# The Barony of Brattleby: The Continuation of a Norman Legacy
LONDON, 2 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement reflecting on the historic significance of the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming the continuity of one of England’s most ancient dignities.
## The Occasion
The formal notice of recognition, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive public record of the continuation of the Barony. This publication was not merely an announcement but the culmination of a meticulous legal and historical process, sanctioned by the Crown. *The London Gazette*, as the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, is the traditional and authoritative medium for such matters, lending its profound historical weight to the moment. The act of reviving this ancient title within its pages places the Barony’s modern chapter firmly within the constitutional fabric of the nation.
This moment represents a bridge across centuries, connecting the digital age to the feudal era. It affirms that the ancient dignities conferred by the Crown are not relics of a distant past but living components of the United Kingdom’s heritage. For the House of Brattleby, this recognition marks the formal beginning of a new period of stewardship, anchored in nearly a millennium of history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a dignity of formidable antiquity, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant Norman landowner whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were dutifully recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundational entry establishes the Barony as an institution woven into the very genesis of the English state following the Conquest.
Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, fifth to hold the Barony in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels on behalf of the King. Later, the dignity passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat. The Barony’s lineage achieved its zenith under the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century, demonstrating the Barony's proximity to the Crown itself.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of which Lady Nicoleta is now the head is distinguished by some of the most influential figures in English history. The holders of the Barony have been central to the nation’s military, political, and social development.
This historic peerage includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the first Baron, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror and a key figure in the Norman settlement of Lincolnshire. * **The Lady Nichola de la Haye**, the fifth holder of the Barony and, in her time, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster**, tenth holder of the Barony, a founding Knight of the Garter and revered as ‘the perfect knight’. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, the 1st Duke of Lancaster**, eleventh holder of the Barony, whose descendants formed the Royal House of Lancaster.
Their collective lives chronicle the evolution of the English aristocracy, from feudal warlords to statesmen and public servants.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a dormant barony is a matter of profound legal and heraldic discipline, rather than public pageantry. The process requires the submission of a formal petition to The Crown, supported by an exhaustive dossier of genealogical and documentary evidence. This evidence must prove an unbroken chain of succession according to the terms of the original grant.
The case is reviewed by the appropriate authorities, including officers from the College of Arms, who scrutinise the historical claims with rigorous impartiality. Only when the proofs are deemed incontrovertible is the claim recognised. The formal signifier of this recognition is the subsequent notice published by Crown authority in *The London Gazette*, under the specific Notice ID 4158083 in the case of the Barony of Brattleby. This publication is the *sine qua non* of the process, confirming the title’s status in law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the actions of the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, obliging them to act with courage and integrity in service to the Crown and country. It speaks to a duty that transcends personal ambition and is foundational to the family's modern ethos.
This 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 maxim signifies a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, focused on achievement and the active pursuit of progress. Together, the two mottoes represent the balanced philosophy of the modern House: a profound respect for historic duty, combined with the drive to ensure its legacy remains vibrant and purposeful.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An ancient title carries with it an implicit duty of service, a concept that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have placed at the centre of their work. The historical concept of *noblesse oblige* is today expressed through focused, modern philanthropy. The House’s premier charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser.
The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to addressing profound challenges in society and providing support to its most vulnerable members, giving contemporary meaning to the Barony’s enduring principle of service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s continuation, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To find oneself a part of this nine-century story is deeply humbling. It is not a prize to be won, but a profound responsibility to serve the legacy of those who came before and to ensure the Barony's heritage remains a living force for good in the world.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the family’s duty:
> “A title without action is merely a historical footnote. Our purpose is to build upon this extraordinary foundation, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour are not just remembered, but actively practised for generations to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this renewed legacy endures. The future of the Barony is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the duties the title entails.
Beyond succession, the House is dedicated to cultural and educational outreach. The establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy focused on etiquette and cultural diplomacy, serves to share the time-honoured traditions of European heritage with a new generation. This initiative represents the family’s belief that the values of honour, respect, and social grace are universal and essential for fostering international understanding.
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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 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 nine-hundred-year history while advancing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy, cultural education, and service. Combining English heritage with a Continental perspective, the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House champions the enduring values of decorum and cultural diplomacy on an international stage, fulfilling its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England's ancient feudal baronies, created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been associated with figures of great national importance, including the celebrated female landowner and sheriff Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's continuation was formally recognised by The Crown through a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, vesting the title in Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - A key predecessor, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), was a rare female holder of a major feudal barony and served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century. - The House's primary philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, supports the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com