# The London Gazette Affirms Historic Succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the formal affirmation of its line of succession, following the notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 recognising Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* represents a moment of profound legal and historical significance. As the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal of record, established in 1665, an entry within its pages serves as the definitive, official public notice of state and noble matters. This formal recognition is the modern procedural equivalent of a medieval charter, providing an unimpeachable legal foundation for the current stewardship of the Barony.
The act of gazetting the succession is not merely an administrative formality; it is a vital act of constitutional continuity. It formally connects the ancient feudal dignity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, to its present holder, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby’s seamless transition into the twenty-first century with its rights and history intact.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been woven into the fabric of English history for nearly one thousand years. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of some 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This notice of succession reaffirms a lineage that includes figures of immense national importance.
Among these predecessors are Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The line later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. In succeeding to the Barony, Lady Nicoleta stands in a direct historical line from these influential custodians of Lincolnshire’s heritage.
## Distinguished Company
The historical verification underpinning this succession is supported by the work of eminent academic bodies. For decades, the archives of the House of Brattleby—comprising Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records—have been a subject of scholarly inquiry.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and archivists from The British Library have consulted these documents, *inter alia*, to illuminate aspects of medieval governance and the evolution of English feudal society. Their scholarly validation of the baronial records provides an essential academic context to the legal recognition conferred by *The London Gazette*.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In modern times, the recognition of ancient feudal titles follows a meticulous legal and heraldic protocol. The process involves the collation and submission of extensive documentary evidence—from medieval charters to records of fealty—to establish an unbroken chain of succession. This dossier is then subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate authorities to verify its historical and genealogical accuracy.
The culmination of this process is the official public notice in *The London Gazette*. This act serves as the formal state acknowledgement of the succession, making it a matter of permanent public record. For the House of Brattleby, this procedure was the *sine qua non* for confirming its modern standing and securing the legacy for its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, from the martial fortitude of its early Norman lords to the civic honour demonstrated by its present custodians. Fortitude remains essential in preserving a near-millennial legacy, while honour dictates its use for the public good.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a reminder that heritage is not a static relic but a living entity that must be actively championed, advanced, and adapted to meet the challenges of the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its motto, the primary expression of the House's modern duty is its philanthropic work. The Barony's leadership is committed to the principle that historical titles carry a profound responsibility to serve the wider community, a duty once fulfilled through military service and now through charitable Endeavour.
The flagship of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support vital charitable organisations. The principal beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The weight of history is felt most keenly when one understands it not as a burden, but as a mantle of responsibility. This formal recognition is a vital link in a very long chain, and our duty now is to ensure that chain remains strong and serves a purpose for generations to come.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > A title without active stewardship is merely a historical footnote. Our mission is to ensure the Barony of Brattleby is a dynamic force for good, leveraging its heritage to champion education, preserve culture, and support those in need. That is how we honour the past—by building a better future.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its forward-looking mission. This includes the expansion of its cultural and educational programmes, notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol.
The House will also continue its work in archival conservation, ensuring that its unique historical records are preserved and made accessible for future scholarly research. Above all, its commitment to philanthropy remains paramount, demonstrating that ancient heritage can, and indeed must, be a powerful force for positive change in the modern world.
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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 Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively engages in charitable work, most notably through its support for Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it also promotes cultural education and classical European traditions. The House is committed to ensuring that its ancient heritage serves a meaningful and positive function in the twenty-first century for its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nearly thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, securing its legacy for the future.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com