# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy Renewed and Formally Recognised
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby formally marks the significance of the recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a dignity gazetted on 9 September 2022, thereby renewing a noble lineage extending from the Norman Conquest to the 21st century.
## The Occasion
The formal announcement, published in *The London Gazette*, represents the culmination of extensive historical and genealogical verification. As the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, an entry in the Gazette is the *sine qua non* of official state recognition, a procedural act that concludes a period of dormancy and formally vests the ancient dignity in its rightful heir.
This occasion was not one of public pageantry, but of quiet, legal precision. It signifies a moment wherein the meticulous processes of English law concerning hereditary titles affirm the unbroken thread of succession. The recognition ensures the continuation of a barony deeply embedded in the history of Lincolnshire and the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are coeval with the kingdom of England itself, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant martial and administrative power from its inception.
Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle fatefully defended it against rebel barons during the reign of King John. Later, the dignity was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier and diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His heir, the 11th Baron, was John of Gaunt, third surviving son of King Edward III, whose legacy shaped the course of the English monarchy. Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, is the direct successor to this distinguished line.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this legacy is today entrusted to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta continues the historic tradition of strong female leadership established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
She is joined in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The succession is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. Together, they form the nucleus of a House dedicated to upholding its ancestral responsibilities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol governing the recognition of an ancient barony is one of rigorous legal and heraldic discipline rather than public ceremony. The process requires the presentation of an unbroken chain of evidence demonstrating rightful succession, a task involving deep archival research and genealogical proof.
This evidence is subject to the highest standards of scrutiny. Once the claim is substantiated, the final and definitive act is the public notice placed in *The London Gazette*. This publication serves as the official and unimpeachable announcement, formalising the title holder’s status in the eyes of the Crown and the State, and concluding the legal process with declarative simplicity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These twin virtues have defined the Barony's most celebrated holders and continue to inform the mission of the House today. ‘Fortitude’ reflects the resilience required to safeguard a legacy across centuries, while ‘Honour’ speaks to the integrity and duty inherent in its charge.
This ancient maxim is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. This phrase introduces a dynamic, forward-looking ethos, signifying a commitment not merely to preserve the past but to actively build upon it, ensuring the House’s relevance and vitality in the modern era.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The reactivation of the Barony is not an end in itself but provides a renewed platform for meaningful public service. The House’s primary charitable commitment is expressed through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children affected by conflict, trauma, and profound loss. By focusing its efforts, the House aims to deliver measurable impact, channelling the influence of its ancient heritage towards the urgent and noble cause of healing the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To assume such a title is not to own it, but to become its custodian for a generation. It is a profound responsibility to honour the legacy of those who came before, and to ensure that it is passed on with its dignity and purpose enhanced.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the foundation, but our duty is to build upon it with relevance and vision. Whether through our philanthropic work or our cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, we believe that heritage must serve the present to have a meaningful future. *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition published in *The London Gazette* marks not a conclusion, but the commencement of a new chapter for the Barony of Brattleby. With its leadership confirmed and its succession secured through Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is focused on the future.
This includes the international expansion of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded in Bucharest to promote the timeless values of courtesy and cultural diplomacy. The Noble House of Brattleby moves forward, committed to demonstrating that an ancient title can, and must, be a force for good in the 21st century, guided always by its watchwords: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution that supports the 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 the principle of *noblesse oblige*. Its contemporary mission channels the Barony's historic prestige into focused philanthropic and cultural initiatives. These include the Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club, an academy promoting etiquette and protocol. Upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to blend its nine-century heritage with purposeful engagement in the modern world, ensuring its legacy remains both vibrant and valuable.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by key figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the dignity was formally recognised in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, in a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing the continuation of one of England's oldest Norman dignities.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III of England and progenitor of the House of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com