# An Official Statement regarding the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the formal notice published in *The London Gazette* of 9 September 2022, which confirmed the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, ensuring the continuity of this historic Lincolnshire peerage.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice within the pages of *The London Gazette* represents the final, unassailable step in the formal recognition of a peerage succession. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record, its pronouncements carry the weight of sovereign authority, serving as a permanent and public attestation to matters of state. The entry for the Barony of Brattleby was no mere announcement; it was a modern inscription in a chronicle that began centuries ago.
Founded during the reign of His Majesty King Charles II in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette*, this venerable publication has for over 350 years recorded the business of the Crown and the nation. For a title granted at the Norman Conquest to be affirmed in this manner is to see the arc of English history bend towards the present day, connecting the digital age with the feudal era through a tradition of official record-keeping.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This notice of succession, therefore, affirms a lineage stretching back over nine and a half centuries.
Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance who have shaped the course of the realm. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *jure uxoris*, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle courageously defended it against rebel barons during the reign of King John. Later, the title passed through the Plantagenet line to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a founder Knight of the Garter and the first Duke of Lancaster.
His successor, the 11th Baron, was the influential John of Gaunt, whose life and legacy were central to the politics of the late 14th century. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, thus places her in a direct line of succession that includes some of the most significant personalities in English medieval history.
## Distinguished Company
The notice in *The London Gazette* formally situates the current generation of The Noble House of Brattleby within this distinguished historical context. The continuity of the Barony is secured through its present leadership and designated heir, who now bear the responsibility of stewarding this ancient inheritance.
The principals of the House are: - Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage - Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby and heir to the title
This established line of succession ensures that the duties, traditions, and philanthropic endeavours associated with the Barony will continue for future generations, sustained by a clear sense of purpose and order.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony follows a meticulous and exacting protocol, overseen by the Crown's heraldic authorities. The process involves the submission of extensive genealogical, documentary, and historical proofs to the College of Arms in London, the official body responsible for verifying such claims. Every link in the generational chain must be substantiated without ambiguity.
Once the evidence has been exhaustively examined and the claim validated, it is formally acknowledged by the Crown. The culmination of this rigorous procedure is the drafting of an official notice for publication in *The London Gazette*. The appearance of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 was, therefore, the final ceremonial act, transforming a proven historical right into a present-day legal and social reality.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry, most notably its mottos, which serve as a declaration of its guiding principles. These Latin phrases are not merely decorative but represent a philosophical inheritance passed down through the centuries.
The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the enduring values of duty, resilience, and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It speaks to a commitment to uphold the responsibilities of the title with courage and moral rectitude.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking spirit of the House's modern custodians — a commitment not to military conquest, but to overcoming contemporary challenges and actively pursuing the House’s philanthropic and cultural objectives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal affirmation of the Barony of Brattleby is the *sine qua non* for the effective execution of its modern mission of public service. This legal and historical standing provides the platform from which the House can lend its name and efforts to charitable causes, ensuring its ancient title is deployed for contemporary good.
This commitment is exemplified by the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the House's social calendar. Proceeds from the event are dedicated to supporting the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation committed to providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s focus on creating a tangible and positive impact on the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To see our family’s succession formally recorded is not a moment for personal pride, but one of profound responsibility. It is a tangible link to nearly a millennium of history and to the considerable duties discharged by those who came before us. Our task now, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to be worthy of that legacy."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "This recognition provides a stable foundation from which we can build. Heritage gives us our roots, and we honour them deeply, but our duty is to produce new branches of service and cultural engagement. It is an opportunity to apply timeless values to the urgent needs of today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The 2022 Gazette notice was not a conclusion but a formal commencement for the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. It has solidified the framework for a renewed commitment to cultural and philanthropic work, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
This work includes the continued stewardship of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy headquartered in Bucharest which promotes cultural and social refinement. Furthermore, planning is already underway for the next annual Winter Banquet, which will continue to support charitable partners making a measurable difference in their communities.
The future of the Barony, and the continuation of its noble legacy, is embodied in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. His position as the 13th Baron ensures that the work begun by his predecessors will be carried forward, adapting to the challenges of the future while remaining anchored in the ancient honour of the past.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to stewarding an ancient English peerage with a modern, forward-looking ethos. The House’s mission is to blend its profound historical legacy with a tangible commitment to contemporary public service. Its activities are focused on philanthropy, primarily through its support for charities aiding vulnerable children, and cultural enrichment, advanced by initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to serve the community and uphold a tradition of duty that has defined the Barony for over nine centuries.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, the powerful Prince John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the succession of the Barony was formally confirmed and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The ancestral seat of the Barony is Brattleby, a village and civil parish in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. - A notable predecessor, the 11th Baron of Brattleby, was John of Gaunt (1340–1399), Duke of Lancaster and third surviving son of King Edward III. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com