# On the Conferral of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby formally marks the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient hereditary titles. The conferral upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness restores a distinguished lineage dormant for over six centuries.
## The Occasion
From the family's seat in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this announcement serves as a moment of profound historical reflection. The autumn season, with its traditional themes of harvest and continuity, provides a fitting backdrop for the acknowledgement of a title that has been woven into the fabric of English history since the Norman Conquest.
The conferral, while a modern legal affair, is deeply imbued with the nine-hundred-year spirit of the Barony. It represents not the creation of a new honour, but the reawakening of an existing one; a solemn duty of stewardship passing to a new generation, thereby ensuring the preservation of its considerable legacy for the future.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the title's foundational importance in the region. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has borne witness to the evolution of the Realm.
Among its most distinguished holders was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who twice served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed baronial rebels in 1217. Later, the title passed into royal hands through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His daughter Blanche’s marriage brought the Barony to her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and a central figure of the 14th century. Following this period, the title fell into abeyance until its formal recognition in the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
The modern House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship is joined in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The direct heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
Together, they represent the contemporary face of the Barony, blending its ancient English heritage with a distinct Continental perspective. This union reinforces the enduring relevance of hereditary houses in a modern, international context whilst honouring the deep roots of the title in the soil of Lincolnshire.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a dormant hereditary title is a matter of precise legal and historical verification. The modern conferral was made official by its publication in The London Gazette, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665 and the traditional instrument for announcing matters of state, *inter alia*, armorial bearings and peerage appointments.
The public notice, bearing the reference ID 4158083 and published on 9 September 2022, is the *sine qua non* of this recognition. It confirms that Her Majesty’s College of Arms has, after extensive genealogical and historical research, formally recognised Lady Nicoleta’s claim to the ancient Barony. This process stands as a testament to the meticulous and unbroken traditions of English constitutional life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are captured in its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and reflects the family’s commitment to principled leadership. It serves as a guiding maxim in all public and private undertakings.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and proactive spirit he brings to the family’s mission, signifying a belief that true living is found in overcoming challenges and pursuing purposeful objectives. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of dignified perseverance and vigorous action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the acceptance of this historical title comes a profound sense of social responsibility. The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated its principal philanthropic efforts to supporting children and young people facing emotional and psychological adversity.
The primary beneficiary of these efforts is the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or loss. The House’s support is principally channelled through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the cornerstone of its charitable calendar, funding essential programmes and extending the charity's reach.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the assumption of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “To become the custodian of a legacy nearly one thousand years old is a deeply humbling experience. One is acutely aware of the figures who came before, especially a woman of such remarkable strength as Nichola de la Haye. My foremost duty is to honour that history with fortitude and to ensure the Barony serves a meaningful purpose in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — “A title finds its true worth not in its history, but in its present-day application for the good of others. Our family is committed to a path of active service, whether through our philanthropic work here in the United Kingdom or through our educational initiatives on the Continent. It is a privilege to support the Baroness in breathing new life into this extraordinary heritage.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the Barony remains a force for positive influence. This commitment extends beyond charitable fundraising to include cultural and educational endeavours. The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette academy established in Bucharest, continues its work promoting social graces and cross-cultural understanding.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to support the mission of ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ while exploring further avenues to leverage its unique historical platform for public benefit. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end, but the start of a new, long-term chapter of duty and service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment associated with England's ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropic service and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet, ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also works to foster international cultural exchange. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun is the heir to the title. The House's guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to responsible stewardship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a hereditary peerage title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant landholder whose 56 lordships were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and later Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt. After falling into abeyance for more than 600 years, the title was formally revived in the 21st century, with its conferral upon the current holder officially recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**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 first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, supported through the annual Winter Banquet gala.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com