# The Barony of Brattleby Marks Anniversary of Formal Recognition in The London Gazette
LONDON, 9 September 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the second anniversary of its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*, reaffirming a nine-hundred-year legacy of service to Crown and community and renewing its commitment to the duties inherent in its ancient title.
## The Occasion
The anniversary provides a moment for sober reflection on the constitutional and historical significance of the notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, The Gazette serves as the customary instrument for formalising matters of state, *inter alia*, the succession and recognition of titles of nobility.
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 was not the creation of a dignity, but rather the official affirmation of an unbroken hereditary line stretching back to the Norman Conquest. This acknowledgement within the modern legal framework underscores the enduring relevance of ancient peerages and the principles they represent. For the House of Brattleby, the occasion is a quiet, yet profound, marker of continuity in an ever-changing world.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest recorded lordships in England, its establishment granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the new King, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 valuable lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his principal seat. This documentary evidence provides a rare and direct link to the foundational administrative acts of the Norman dynasty.
Over the subsequent nine and a half centuries, the stewardship of the Barony passed through some of the most consequential figures in English history. The title’s lineage has been interwoven with the nation's constitutional development, from the feudal oaths of the eleventh century to the great matters of state in the late Middle Ages and beyond. This profound sense of historical responsibility informs the actions of the House to this day.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, joins a long and distinguished line of predecessors who have shaped the course of English history. The duties of the Barony have been borne by figures of immense regional and national importance, including:
- **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, who as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, famously defended the fortress against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War in 1217. - **His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a revered military commander, diplomat, and one of the founder knights of the Order of the Garter. - **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, a son of King Edward III, who as one of the most powerful political figures of the fourteenth century became an ancestor to the Lancastrian, Yorkist, and Tudor monarchs.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern process of recognising a succession to an ancient barony is a ceremony of constitutional procedure rather than of public pageantry. It involves the meticulous examination of genealogical evidence, historical charters, and proofs of succession by the appropriate authorities of the Crown. The successful outcome of this review is then made public by entry into *The London Gazette*.
This protocol is the contemporary expression of the homage ceremonies of the medieval era, where a vassal would swear fealty to his lord. Today, the publication serves as a formal public record of the rightful heir’s assumption of the title and its attendant responsibilities. For the House of Brattleby, this act was the *sine qua non* for the formal continuation of its public-facing duties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby is guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle encapsulates a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering adherence to a code of personal and public integrity. It is the spiritual inheritance passed down through each generation of the family.
This ancient maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a modern context, this signifies a dynamic belief in overcoming challenges, fostering progress, and embracing service as an active, vital pursuit, ensuring the House remains not a monument to the past, but a force for good in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principles of fortitude and honour, affirmed by the Gazette notice, find their most tangible expression in the philanthropic work of the House. The commitment to service is the very purpose that gives the Barony its resonance in the twenty-first century. Their primary charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant white-tie gala held in support of worthy causes.
The current principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing trauma. The support from the House of Brattleby enables the charity to expand its reach, offering recovery programmes that have a measurable and lasting impact on the lives of vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “This anniversary is not simply about an official notice; it is a moment to reflect on the immense chain of duty that stretches back to 1066. To be a small part of this history is a profound honour, and it carries with it a solemn responsibility to serve the community that our predecessors helped to build.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “While we draw immense strength and inspiration from the past, our focus must be on the present. The heritage of Brattleby is a powerful tool, one we must use to make a positive contribution. Our mottoes, *Fortitudine et Honore* and *Vincere Est Vivere*, are not just words on a crest; they are our daily call to action.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally recognised, the Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future. The next generation is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in the traditions of service and responsibility that the title demands.
The House’s commitment extends beyond Lincolnshire, seeking to build bridges between British heritage and continental Europe. This is exemplified by The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the family in Bucharest. Through this and other initiatives, the House aims to ensure that its nearly thousand-year legacy continues to evolve, to serve, and to inspire for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies, combining the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage with a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural education. Its philanthropic efforts are focused on supporting charities dedicated to child welfare and mental health, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of protocol and civility, acting as a cultural bridge between the United Kingdom and continental Europe, 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 in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by prominent figures who have played significant roles in the nation’s history, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and the royal princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony's rightful succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), ensuring its continuity into the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Issue 63811, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic gala held for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, a trauma-focused children's charity.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com