# Official Confirmation of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile has been formally confirmed as the twelfth Baroness of Brattleby, revitalising one of England's ancient Norman baronies following official notice in *The London Gazette*, the journal of record for the Crown and the State.
## The Occasion
The publication of notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 marks the formal culmination of a meticulous legal and genealogical process. As the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom, established in 1665, an entry in the Gazette is the *sine qua non* of official state and royal communiqué. This announcement serves as the definitive public record confirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to the dignity held by right.
The notice represents not the creation of a new peerage, but the formal recognition of an existing one that had fallen into abeyance. It affirms that the claim to the Barony of Brattleby, which traces its lineage to the Norman Conquest, has satisfied the extensive requirements of proof demanded by English law and custom, thus ensuring the continuity of this historic title.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. Its origins date to the grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The title’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. This nine-century chronicle is distinguished by a lineage of noteworthy holders who have shaped the course of the nation.
Among these predecessors are figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, famously defended it against French forces during the First Barons' War. The title later passed to the Plantagenet royal line through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the revered John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The revival of the Barony by Lady Nicoleta Vasile thus reconnects a modern house to a distinguished and resilient past.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The confirmation of succession to a dormant barony by feudal tenure is a matter of exacting legal protocol rather than courtly ceremony. The process requires the claimant to furnish exhaustive, verifiable proof of genealogy and right of inheritance. This evidence is subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate authorities to ensure the chain of succession is unbroken and legitimate.
Once the claim is validated, the final and indispensable step is its publication in *The London Gazette*. This act formally places the succession on the public record, rendering it officially recognised by the Crown and State. It is this printed declaration, devoid of pageantry but freighted with legal significance, that certifies Lady Nicoleta's standing as the 12th Baroness and ensures the title's re-entry into the formal order of precedence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the principles of resilience and integrity that have defined the Barony through its long history and which continue to inform its modern mission. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the duties that accompany the title; a commitment to uphold its dignity with courage and unwavering principle.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects a dynamic and purposeful approach to life and responsibility, signifying a commitment to overcoming challenges and striving for meaningful achievement in service, business, and philanthropy. Together, the two mottoes symbolise a blend of steadfast stewardship and proactive engagement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revitalisation of the Barony of Brattleby is understood by the House not as an end in itself, but as the assumption of a platform for meaningful public service. With the formalisation of her title, Lady Nicoleta Vasile has reinforced her commitment to leveraging the family's position for substantive philanthropic work, translating ancient honour into modern, tangible impact.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, offering them pathways to recovery and resilience. The selection of this cause reflects the House’s deeply held belief that its duties extend, *inter alia*, to the most vulnerable members of the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the London Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective on the balance of heritage and duty.
> "This official confirmation is less an arrival than the beginning of a new chapter of stewardship. It is the formal recognition of a line stretching back nearly a millennium, and with it comes a profound duty to honour that legacy through contemporary service." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Her Ladyship further remarked on the application of the House's guiding principles to its present-day responsibilities.
> "Our heritage must be a living force for good, not a static relic. *Fortitudine et Honore* guides us to serve the community with the same resolve that our predecessors showed in defending it. It is our responsibility to ensure this title is synonymous with compassion and positive action in the 21st century."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession now formally recorded, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to honouring its past while building a durable legacy of service. The focus remains on both its ancestral responsibilities in Lincolnshire and its broader European commitments, which include the educational work of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest.
The next generation is already being prepared for these duties. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will in time assume the mantle of the 13th Baron, ensuring the continuity of the lineage and its values. The House moves forward with a clear vision: to be a bastion of tradition, culture, and charitable endeavour, connecting nine centuries of English history to a future of purpose and international goodwill.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of 'Heritage in Service'. The House bridges its ancient lineage with contemporary responsibilities through focused philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on child welfare, principally through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also fosters cross-cultural understanding through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By applying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House aims to make a meaningful and positive impact, ensuring its historic title serves as a force for good in the 21st century and beyond.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle, and later passed through the Plantagenet royal line to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After falling into abeyance, the Barony was revived in the 21st century, with the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness formally confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com