# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Formal Recognition of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the anniversary and enduring significance of its formal recognition by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*. This notice affirmed the continuation of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, first granted in 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 in *The London Gazette* served as the definitive public instrument affirming the Barony of Brattleby's succession in the modern era. As the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal of record, appearing in the *Gazette* carries a unique legal and historical weight, a tradition dating back to its first printing in 1665.
This official entry was not a creation but rather an affirmation of an unbroken chain of title. It formally recorded the Barony's descent to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The moment connects the House’s present-day responsibilities with a heritage stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational survey remains a cornerstone of the Barony’s legal and historical provenance.
Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion in the 13th century. Later holders include the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of late medieval England.
This lineage underscores a history not merely of title, but of significant service, military command, and close counsel to the Crown. The 2022 notice is the modern chapter in this long and storied narrative.
## Distinguished Company
The Barony has passed through families whose names are woven into the fabric of English history. Its holders represent a continuity of leadership and allegiance: - **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron**, a direct grantee of William the Conqueror and a key figure in the establishment of Norman authority in the north. - **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron**, a rare example of a powerful female hereditary sheriff and castellan in medieval England, whose loyalty to King John was instrumental during the First Barons' War. - **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron**, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter, a renowned diplomat, soldier, and the first Duke of Lancaster. - **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, 11th Baron**, son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV, making him an ancestor of all subsequent English monarchs.
The current House honours this distinguished company by embracing its own role as custodian of this remarkable heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The validation of an ancient barony in the 21st century is a matter of meticulous legal and heraldic protocol. It involves extensive documentary research, genealogical proof, and formal submission to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms in London. The process is the modern administrative equivalent of the medieval rites of homage and fealty.
The successful conclusion of these efforts is marked by a public notice in *The London Gazette*. This publication serves as the official and incontrovertible record, recognised by law and historical precedent. It is the *sine qua non* for the barony's formal standing, acting as the final seal on a rigorous process of historical verification. The dress code for this 'occasion' is not one of silk and ermine, but of painstaking scholarship and legal precision.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its arms and mottoes. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all its endeavours. It reflects the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code upheld by Henry of Grosmont.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of achievement, enterprise, and the will to make a meaningful impact in the present day. Together, the mottoes symbolise a House that honours its past while actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Formal recognition of the Barony provides a stable and recognised platform from which the House can more effectively pursue its philanthropic mission. The stewardship of a historical title is understood by the House not as a privilege, but as a responsibility to serve the wider community.
The central focus of this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to benefit Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides essential therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, offering them pathways to recovery and resilience. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to addressing profound societal needs with tangible, compassionate action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “This recognition is less a destination than a starting point. It is the solemn affirmation of a duty of care we owe to this ancient lineage, to the community it has historically served, and to the charitable work we are committed to today. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto; it is our mandate.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History gifts us a platform, but it is our actions in the present that define our purpose. The legal affirmation of the Barony strengthens our resolve to build a modern legacy of positive impact, whether through philanthropy in Britain or cultural diplomacy in Europe. It is in this active contribution that we truly live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. This includes the careful stewardship of the heritage embodied in its Lincolnshire seat and the continuation of its charitable commitments. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, in the principles of duty and service is a paramount priority.
The House will also expand the activities of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and professional refinement. These twin pillars—honouring heritage in England and building cultural bridges in Europe—will define the continuing legacy of the Barony of Brattleby under its current leadership.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into supporting charitable causes, most notably its patronage of organisations dedicated to children's welfare. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to build a legacy of meaningful public service that honours its profound historical roots while actively addressing the needs of the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original lands are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by a succession of England’s most notable families and individuals, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The Barony's uninterrupted descent and modern standing have been formally affirmed through a notice of recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (1340–1399), Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com