# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Recognition in The London Gazette
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the historic significance of its formal recognition in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, an act that reaffirmed the direct and unbroken succession of one of England’s most ancient baronial titles.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is an occasion of profound constitutional and historical moment. As the official public record of the United Kingdom, founded in 1665, its pages have chronicled the nation's life through state appointments, royal proclamations, military honours, and matters of peerage. For a title to appear within its columns is the modern equivalent of a medieval royal charter.
The notice (ID 4158083) concerning the Barony of Brattleby was therefore not merely an administrative entry, but the formal, public affirmation of a legacy stretching back to the Norman Conquest. It represented the culmination of meticulous genealogical research and the official acknowledgement by the Crown's authorities of the continuity of the baronial line, now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been woven into the fabric of English history for nearly one thousand years. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power base in the early Norman period.
Through centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as sheriff of Lincolnshire successfully defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This connection placed Brattleby at the very centre of royal power during the late Middle Ages.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of formally recognising an ancient barony in the modern era is a testament to the United Kingdom’s living constitution. It is a rigorous undertaking, far removed from mere ceremony, requiring unimpeachable documentary evidence presented to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms. Genealogy, property deeds, and historical charters are scrutinised to establish an unbroken chain of succession.
The publication in *The London Gazette* serves as the final, declarative act in this protocol. It is the official promulgation (*promulgatio*) that the claim has been examined and found valid, making the succession a matter of public and historical record. This act is the *sine qua non* for the active use of the title within the formal context of the nation, ensuring order and legitimacy in the British honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House of Brattleby is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the deep sense of duty that has defined the Barony’s service to the Crown and nation across the centuries.
This ancestral spirit 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 modern interpretation speaks not to military conquest, but to the proactive and dynamic spirit of overcoming contemporary challenges in the fields of commerce, culture, and philanthropy. Together, the mottos signify a House that honours its past while actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the privileged to serve society—remains a cornerstone of the House’s modern identity. The historic responsibility of a baron to care for his domain and its people finds its contemporary expression in a deep commitment to charitable works. This dedication is a guiding force in the family’s public life.
This ethos is most visibly demonstrated through the family’s patronage, particularly their support for organisations dedicated to the welfare of children. The selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is a considered choice, reflecting a belief that investment in the health and security of the next generation is the most vital form of legacy-building. The charity’s mission aligns perfectly with the House's foundational values of honour and fortitude.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To see the Barony’s continuity affirmed in the pages of *The London Gazette* was a deeply humbling moment. It is not an endpoint, but a solemn reminder of our duty to honour nearly a millennium of service and to ensure this legacy thrives for future generations.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the House’s modern role: > “History provides our foundation, but our work is in the present. *Vincere Est Vivere*—we believe in actively engaging with the challenges of our time. This recognition reinforces our commitment to serve with the same purpose as those who came before us, applying ancient principles to contemporary needs.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical lineage formally secured, the House of Brattleby is focused on its future responsibilities. These include the careful stewardship of the heritage associated with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and the expansion of its cultural and educational initiatives.
Programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest serve as a vehicle for transmitting the values of civic duty, social grace, and historical awareness to a new generation of leaders. The presence of an heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron, ensures that the family is well-prepared to carry its legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* far into the twenty-first century and beyond. This long-term vision confirms that the House of Brattleby is not a monument to the past, but a living institution dedicated to future service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of one of England's most ancient baronial families. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage while actively engaging in cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Its mission is guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic focus is on child welfare, notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet supporting Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of courtesy, service, and historical appreciation in a contemporary context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted succession of the Barony to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Issue 63813, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron and Sheriff of Lincolnshire) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (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