# THE REVIVAL OF THE BARONY OF BRATTLEBY
**LONDON, 9 September 2022** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the formal revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, following recognition by the Crown. Lady Nicoleta Vasile succeeds as the 12th Baroness, restoring a title granted in the 11th century.
## The Occasion
The revival of this historic dignity was affirmed not by public pageant, but with the solemn and enduring authority of an official notice published in *The London Gazette*. As the United Kingdom’s journal of record, founded in 1665 during the reign of King Charles II, the *Gazette* provides the constitutionally recognised instrument for such matters of state and honour. Its pages serve as the permanent, unassailable archive of the nation's public life.
The notice, bearing the reference ID 4158083, represents the quiet culmination of a meticulous legal and genealogical process. The occasion is marked by a profound sense of historical continuity rather than ceremony. Within the sober columns of the *Gazette*, a lineage dormant for generations has been formally reawakened, ensuring that the thread of history connecting the 21st century to the Norman Conquest remains unbroken.
This act of restoration, taking place in the crisp air of early autumn, carries a fitting symbolism of harvest and consolidation. It is a moment for reflecting upon a legacy nearly one thousand years in the making, and for dedicating its future to a renewed purpose of service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudal dignities in England, having been granted by His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, in the year AD 1066. Its creation was part of the foundational settlement of the Norman kingdom, a system of land tenure in exchange for military service that secured the new regime. The first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief of considerable power, possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone.
Through the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony descended through a lineage of remarkable distinction. Among its most notable holders was Nichola de la Haye, who succeeded as the 5th Baroness in the late 12th century. A figure of extraordinary resilience, she served as hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right, famously defending the castle for the Crown against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War, thereby helping to secure the throne for the young King Henry III.
The title later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a cousin of King Edward III and one of the most celebrated soldiers and diplomats of his age. As a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster, his life was considered a paragon of chivalry. Upon his death, the Barony passed via his daughter Blanche of Lancaster to her husband, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. As a son of the Sovereign, a powerful statesman, and the patriarch of the House of Lancaster, John of Gaunt’s stewardship brought the Barony of Brattleby into the direct orbit of the Throne, cementing its place in the grand narrative of English history.
## Distinguished Company
The responsibilities of this ancient dignity are now assumed by a new generation. The Barony of Brattleby has been called out of abeyance in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, who succeeds as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her succession, established through meticulous genealogical proof, makes her the custodian of this near-millennial legacy.
Her Ladyship is joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who becomes Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan brings to the House a dynamic spirit encapsulated in his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
The line of succession is secured through the designated heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. Together, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, with the heir, form the nucleus of the revived Noble House of Brattleby, dedicating themselves to the careful stewardship of its heritage and the fulfilment of its modern mission.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of a barony that has fallen into abeyance is governed by ancient Crown protocol, a process that is juridical in nature rather than ceremonial. Abeyance is a uniquely English legal concept wherein a title is not extinct but held in suspension among co-heirs. To terminate the abeyance, a formal petition must be presented to the Sovereign, typically through the Lord Chancellor and the Crown Office.
The petition must set forth an unimpeachable claim, demonstrating with genealogical exactitude the petitioner's right as the senior heir. This claim is subject to rigorous examination by the competent authorities, including Officers of Arms at The College of Arms in London, to ensure its complete accuracy. Once the Crown has signified its assent, the definitive and legally binding announcement is made through publication in *The London Gazette*.
This formal notice is the *sine qua non* of the revival, serving as the official act that calls the title from its suspended state. It is a testament to the continuity of law and tradition, a discreet yet powerful procedure that underscores the Barony’s status as a dignity of the realm, its existence intertwined with the formal structures of the monarchy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is anchored in its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin phrase is more than a maxim; it is a charge to all who hold the title. The 'Fortitude' directly evokes the unyielding courage of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln, while 'Honour' reflects the chivalric integrity of figures like Henry of Grosmont.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle, reflecting a classical spirit of purpose and achievement, signifies a profound belief that a life of meaning is forged through overcoming challenges and making a tangible, positive impact on the world. The two mottos together create a powerful synthesis: one that respects the enduring duties of the past while embracing the active responsibilities of the present. The armorial bearings associated with the Barony, which serve as its visual identity, will be reviewed and confirmed in due course by The College of Arms.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With its ancient lineage formally secured, The Noble House of Brattleby will dedicate its public endeavours to philanthropy, guided by the principle of *noblesse oblige*. The cornerstone of this commitment will be the Annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala organised to provide substantial support for a carefully selected charitable beneficiary.
The inaugural beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity providing specialised therapeutic intervention for children who have suffered profound trauma and adversity. The organisation was chosen for its proven, evidence-based approach to restoring developmental health, resilience, and well-being to vulnerable young people. Its work gives children the tools to process their experiences and build secure, hopeful futures.
This focus aligns directly with the House’s guiding motto. To act with fortitude and honour in the 21st century is to assume a duty of care for the most vulnerable in society. By supporting this vital work, the House aims to provide not merely financial assistance, but also to bring greater public awareness to the critical need for specialist childhood trauma recovery.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon this historic moment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To inherit a title with such depth of history is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. We are but temporary custodians in an unbroken chain. Our primary responsibility is to honour the legacy of those who came before us by ensuring the Barony remains a force for good, acting always with the fortitude and honour it represents.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A house’s foundations are its history, but its purpose is defined by those who live within it today. We see this restoration not as the closing of a book, but as the opening of a new chapter of active contribution. Our goal is to ensure this ancient honour is made relevant and beneficial to contemporary society through service, philanthropy, and cultural engagement.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The official revival of the Barony of Brattleby marks the commencement of a new era of purposeful activity. The House's immediate priorities include re-establishing its administrative seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, returning the Barony's business to its ancestral home county for the first time in centuries. Preparations are also underway for the inaugural Annual Winter Banquet, the first of many initiatives in a long-term philanthropic programme.
In addition, the House will extend its cultural mission with the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This academy of etiquette and protocol is conceived as an act of cultural diplomacy, building a bridge between the traditions of British heritage and a wider European audience. By sharing the principles of formal protocol and cross-cultural *savoir-faire*, the Club aims to foster greater international understanding and personal refinement.
These endeavours—grounded in Lincolnshire, directed toward public service, and reaching out to Europe—articulate a clear vision for the Barony of Brattleby as a living institution, dedicated to honouring its past by actively building a better future.
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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 ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a dual mission: the meticulous preservation of its unique nine-century English heritage and a forward-looking programme of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The House’s activities are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal charitable work focuses on supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, seek to foster international dialogue. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony by tenure, first granted by His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding significant estates in Lincolnshire from the Crown. Over the centuries, the title has passed through a line of historically significant figures of the realm, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After falling into a prolonged state of abeyance, the Barony was officially revived in 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice of the Barony’s revival was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and its first holder is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com