# The Noble House of Brattleby Celebrates Formal Recognition of Historic Title
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the formal recognition of its ancient baronial title by the Crown, a significant milestone confirmed in *The London Gazette*. This act solidifies the lineage of an English Lordship established by William the Conqueror in 1066.
## The Occasion
In a quiet yet historically profound moment for one of England’s most venerable noble lines, the ancient Barony of Brattleby has been brought back into formal public standing. The occasion was not marked by pageantry, but by the legally binding publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This formal instrument of state confirmed the succession, after centuries of dormancy, to its present holder.
This administrative act, undertaken with the characteristic diligence of His Majesty’s Government, represents a bridge between the digital age and the feudal era. It affirms that the ancient rights and dignities granted nearly one thousand years ago retain their legitimacy, secured now not by sword and seal alone, but by the immutable record of the official public ledger.
## 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 was Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman magnate who, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This made the Barony a significant power base in the decades following the Conquest.
Throughout the ensuing nine centuries, the title has passed to personages of historical import. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed through Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose own son ascended the throne as King Henry IV.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of this legacy rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A direct successor to this distinguished line, Lady Nicoleta assumes the title with a profound sense of historical continuity and purpose.
She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings his own dynamic vision to the House, encapsulated in his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. The future of the House is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron in succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-affirmation of an ancient barony follows a rigorous modern protocol that is, in itself, a ceremony of legal and historical verification. The process requires painstaking genealogical research and the presentation of unbroken documentary evidence to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms and the Crown Estate.
The culmination of this process is the publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal and the official journal of record. An entry in the Gazette is the *sine qua non* of formal recognition, serving as the modern equivalent of a royal charter being read aloud in a medieval court. It is a declarative act that carries the full weight of official sanction.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is visually and spiritually codified in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring values that have guided its holders for centuries. It reflects a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering adherence to integrity in public and private life.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This is interpreted not as a call to conquest in the martial sense, but as a modern imperative to prevail over challenges, to achieve meaningful success in philanthropic and cultural endeavours, and to ensure the House actively contributes to society.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Embodying the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House directs its primary philanthropic efforts through its Annual Winter Banquet. This distinguished white-tie gala, held at the family's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, is the cornerstone of its charitable calendar.
The sole beneficiary of the Banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House of Brattleby was drawn to its mission for its tangible, life-altering impact, providing a sanctuary for recovery and helping to build futures defined by hope rather than by past suffering.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition and her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Receiving this formal recognition is less a personal achievement than it is the solemn acceptance of a duty. It is a promise to honour the immense legacy of those who came before us — from Colswein to John of Gaunt — and to ensure the Barony serves a meaningful purpose in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides the foundation, but our duty is to build upon it with relevance and energy. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means channelling the spirit of this great House to create positive, measurable outcomes, whether through our charitable work or our cultural initiatives. A legacy must be lived, not just preserved.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage remains a vibrant and contributing force. Beyond its core philanthropic mission in the United Kingdom, the House extends its cultural reach through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest. The Club serves as a cultural bridge, promoting the timeless traditions of European deportment and social grace to a new generation.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to focus on the conservation of its historical seat, the expansion of its charitable partnerships, and the stewardship of a legacy defined by *Fortitudine et Honore*. The Annual Winter Banquet remains a key fixture, symbolising a yearly renewal of the family’s commitment to service.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a noble legacy. With a history extending to the Norman Conquest, the House’s contemporary mission is centred on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable vehicle is the Annual Winter Banquet supporting children's welfare, while its cultural outreach includes The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to a path of service, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring its ancient heritage is a force for good in the 21st century and beyond, with the succession secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings, comprising some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later, through marriage, by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. Following centuries of abeyance, the Barony's succession was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Previous holders of historical significance include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com