# The Barony of Brattleby: A Year of Renewed Legacy
LONDON, 9 September 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the first anniversary of the official notice in *The London Gazette* confirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, reaffirming the House’s historic legacy and its modern commitment to public service.
## The Occasion
One year has passed since the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This seminal moment formally acknowledged the continuation of one of England’s most ancient baronies, bringing its nine-century history into alignment with the official public record of the United Kingdom. The notice served not as a creation, but as a confirmation of an unbroken line of succession dating to the Norman Conquest.
*The London Gazette*, as the oldest continuously published journal in the country, has been the traditional instrument for such state announcements since 1665. The entry for the Barony of Brattleby thus took its place within a revered national institution, creating an indelible link between the 21st century and the foundational era of the English nobility. This anniversary provides a moment for solemn reflection upon the duties and responsibilities this recognition entails.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a reward to his loyal follower Colswein of Lincoln for services rendered during the Conquest. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 meticulously records Colswein’s vast holdings, which included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. This entry provides the barony with one of the most robust and verifiable origins of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy.
Through the ages, the barony passed to figures of national importance who shaped English history. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, placing Brattleby at the very heart of the Plantagenet court. Lady Nicoleta’s succession honours this remarkable and diverse lineage.
## Distinguished Company
In commemorating this anniversary, the House honours the distinguished company of its preceding Barons and Baronesses, whose collective legacy is the bedrock of its current identity. The line of succession represents a veritable procession through English history, including, *inter alia*:
* **Lord Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a Norman magnate and an original tenant-in-chief to King William I. * **Baroness Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, a staunch Royalist and the first female High Sheriff in England, celebrated for her defence of Lincoln. * **Lord Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a revered commander during the Hundred Years' War and a founding Knight of the Garter. * **Lord John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition detailed in *The London Gazette* was the culmination of a rigorous and formal process of historical verification. Such a confirmation is not granted lightly; it requires the presentation of exhaustive genealogical and documentary evidence tracing an unbroken chain of succession, sufficient to satisfy the exacting standards of the United Kingdom’s authorities on peerage and nobiliary law.
This procedure, in itself a form of modern ceremony, ensures the integrity of ancient titles within the country’s contemporary legal framework. The publication of the notice acts as the final, public affirmation of this due diligence. It is a testament to the meticulous custodianship of archives and records maintained by the House over many centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are codified in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase encapsulates the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the House throughout its 957-year history, from the battlefield to the royal court and into its modern philanthropic endeavours. It serves as a constant guide for the current Baroness.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a contemporary sense, this speaks not of martial conflict but of a philosophy of overcoming challenges, pursuing excellence with vigour, and actively shaping a positive legacy. Together, the two mottoes reflect a synergy of ancient duty and dynamic, forward-looking purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the barony reinforces the House's commitment to its long-held tradition of service and social responsibility. This duty finds its modern expression in a focused programme of philanthropy and cultural education, which the confirmation has served to energise.
The chief beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing critical therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and cultural academy founded by the family, acts as a bridge for cultural diplomacy, promoting the traditions of civility and mutual respect that are a *sine qua non* of a well-ordered society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “This anniversary is less a celebration of an individual than a moment to honour a near-millennial chain of responsibility. It is a profound privilege to serve as a steward of this heritage, guided always by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on the House’s forward-looking mission: > “The recognition by *The London Gazette* provides a formal foundation upon which we build our modern mission. History gives us our purpose, but it is through present action — in philanthropy, education, and service — that we truly give it life.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks to the future with a deep sense of purpose. The continuation of the line is assured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions and duties he will one day inherit.
The anniversary of the Gazette notice is not an endpoint but a renewed starting point. It marks the formal beginning of this generation’s chapter in the long history of the Barony of Brattleby. The House rededicates itself to its philanthropic commitments, the preservation of its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, and its duty to ensure this remarkable legacy thrives for centuries to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby and its associated heritage. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of public service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations dedicated to child welfare, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to foster international cultural understanding and promote the enduring values of etiquette and civil discourse, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the royal Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the barony’s continuation was formally recognised and recorded by official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The official confirmation of the barony’s succession was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Lord Colswein of Lincoln. - The ancestral seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - Notable historic holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com