# A Proclamation on the Official Recognition of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, [Current Date] —** The Noble House of Brattleby today formally acknowledges the official recognition of its ancient barony by *The London Gazette*. This affirmation in the United Kingdom’s official public record serves as the contemporary confirmation of a title originating in the eleventh century.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is an occasion of profound historical and legal significance. As the official journal of record for the United Kingdom since 1665, its pages document the formal business of the nation, from state appointments to military honours. The entry for The Noble House of Brattleby, bearing the Notice ID 4158083 and published on 9 September 2022, is therefore not the creation of a new title but the modern re-affirmation of a dormant one.
This public registration is the culmination of meticulous historical and genealogical research, providing an unbroken chain of evidence from its Norman origins to the present day. For a barony with deep roots in the fabric of English history, this official notice is the *sine qua non* of its formal standing in the twenty-first century, clarifying its position within the United Kingdom’s honours system.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a reward for fealty following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the barony as a significant power in a newly unified England. Through nine centuries, the title has been borne by figures central to the nation’s story.
Among its most distinguished predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces in the early thirteenth century, a testament to the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later, the barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a revered military commander and diplomat. The title was subsequently held by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the late medieval period. This gazetting formally connects the current House to this illustrious and unbroken lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of this ancient barony is vested in the members of The Noble House of Brattleby, who continue its long tradition of service and duty.
The title is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who directs the House’s cultural and philanthropic vision. She is supported in these endeavours by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron. Together, they are responsible for preserving the barony’s heritage while ensuring its relevance in the modern world.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of affirming an ancient title of honour in *The London Gazette* is governed by rigorous and long-established protocol. It requires the submission of a formal declaration to His Majesty's Stationery Office, which is responsible for the Gazette’s publication. This declaration must be supported by extensive, verifiable evidence, *inter alia*, from public archives, manorial records, and official charters.
Once submitted, the claim undergoes a thorough review to ensure its historical accuracy and legal validity. Only upon successful verification is the notice approved for publication, entering it into the permanent public record of the United Kingdom. This formal procedure underscores the seriousness of such claims and distinguishes them as matters of verified historical fact rather than private assertion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which encapsulate its enduring values. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), has guided the barony for centuries. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' reflects a chivalric commitment to duty, integrity, and service to the realm.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not as a call to martial conquest, but as a commitment to overcoming modern challenges, striving for excellence, and embracing a life of purpose and positive action. It signifies the dynamic energy that the current House brings to its ancient obligations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The official recognition of the barony reinforces the House's commitment to its philanthropic mission, which is the cornerstone of its modern identity. The House of Brattleby directs its charitable efforts toward supporting vulnerable children and promoting cultural education, viewing its historical standing as a platform for meaningful social contribution.
The primary vehicle for this work is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser for the House’s chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have suffered from trauma and adversity, and the House is proud to champion its vital mission. This commitment to philanthropy is a contemporary expression of the noblesse oblige that has defined the barony throughout its history.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > This official recognition is not an end, but a formal beginning for our generation's stewardship. We feel the weight and privilege of history, from Colswein to John of Gaunt, and our foremost duty is to honour that legacy through service to the community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > While our roots are deeply embedded in Lincolnshire's soil, our vision is contemporary. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* guides our efforts to create tangible, positive impact through our philanthropic and educational work. History must be a living force.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to expand its cultural and philanthropic activities. Plans are underway to further catalogue the baronial archives, making key historical documents accessible to scholars to illuminate aspects of medieval governance and local history.
The House remains committed to its flagship philanthropic event, the annual Winter Banquet, and to expanding the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, and with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun prepared to continue this work, the Barony of Brattleby is poised to carry its nine-century legacy of fortitude and honour long into the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of 'living heritage', which channels its historical legacy into contemporary philanthropic and cultural endeavours. Its primary charitable focus is supporting disadvantaged children through its patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, principally funded by its annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its cultural mission internationally through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to duty that spans nearly a millennium.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as controlling 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the barony’s continuous historical lineage and the rights of its current holder were formally recognised and recorded 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 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th). - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com