# A Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby and The London Gazette
**LONDON, 23 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*, reflecting on the nine-century continuity of the Barony and its place within the historical and constitutional fabric of the United Kingdom.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has taken this anniversary as a moment for quiet reflection. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 was not a creation, but a formal affirmation of an unbroken lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest. This act, recorded in the nation’s oldest official public journal, served as the modern-day counterpart to the royal charters of old.
For centuries, *The London Gazette* has been the instrument through which matters of state, honours, and appointments are placed upon the permanent record. To appear within its pages is to be woven into the official narrative of the nation; a tradition that has ensured the orderly transference of titles and responsibilities, *inter alia*, for over 350 years. For the House of Brattleby, this occasion is a sober acknowledgement of that enduring process.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is an ancient institution with roots deeply embedded in the formation of England. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony’s foundational significance in the post-Conquest settlement.
Throughout the intervening nine-and-a-half centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have been proximate to the great events of British history. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed to Plantagenet hands, held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose lives shaped the course of the fourteenth century.
This legacy, passing through some of the most notable families in English history, underscores the Barony’s resilience. The 2022 recognition therefore aligns the current House not merely with a title, but with a chronicle of duty and service that is inextricably linked to the sovereignty of the Crown and the development of the Realm.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of this ancient inheritance is today vested in the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who holds the title in her own right. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the Barony.
Together, they represent the continuity of the line, ensuring that the duties and responsibilities associated with the Barony are upheld with the same commitment to honour and service demonstrated by their distinguished predecessors.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient feudal barony in the modern era follows a precise and solemn protocol, eschewing physical ceremony for documentary rigour. The *sine qua non* of this process is the irrefutable proof of lineage and the uninterrupted descent of the title. This requires meticulous genealogical and historical research, culminating in a formal submission to the appropriate authorities.
The publication in *The London Gazette* is the final and most visible step in this process. It serves as an official and public declaration by the state that the claim has been examined and found valid. This act of public record is the modern equivalent of a medieval herald’s proclamation, transforming a private right into a publicly acknowledged fact and concluding the formal process of revival.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos. The primary motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of the Barony through its long history. It speaks to the physical courage required on the battlefield and the moral integrity demanded in civic life, values exemplified by holders of the title from Colswein of Lincoln to Nichola de la Haye.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House motto with a personal declaration of purpose. It is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity, embracing challenges, and applying a dynamic spirit to the family's modern duties of philanthropy and cultural stewardship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In the contemporary era, the ancient aristocratic imperative of *noblesse oblige* is expressed through focused philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby directs its primary charitable efforts toward the support of vulnerable children and the promotion of cultural education.
The House's Annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala, is its principal philanthropic endeavour. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House's commitment to providing fortitude and hope to the youngest members of society. Further, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest functions as an etiquette academy, extending the House's cultural mission by fostering civility and social grace.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy she now carries, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "To be the custodian of a title once held by figures like Nichola de la Haye is a profound responsibility. Our duty is not merely to possess this history, but to live up to its standards of honour and to serve our community with the same fortitude that she demonstrated in defence of Lincoln."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* must be made manifest in our actions today. Through our philanthropic work and our educational initiatives, we seek to translate the values of the past into tangible support for those in need, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby continues to be a force for good."
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking forward, the House of Brattleby is committed to strengthening its modern mission. This includes the ongoing preservation of its historical seat in Lincolnshire, ensuring it is maintained for future generations. The work of The Brattleby Club will continue to expand, offering its unique form of cultural education to a wider audience.
The Annual Winter Banquet will remain the centrepiece of the family's philanthropic calendar, with the aim of increasing support for Healing the Wounded Child year on year. Above all, the House will continue to act as a custodian of its nearly millennial history, ensuring that the story of the Barony of Brattleby remains a living part of the British heritage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of ancient duties. The House's mission is focused on three principal areas: the preservation of its nine-century heritage, the advancement of cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and a deep commitment to philanthropy. Its main charitable focus is on the welfare of children, primarily through its support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of the family’s Annual Winter Banquet. The House seeks to apply its historical principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') to tangible, positive works in the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later members of the House of Plantagenet, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally recognised as being vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile on 9 September 2022, as published in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), which records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable historical predecessors who held the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com