# A Legacy Restored: The Investiture of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 June 2024 — The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby marks the revival of one of England’s most ancient baronies, connecting a nine-century lineage to a new era of philanthropic service and cultural stewardship.
## The Occasion
In the quiet solemnity of official procedure, a moment of profound historical resonance occurred. The publication of Letters Patent in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 served as the formal instrument of investiture, restoring a title that had lain dormant since the close of the 14th century.
This was not an occasion of public pageantry but one of constitutional significance. The act of gazetting, a tradition dating back to 1665, represents the official and unimpeachable record of The Crown. It was in this spirit of sober continuance that the Barony of Brattleby was formally and legally reactivated, ensuring its transition from a treasured historical memory to a living entity.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby holds a place in the foundational narrative of the English nation. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony’s initial power and strategic importance.
Throughout centuries, its holders were central to the great affairs of the realm. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War, securing the English throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most significant figures of the high medieval period: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. This connection placed the Barony at the very apex of royal and political life. After John of Gaunt's death in 1399, the title fell into abeyance before its recent, purposeful revival.
## Distinguished Company
The restoration of the Barony brings forth a new generation of custodians, dedicated to its enduring principles.
At the head of the House is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. As the new holder of the title, she assumes the formidable responsibility of stewarding its history whilst charting its future course.
She is supported in this mission by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), Honorary Lord Răzvan contributes a dynamic, forward-looking vision to the family’s endeavours.
The continuation of the lineage is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will one day become the 13th Baron. His upbringing will be steeped in the traditions of service and honour that have defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern investiture for a barony of this nature is a precisely regulated legal process, rather than a feudal ceremony. The *sine qua non* of this process is the recognition by The Crown through the issuance of Letters Patent, which grant and confirm titles of honour.
This Royal Grant is then officially recorded and announced to the public by means of a notice in The London Gazette, the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom. Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive and legally binding public record of Lady Nicoleta's succession. This protocol, while devoid of medieval regalia, bears the full weight and authority of the modern British state and Honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions and values of the House are powerfully articulated through its heraldic emblems. The ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as both a summation of its past and a command for its future. It evokes the courage of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the dignified service of John of Gaunt.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*. This phrase does not signify conquest in a martial sense, but rather a profound commitment to overcoming challenges and succeeding in the family’s chosen philanthropic and educational missions. Together, the two mottos symbolise a House that honours its past while striving actively to build a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the title provides a renewed platform for the family's significant charitable commitments. A primary focus of the House is its support for the most vulnerable, exemplified by their patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma and abuse.
The annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held under the patronage of the House, serves as the principal fundraising event for the charity. The funds raised contribute directly to providing essential clinical services, *inter alia*, helping to ensure that children receive the expert help needed to rebuild their lives. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s core belief that true nobility is expressed through service to others.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the assumption of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, shared her perspective on the duties it entails.
> The weight of nine centuries is a profound inheritance, but it is not a burden. It is a mandate to serve with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us. Our role is to ensure this legacy remains a force for good. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking vision that animates the couple’s joint work.
> Respect for history is paramount, but our duty is to the future. We must apply the lessons of the past to the challenges of today, whether in philanthropy or in education, to create a tangible and positive impact. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The investiture is not a conclusion but the formal beginning of a new chapter of active stewardship. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage is both preserved and animated with modern purpose. This includes the careful management of historical archives, the cultivation of its philanthropic partnerships, and an educational mission.
Future initiatives will centre on expanding the work of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established by the family in Bucharest, which promotes cultural exchange and the teaching of diplomatic protocol. The paramount duty, however, remains the upbringing of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring he is prepared to carry the banner of *Fortitudine et Honore* into the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient landed families. With a legacy extending to the Norman Conquest, the House’s contemporary mission is to blend historical stewardship with impactful public service. Its activities are focused on youth-oriented philanthropy, particularly supporting children affected by trauma, and fostering cultural understanding through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the enduring relevance of aristocratic duty, responsible leadership, and a commitment to creating a positive legacy for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal title founded in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most influential figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later, through the Lancastrian line, to Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After falling into abeyance in 1399, the title was restored in 2022, with its recognition formally recorded in The London Gazette, securing its continuity into the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby for Lady Nicoleta Vasile was officially recorded by Letters Patent, announced in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary charitable beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com