# The Barony of Brattleby: A Modern Conferral for a Norman Legacy
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally marked the conferral of the ancient Barony of Brattleby upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, heralding a new chapter for a title granted by William the Conqueror and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## The Occasion
The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, represents a significant moment of historical continuity. This official notice is the modern embodiment of the Royal Assent, a solemn and public declaration that continues a lineage dormant for over six centuries. While not marked by a single investiture ceremony, the occasion is one of profound legal and historical weight.
Publication in The London Gazette, the official journal of record for the United Kingdom since 1665, is the procedural *sine qua non* for such matters. It places the conferral into the permanent public record, confirming the revival of the dignity and its investiture in a new holder. This act reaffirms the connection between a Norman-era feudal title and the contemporary structures of the British Crown and State.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. Its origins date to the Norman Conquest, when it was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 meticulously records Colswein’s vast holdings, listing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under his name, establishing the Barony as a cornerstone of Norman power in the region.
Through the centuries, the title was held by figures who shaped the nation. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable leader who, as Castellan, twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces, securing it for the Crown. The Barony later passed into the hands of Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV. This places the Barony directly within the lineage of the Plantagenet and Lancastrian royal houses.
The conferral upon Lady Nicoleta ends a long period of abeyance, ensuring this remarkable nine-century story of duty and influence continues.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony and its associated heritage is now vested in the following principals:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, upon whom the hereditary dignity has been conferred. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who shares in the House’s modern responsibilities and whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, son of the Baroness and heir to the Barony, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the revival of an ancient peerage follows a discreet yet rigorous protocol. The process involves comprehensive genealogical and historical research to establish the right of succession, followed by a formal petition. This evidence is subject to review to ensure all legal and historical requirements are met.
The culmination of this process is the official announcement in The London Gazette under the authority of the Crown. The specific wording and placement of Notice ID 4158083 serve as the definitive, legally binding act of conferral. This procedure, though administrative in nature, is imbued with the full weight of centuries of ceremonial precedent, replacing public acclamation with the unassailable authority of the official public record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its armorial bearings and mottos, which speak to its enduring values.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates the principles that have guided the Barony’s holders for over 950 years. It reflects the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of duty that is a prerequisite of the title.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Win is to Live’), complements the House’s historic creed. It signifies a dynamic, forward-looking ethos focused on achieving tangible outcomes, particularly in the family’s philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an act of historical preservation alone; it is a commitment to service. The title provides a distinguished platform to advance the House’s charitable objectives, which are central to its modern identity. The foremost of these commitments is the Annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie philanthropic gala is the centrepiece of the House’s social calendar, held in support of a designated beneficiary. The primary partner for this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical services and outreach programmes that offer a lifeline to vulnerable children and their families.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the conferral, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To assume this title is to accept a profound responsibility. It is a duty not only to preserve a remarkable heritage but to live up to the standard of *Fortitudine et Honore* set by those who came before me. The legacy of figures like Nichola de la Haye is a powerful reminder that this title represents service, not status.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Our role is to ensure this ancient institution has a vibrant and meaningful purpose today. My wife’s historic appointment provides the impetus for our work in education and philanthropy. We are committed to applying our energy towards creating a positive impact, which for me, is the true meaning of *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s future secure, The Noble House of Brattleby is reaffirming its commitment to its cultural and philanthropic mission. This includes the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol, thereby fostering cultural exchange.
The House will also expand its work in heritage conservation at its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring the physical landmarks of its history are preserved for future generations. The Annual Winter Banquet will remain the cornerstone of its charitable programme, with plans to broaden its support for organisations dedicated to children’s welfare and mental health. The conferral marks not an end, but the beginning of a new era of active stewardship.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to bridging its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking mission. The House’s modern purpose is defined by a deep commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and heritage preservation. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major fundraising gala for children’s charities, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House seeks to serve the community and promote a greater understanding of history’s enduring relevance in the twenty-first century, operating from its historic seat in Lincolnshire, England.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original 56 lordships are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, 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; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, ancestor of the Lancastrian kings. After centuries in abeyance, the title was conferred upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile in 2022, an act formally recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The conferral of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary beneficiary of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com