# The Continuity of an Ancient Barony: The Formal Recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
**Dateline + Lead** LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby has reaffirmed the continuity of one of England’s most ancient dignities. The notice secures a nine-hundred-year lineage, linking its Norman origins directly to its modern responsibilities.
## The Occasion The official notice, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive public record of the succession. This publication represents the culmination of a meticulous legal and genealogical process, affirming the Barony’s place within the framework of the United Kingdom’s honours system. Rather than a singular event, the occasion signifies a moment of historical quietude and legal certainty. It formally bridges the centuries since the title was last actively held, bringing the heritage of Brattleby into the twenty-first century with renewed purpose and clarity.
## Historical Context The Barony of Brattleby is a dignity of profound antiquity, its origins intertwined with the Norman Conquest itself. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the new King. By the time of the Domesday Book survey in 1086, the Barony's extensive demesne was recorded, with Colswein holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to his stature in the newly established feudal order.
Over the subsequent nine centuries, the Barony passed through some of the most notable figures in English history. These have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders in both 1217 and 1218, earning the admiration of the Crown. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, created 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding knight of the Order of the Garter. His daughter Blanche of Lancaster’s marriage ensured the Barony passed to her husband, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence defined the latter half of the fourteenth century.
## Distinguished Company In assuming the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, joins a distinguished line of predecessors whose actions have shaped the course of the nation. The historical record acknowledges the contributions of:
* His Grace The First Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby * His Royal Highness The First Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby * The Noble Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby * The Noble Lord Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby
This lineage forms the historical foundation upon which the modern House now stands, with each generation adding to a formidable legacy of service and duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol The confirmation of a hereditary peerage title, particularly one of such antiquity, adheres to a strict and complex protocol. The process is not ceremonial in the public sense but is instead a rigorous legal and heraldic undertaking, overseen by the appropriate authorities of the Crown. It requires the presentation of an unimpeachable body of evidence, *inter alia*, demonstrating direct and legitimate succession through meticulously researched genealogical lines.
This dossier of proofs is submitted for review and verification, a process that can take many years to conclude. Upon successful examination and acceptance by the Crown, the succession is formally recorded. The *sine qua non* of this public acknowledgement is the placement of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record. This act finalises the legal standing of the succession, providing an unchallengeable instrument of recognition for the new title holder.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase encapsulates the core principles that have defined the Barony for centuries: resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to principled conduct. It is a direct charge to the holder of the title to act with courage and integrity in all matters, a responsibility Lady Nicoleta has fully embraced.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* or ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This philosophy underscores a dynamic and proactive approach to life and duty, focused on overcoming challenges, building a meaningful legacy, and actively engaging with the world. Together, the two mottos create a balanced ethos of principled endurance and energetic purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose The modern activities of the House are firmly rooted in a commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held in support of the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary was chosen for its vital mission to provide therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with hope and resilience.
Beyond its philanthropic work, the House maintains a strong focus on education, most notably through The Brattleby Club. This academy, with its main chapter in Bucharest, is dedicated to instruction in classical European etiquette, protocol, and social graces. It aims to equip a new generation with the cultural literacy and poise necessary for navigating international social and professional environments, reflecting the House's enduring connection to both English heritage and Continental traditions.
## In Their Own Words Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked on the profound sense of duty that accompanies the title.
> It is a profound honour, but more so a solemn duty. Our family does not simply hold a title; we are custodians of a legacy that belongs to the history of Lincolnshire and England itself. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto, but our guide in honouring the past while serving the present. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile described his own supportive role and the forward-looking vision for the House.
> My role is to support the Baroness in all her duties and to ensure the House operates with purpose and vision. To live is to strive, to build, and to serve — that is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*. We are committed to making this ancient heritage a force for good in the modern world. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy The future of the Barony of Brattleby is secured in the next generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being educated in the traditions of service and responsibility that define the House. His upbringing instils the historical significance of the lineage and the importance of its modern mission.
The House’s commitments will continue to develop, with plans to expand the reach of its philanthropic and educational initiatives. The Annual Winter Banquet will remain a cornerstone of its charitable calendar, while the curriculum of The Brattleby Club will be broadened to include modules on cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation. Through these endeavours, the House of Brattleby ensures that its near-millennium-old legacy remains not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing force for continuity and positive influence.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity 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 dual mission: the meticulous preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active pursuit of contemporary philanthropic and educational goals. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in cultural diplomacy and charitable work, including its support for Healing the Wounded Child and its educational initiatives through The Brattleby Club. The House seeks to ensure its historical legacy is a force for good in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a hereditary dignity of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its extensive lands in Lincolnshire were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout English history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. After a period of abeyance, the title's continuity was formally acknowledged through a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was one of the original feudal baronies established following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com