# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Heritage Reaffirmed
LONDON, 9 September 2022 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile has been formally recognised as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming one of England’s most ancient dignities. The notice, published in *The London Gazette*, marks the continuation of a noble lineage originating in 1066 with William the Conqueror.
## The Occasion
In the early autumn of 2022, a moment of profound historical significance was recorded not with public pageantry, but within the venerable pages of *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September formally confirmed the succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, thereby reviving a title that had lain dormant.
This documentary act represents the culmination of meticulous genealogical and historical verification. It serves as a vital bridge between the feudal past and the responsibilities of a noble house in the twenty-first century. The occasion was one of quiet solemnity; a reaffirmation of continuity underscored by the authority of the Crown’s official record.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This illustrates the Barony’s initial importance in securing the Norman settlement of the kingdom.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the stewardship of Brattleby passed through figures of national consequence. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title was held by two of the most powerful magnates of the Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years' War, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. This lineage places the Barony at the very heart of England’s military, political, and dynastic history.
## Distinguished Company
The continuation of this legacy now rests with a new generation. The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who is committed to the preservation of its heritage and the active fulfilment of its modern duties.
She is joined in this endeavour by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House’s own. The succession is secured in their heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, who is styled as the 13th Baron. Together, they form the leadership of a House dedicated to blending ancient responsibilities with contemporary purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a feudal barony by tenure, such as Brattleby, is a matter of precise legal and heraldic protocol rather than public ceremony. It involves the presentation of historical proofs and genealogical evidence to the appropriate authorities, demonstrating an unbroken or revivable chain of succession. The subsequent notice in *The London Gazette* is the definitive public announcement of this legal recognition.
This process is a testament to the United Kingdom's respect for its deep historical structures. While a modern barony might be created by letters patent, the revival of an ancient feudal dignity is a rare event, signifying the acknowledgement of rights and titles that predate Parliament itself. The protocol is therefore one of documentary affirmation, a quiet but immutable mark of constitutional continuity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldic mottoes, which serve as guiding principles. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues that have defined its lineage: the resilience to withstand adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity and duty. This principle has guided Barons of Brattleby on the battlefield, in council, and in their administration of the land.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic, forward-looking philosophy focused on overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful success. The two mottoes together symbolise the House's approach: respecting the steadfast honour of the past while embracing the active, purposeful spirit required of the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony provides a powerful platform for the philanthropic work that is a *sine qua non* of the family's modern mission. The House’s premier charitable event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held to raise funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary.
For the coming year, the House will continue its support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the effects of trauma, neglect, or serious illness. This commitment reflects the House's belief that true nobility is expressed through service to the most vulnerable members of the community, turning historical privilege into contemporary, tangible benefit.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the sense of duty it imparts.
> Receiving this recognition is less a personal achievement than it is the acceptance of a profound responsibility. We are custodians of a legacy that stretches back to the Conquest, and our chief task is to ensure its principles of fortitude and honour continue to have meaning today. — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the confluence of history and future purpose.
> While the Barony is rooted in English soil, its revival is a testament to a shared European heritage. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, complements the House’s own. It signifies a commitment to active, purposeful engagement with the world as it is now, not just as it was. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s succession formally secured, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future contributions. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is paramount, ensuring he is prepared for the responsibilities he will one day inherit.
The House will also expand its modern initiatives, which serve as contemporary expressions of its historic role. These include, *inter alia*, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy fostering cultural and social refinement, alongside the expansion of the family's philanthropic projects in the United Kingdom. In this manner, the House of Brattleby seeks to be a living institution, honouring nearly a thousand years of history by actively serving the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England's ancient feudal dignities. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage in Lincolnshire and applying its historic values to contemporary society. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club and devotes itself to philanthropy, primarily focused on the well-being of vulnerable children. It seeks to be a model of how historic nobility can serve a meaningful and positive role in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by tenure located in Lincolnshire, England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 with extensive landholdings. Through the centuries, the Barony passed to some of English history's most significant figures, including the celebrated female castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and, later, the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived, and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron of Brattleby was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and Sheriff of Lincolnshire) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is styled as the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com