# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Anniversary of Official Recognition
**LONDON, 9 September 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Barony’s formal notice of succession in The London Gazette. The notice confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, connecting the modern House to its unbroken, 957-year history.
## The Occasion
In the quiet environs of their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the anniversary was observed with private reflection rather than public ceremony. As the late summer light settled over the historic landscape that has sustained the Barony for centuries, the day provided a fitting moment to contemplate the duties of stewardship and the long thread of English history of which the House is an integral part. Such anniversaries serve not as celebrations of the holders, but as solemn acknowledgements of the institution itself and the responsibilities it entails.
The occasion reinforces the transition from a dormant period to a phase of active, modernised leadership under Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. It is a testament to the resilience of ancient titles and their capacity for renewal in the twenty-first century, guided by the House's enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The official notice published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083) was a significant modern milestone in a lineage dating to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who by the time of the Domesday Book of 1086 was recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This extensive holding established the Barony as a formidable power in the region from its inception.
Over the subsequent nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most consequential figures in the nation’s history. The succession has been a matter of public record, documented through pipe rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records which testify to the Barony's continuous role in the governance of the realm. This documentary trail provides an unbroken chain of provenance, connecting the current House directly to its medieval origins.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta follows in the path of remarkable predecessors whose actions shaped the course of English history. She joins a distinguished company that includes, *inter alia*:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, the Fifth Baroness *suo jure*, who as hereditary constable famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War, a pivotal moment in the reign of King John. * **Henry of Grosmont**, the Tenth Baron, a celebrated military commander, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. He was later created the first Duke of Lancaster, one of the most powerful nobles of the fourteenth century. * **John of Gaunt**, the Eleventh Baron by right of his wife, Blanche of Lancaster. As the son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV, his stewardship of Brattleby placed the Barony at the very centre of royal power and Lancastrian ascendancy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of the Barony's succession followed established formal protocols of the United Kingdom. Publication in *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published newspaper in the country and an official journal of record for the Crown, is the *sine qua non* for formalising such matters of peerage and honours. This procedure, which has evolved over centuries, ensures that the succession is officially and publicly documented, providing legal and historical certainty.
The notice serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter or royal decree, a declarative act that inscribes the succession into the permanent public record. It represents the culmination of meticulous genealogical and archival research, confirming the rights of the heir according to the ancient laws and customs governing the peerage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is codified in its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its history and guiding principles. The House motto, **Fortitudine et Honore**, translates from the Latin as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase encapsulates the core values of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity—qualities demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, **Vincere Est Vivere**, meaning ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophy of dynamic purpose: to overcome challenges, to make a meaningful impact, and to live a life of active and constructive service. Together, the mottos reflect a balance of historic duty and forward-looking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Guided by its principle of duty, the modern House of Brattleby is committed to a mission of targeted philanthropy. The centrepiece of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a designated charitable beneficiary. The proceeds from this event are directed to Healing the Wounded Child, a notable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true honour is found in service to the most vulnerable. By focusing its efforts, the House aims to provide measurable and meaningful support, contributing to the vital work of healing and recovery for a new generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, commented: > “This day is a moment for quiet reflection, not of personal achievement, but of a profound historical continuity. We are stewards of a lineage that stretches back to the Conquest, and our every action is guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. It is a privilege to carry this inheritance forward.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “While we honour the past with the greatest respect, our focus remains firmly on the present and future. To us, *Vincere Est Vivere* speaks to overcoming challenges and making a tangible, positive impact through our philanthropic and educational work. Service is a living verb.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally secured, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building a lasting legacy of cultural preservation and social contribution. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is paramount to ensuring this continuity for the next generation.
The House’s work continues through its various initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest to foster cross-cultural understanding. Preparations are also underway for the upcoming annual Winter Banquet, which remains the cornerstone of the family’s philanthropic calendar. Through these efforts, the Barony of Brattleby reaffirms its enduring relevance and its commitment to serving the wider community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of preserving its unique 957-year heritage while making a tangible, positive impact through targeted philanthropy and cultural education. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary philanthropic focus is on charities supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet. Its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, aim to promote civility and traditional European etiquette for a modern audience, reflecting a commitment to service, honour, and continuity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been associated with pivotal figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's succession was formally confirmed to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose rights were officially recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of the Barony of Brattleby and 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com