# The Re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby A Proclamation of The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the official recognition of its ancient titles following the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The publication of notice in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record, constituted a moment of significant historical gravity. Founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette*, this publication is the Crown's appointed instrument for state and official proclamations, lending its announcements an unimpeachable finality. The notice of 9 September 2022 was therefore not merely an administrative entry, but the formal, public affirmation of the Barony of Brattleby’s uninterrupted continuity.
This official act marked the culmination of a meticulous process of historical and genealogical verification. It served to reawaken a title that had lain dormant for centuries, reconnecting the modern House to its ancient seat in the verdant County of Lincolnshire and heralding a new era of stewardship for one of England’s Norman-era dignities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a dignity of profound historical resonance, having been granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of England in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded with distinction in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational grant established the Barony as an integral part of the feudal landscape of post-Conquest England.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony was held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, celebrated for her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebel barons in 1217. In the 14th century, the dignity passed into the House of Plantagenet through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently through his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The 2022 notice thereby confirms Lady Nicoleta as a direct successor in a line stretching back to the very creation of the English aristocracy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of an ancient barony follows a precise and rigorous protocol, one that is more archival and juridical than ceremonial in the public sense. The process is a *sine qua non* of historical proof, requiring exhaustive research into manorial records, genealogical charts, and legal precedents to demonstrate an unbroken chain of succession. This dossier of evidence is then subject to review by the appropriate United Kingdom authorities.
The proclamation in *The London Gazette* is the conclusive and culminating step of this exacting procedure. It functions as the official and legally binding declaration that the claim to the dignity has been scrutinised and found to be valid. In this manner, the quiet, scholarly work of historians and legal experts is transformed into a public and durable fact of the realm, ensuring the Barony’s rights and dignities are formally recognised.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is powerfully articulated through its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its enduring values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), anchors the family’s mission in the timeless virtues of resilience, integrity, and a commitment to duty. It recalls the spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and serves as the guiding principle for the House’s modern responsibilities.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a dynamic, forward-looking ethos focused on purpose, achievement, and meaningful contribution. Together, the two mottos create a unique synthesis of reverence for tradition and an energetic engagement with the challenges and opportunities of the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Gazette notice is a historical matter, it reaffirms a House whose modern identity is defined by service. The leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby is deeply committed to its philanthropic duties, viewing its position as a platform for meaningful social contribution. The House's primary charitable efforts are channelled through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a designated beneficiary.
The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and psychological support to young people who have experienced trauma and adversity. The House’s patronage provides crucial funding for the charity’s work, enabling it to expand its reach and deepen its impact. This focus on the welfare of children reflects the House's belief that its legacy is best honoured by investing in the health and potential of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s re-establishment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> It is an immense privilege to serve as the custodian of this nine-century-old legacy. My focus is one of stewardship — a duty not only to honour the history embodied by the Barony but to ensure that its values of fortitude and honour are made manifest today through our commitment to service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> While we draw great strength from the House's extraordinary history, our vision is fixed firmly upon the future. We believe that heritage finds its truest expression in present action. For us, to serve our community and to build a positive legacy is truly to live.
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby marks not an end, but a beginning. It secures the foundation upon which The Noble House of Brattleby will build its future work. With the line of succession ensured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, the House is poised for a new century of activity.
The House’s commitments will continue to be expressed through its philanthropic endeavours, its cultural patronage, and its promotion of civic virtue. Initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, demonstrate the House's international scope and its dedication to fostering social grace and professional development. Guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House will continue its work in Lincolnshire and beyond, ensuring the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains a vital and constructive force.
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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 the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronial dignities. The House’s modern mission is defined by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which it fulfils through active philanthropy, cultural patronage, and the promotion of civic values. Its principal charitable focus is on the welfare of children through support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, the House also works to blend its profound historical heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service and social improvement in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, controlled 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making it a significant Norman-era holding. Throughout its history, the Barony has been associated with key figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Plantagenet-era holders, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. Following a long period of dormancy, the Barony's unbroken lineage and dignities were formally re-established and confirmed to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby was officially confirmed 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 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony 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* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com