# Lady Nicoleta Vasile Formally Recognised as 12th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby honours a lineage dating to AD 1066. This new chapter ensures the continuity of the Lincolnshire barony's nine-century legacy through a renewed commitment to heritage, culture, and public service.
## The Occasion
The formal affirmation of Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby represents a moment of significant historical continuity. The recognition, officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, is not the creation of a new dignity but the confirmation of an ancient one, underscoring the legal and heraldic rigour that governs England’s oldest hereditary titles.
This acknowledgement marks the formal beginning of a new period of stewardship for one of the realm's original Norman baronies. Set against the backdrop of the historic county of Lincolnshire, the barony’s ancestral seat, the transition ushers in a renewed focus on preserving and promoting a heritage that has been interwoven with the history of England for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the most venerable in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant magnate whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, establishing the barony’s foundational importance from the outset.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony of Brattleby has been held by figures of national prominence. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. The title later passed through the hands of Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence defined late 14th-century England. This lineage places the barony at the very heart of the nation’s political and constitutional development.
## Distinguished Company
The current leadership of the House of Brattleby is stewarded by a dedicated family committed to its enduring legacy. At its head is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who directs the House’s cultural and philanthropic strategy.
Lady Nicoleta is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who shares her commitment to service and the preservation of the family’s heritage. The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, the young Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. Together, they represent a union of respect for tradition and a dynamic vision for the future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, succession to an ancient Barony-by-tenure is affirmed through painstaking historical and genealogical verification, culminating in a formal notice of recognition. The publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, serves as the definitive, legally sound instrument of this process. This administrative act is the contemporary successor to the medieval ceremonies of homage and fealty.
This protocol ensures that the holder of the dignity can be demonstrably and unimpeachably traced to the original grant. It is a testament to the meticulous record-keeping of English heraldic and governmental authorities, providing a clear and unbroken chain of succession that is a *sine qua non* for titles of such profound antiquity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. This Latin phrase, translating as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’, speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the barons throughout history, from defending castles to advising monarchs. It remains the cornerstone of the House's ethos today.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, or ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This maxim reflects a forward-looking spirit of achievement and purpose. It signifies a proactive and energetic approach to the House’s responsibilities, ensuring that its ancient legacy is not merely preserved but actively advanced through meaningful modern endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, the House of Brattleby continues its long-standing commitment to charitable works. The centrepiece of this activity is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a significant fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation.
Healing the Wounded Child is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to programmes that offer safe environments, counselling, and rehabilitative activities, delivering measurable improvements in the mental health and well-being of vulnerable young people. The House’s patronage provides a vital platform for this essential work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > It is a profound honour to serve as a custodian of this ancient barony. My focus is not on the title itself, but on the duty it represents: to preserve the heritage entrusted to us by nine centuries of history, and to ensure it remains a force for good in our community. We build upon the foundations laid by figures like Nichola de la Haye, *fortitudine et honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The legacy of Brattleby is a living one, not a museum piece. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the imperative not merely to exist, but to strive and to succeed in our endeavours. We are dedicated to applying that same vigour to our cultural and philanthropic work, creating tangible, positive outcomes that honour the past by serving the present.
## A Continuing Legacy
The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness marks not an end, but a beginning. The Noble House of Brattleby is actively engaged in a programme of cultural and educational initiatives designed to bring its unique history to a wider audience. This includes ongoing archival research and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes cultural exchange.
Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are committed to reinforcing the barony’s philanthropic impact and its role as a guardian of English heritage. Their stewardship is dedicated to ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby, one of William the Conqueror's original creations, continues to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society, paving the way for the eventual succession of the 13th Baron.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year history and the active promotion of its values through cultural and philanthropic work. Its charitable focus is centred on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child organisation, primarily funded by the House’s Annual Winter Banquet. The House also fosters cultural education and diplomatic exchange through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s commitment to service, honour, and global community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the barony has been held by some of England’s most influential figures, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. As a Barony-by-tenure, its continuity is a matter of historical record, and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the 12th Baroness was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Castellan of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The Noble House of Brattleby's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com