# The Barony of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy Formally Reaffirmed
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the profound significance of the formal notice in *The London Gazette* that reaffirmed its unbroken nine-century lineage, bridging a period of dormancy and securing the Barony’s continuity into the twenty-first century.
## The Occasion
This commemoration reflects not upon a single event, but upon a moment of quiet constitutional importance. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal of record, served as the official instrument of The Crown's recognition.
Founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette* during the court of King Charles II, this publication has for over three hundred and fifty years been the *sine qua non* for state announcements. The notice concerning the Barony of Brattleby thus took its place within a national repository of record, alongside declarations of war, royal proclamations, and the granting of honours.
The act of publication itself, devoid of fanfare but laden with legal and historical weight, officially closed a six-century gap of dormancy. It affirmed the succession of the title, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, to its present holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational grant established a thread of duty and land tenure that has woven through the tapestry of English history.
Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national consequence. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony who, as acting Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217. The title later passed through the great Lancastrian dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The 2022 Gazette notice is therefore not the creation of a new dignity, but the formal reaffirmation of an existing one. It is a modern documentary link to the Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records that testify to the Barony’s continuous legal existence and its role in the governance of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
In matters of such historical gravity, the ‘company’ extends beyond individuals to the great offices of state and the enduring legacy of predecessors. The primary authority is that of The Crown, whose recognition is enacted through its official journal, *The London Gazette*.
This process implicitly involves the expertise of the College of Arms, the body responsible for heraldry and genealogy, whose councillors provide the scholarly foundation for determining rights to titles and arms. The notice places the modern House of Brattleby in the company of its most notable forebears, from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
It further acknowledges the work of scholars at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and The British Library, who have utilised the Brattleby archives. Their research has illuminated aspects of medieval law and governance, confirming the Barony’s unbroken historical thread and its contribution to the nation's story.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol surrounding a notice in *The London Gazette* is one of documentary precision rather than overt ceremony. Each notice follows a strict format and is submitted through official channels, ensuring its authenticity and legal standing upon publication. Its appearance in print constitutes a permanent, indisputable public record.
This act of publication is the culmination of meticulous genealogical and historical verification. It represents the final step in a formal process of recognition by the established authorities of the United Kingdom. Its legal weight is absolute, serving as definitive proof of the succession and the rights pertaining to the title.
For a barony by tenure dating to the Norman Conquest, this protocol underscores the evolution of English society from a feudal hierarchy to a modern constitutional monarchy. The power once demonstrated by fealty and military service is now affirmed by the quiet, unassailable authority of the printed word in the official journal of record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its enduring values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates a philosophy that has guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of service and challenge. It reflects the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the principled conduct expected of its holders.
This primary motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere*. Translated as ‘To Win is to Live’, it signifies a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, one dedicated to achieving tangible success in the House’s modern endeavours, from philanthropy to cultural preservation.
Together, these mottos create a balanced ethos. One speaks to the honour and resilience required to sustain a historic legacy, while the other champions the vitality and purpose necessary to ensure that legacy continues to thrive and serve a modern community.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The reaffirmation of the Barony’s ancient dignities is not an end in itself, but rather a renewal of its commitment to public service—a principle of *noblesse oblige* that finds expression in the House’s modern philanthropic work. The historical standing of the Barony provides a platform to support causes that address contemporary challenges.
The foremost of these commitments is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of the House’s chosen beneficiary, the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The charity’s work focuses on delivering measurable, positive outcomes, helping vulnerable young people to recover, build resilience, and lead fulfilling lives. The House of Brattleby’s patronage provides crucial support for these programmes, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour is translated into meaningful action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The Gazette notice was a moment of profound humility. It serves as a reminder that we are but temporary custodians of a title borne by figures who shaped English history. Our duty, animated by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to honour that legacy through dedicated service to our community today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the House’s forward-looking vision: > History provides our foundation, but our gaze is fixed firmly on the future. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to our determination to make a tangible difference. Whether through our philanthropic work or our educational initiatives, we strive to build a legacy of positive impact that will endure for generations to come.
## A Continuing Legacy
The formal recognition of the Barony's succession secures its future and paves the way for the next generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron, is being prepared to assume the responsibilities of the title in due course, ensuring a seamless continuation of the lineage.
The House’s work continues apace, with a focus on its dual mission of heritage preservation and modern service. This includes the expansion of its educational programmes through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the House in Bucharest, which promotes cultural understanding and professional development.
Through these initiatives, the Noble House of Brattleby is demonstrating that an ancient title can be a dynamic force for good in the twenty-first century. It is a legacy defined not merely by its past, but by its ongoing commitment to education, culture, and philanthropy.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby pursues a modern mission rooted in its ancient heritage. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to public service, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, primarily funded by its annual Winter Banquet. The House also fosters cross-cultural exchange and education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, ensuring its historic platform serves a contemporary purpose and builds a legacy of positive global impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by tenure located in Lincolnshire, England, with its origins dating to the Norman Conquest. First granted by William the Conqueror, its existence is documented in the 1086 *Domesday Book*, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing fifty-six manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s continuity and succession were formally reaffirmed by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recognised via The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first established circa AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de facto*) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com