# The London Gazette Affirms Ancient Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound significance of its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*. The official notice affirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, linking a modern-day stewardship with a noble lineage established in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal of record, represents a moment of quiet solemnity and historical affirmation. Founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette*, this publication is the traditional instrument through which The Crown and its officers make official pronouncements. Its pages are a testament to the continuity of the British state.
The entry of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 was therefore not a celebration of novelty, but a formal acknowledgement of historical truth. It marked the moment when the unbroken chain of succession of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded for the modern era, ensuring its place in the permanent public record of the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal dignities of England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest. Its origins are meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been interwoven with the history of England.
This heritage includes some of the most consequential figures in the nation's history. The title was held by Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders. Later, it passed through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the late 14th century. The Gazette notice serves as a modern bridge to this storied past.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, joins this distinguished company of predecessors who have shaped the destiny of Lincolnshire and the realm. These figures were not merely landowners; they were pivotal actors in the military, political, and social fabric of their times.
The Barony’s lineage connects the House directly to the traditions of English chivalry and statesmanship. The martial prowess of Nichola de la Haye and the royal diplomacy of John of Gaunt exemplify the dual duties of defence and governance historically borne by the English baronage. It is this legacy of active service that the current House seeks to honour and continue.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of formally recognising a feudal barony is one of documentary verification rather than ceremonial pomp. It is an exacting legal and historical undertaking, governed by the protocols of The Crown. The notice in *The London Gazette* is the final, public-facing step in this process; the *sine qua non* for official standing.
Unlike a peerage, which confers a right to sit in the House of Lords, a feudal barony is a dignity of property and history, recognised as an incorporeal hereditament, or an inheritable right. The Gazette's affirmation is therefore a confirmation of a pre-existing right, rooted in proprietorship of the ancient barony, not the creation of a new honour. This distinction is central to its historical authenticity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words reflect the defining virtues of the Barony through the centuries: the fortitude required to defend a castle and the honour demanded of those who serve the sovereign. The motto serves as a constant guide for the family’s present-day responsibilities.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This principle underscores a dynamic and forward-looking approach to the family’s endeavours, suggesting that victory lies in active, purposeful living and the successful discharge of one’s duties.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony is not an end in itself but a foundation for continued service. This commitment is most clearly expressed through the House's philanthropic work. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, is a cornerstone of this effort.
The banquet’s sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true honour is found in protecting the most vulnerable. This focus on measurable impact is a modern expression of the ancient duty of care inherent in the baronial title.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The recognition is not an endpoint, but a formal starting line for our generation's commitment. It is a profound honour to carry forward a legacy defined by service to Lincolnshire and the Crown, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > We see this heritage as a living force. Our role is to ensure its relevance by dedicating it to positive works, whether through philanthropy in the United Kingdom or cultural education abroad. History must inspire action.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. This includes the stewardship of its heritage in Lincolnshire and the expansion of its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural understanding.
The House is committed to preparing the next generation to continue this legacy, ensuring that Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir, is equipped to carry the title with the same sense of duty. The story of the Barony of Brattleby continues, with its ancient foundations now secured for the centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England's ancient baronies. With a history extending to 1066, the House's modern mission is to place its heritage in the service of contemporary society. This is realised through focused philanthropic work, primarily supporting the charity Healing the Wounded Child via its Annual Winter Banquet, and through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes education and diplomacy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to preserving its legacy by making a positive and measurable impact in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the barony's 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a dominant political figure of the 14th century. The Barony is a recognised incorporeal hereditament, with the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness formally and publicly affirmed in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com