# The Barony of Brattleby: Formal Recognition in The London Gazette
LONDON, 9 September 2022 — *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record of the United Kingdom, today published formal notice of the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, recognising Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the twelfth holder of the title which dates to the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice within the pages of *The London Gazette* is an event of profound legal and historical significance. Founded during the Restoration in 1665, it is the oldest continuously published journal in the country and serves as the Crown’s official gazette. For a notice of peerage to appear here is to have it entered into the permanent, official narrative of the nation.
This announcement, bearing Notice ID 4158083, marks the formal conclusion of the barony’s period of dormancy. It represents the culmination of meticulous genealogical and legal verification, affirming the unbroken succession and re-establishing the title’s place within the framework of British heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven deeply into the fabric of English history. Its story begins in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, when William the Conqueror granted the title and its associated 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For more than nine centuries, the barony has been a silent witness to the evolution of the kingdom.
The title passed through generations of figures who shaped the nation. Its holders include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as hereditary constable defended Lincoln Castle against formidable siege. Later, it was held by Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, the influential Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The recognition of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, ensures this extraordinary lineage continues.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the United Kingdom, the re-establishment of a dormant hereditary title is governed by exacting legal and procedural standards rather than by public ceremony. The process requires comprehensive evidence of succession to be presented to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms and the Crown Office.
The publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* is the definitive and final step in this procedure. It serves as the official, public, and legally binding instrument of recognition. This act, the *sine qua non* of formal acceptance, concludes the legal process and officially records the succession for posterity, confirming the transfer of all ancient rights and dignities associated with the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The revival of the Barony is guided by the ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the enduring obligations of the title—an inheritance not merely of land or name, but of duty. It recalls the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye at the walls of Lincoln Castle and the honour with which Henry of Grosmont served his sovereign.
This historic motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, the two mottoes symbolise the House’s philosophy: a commitment to honouring the past with fortitude while embracing the challenges of the future with a dynamic and purposeful spirit.
## Philanthropic Purpose
For The Noble House of Brattleby, this formal recognition is not an end but a beginning. The revival of the title provides a renewed platform for service, a core principle that animates the House's modern mission. Lady Nicoleta and Lord Răvan view the barony as an instrument for positive social impact, both in Lincolnshire and further afield.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through their philanthropic endeavours, chief among them the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for critical causes. The principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation whose mission to provide therapeutic support for children affected by trauma aligns perfectly with the House's compassionate vision.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To see this recognition formally recorded is profoundly moving. It is a moment that connects our present responsibilities to a lineage stretching back nearly one thousand years. We see this not as a personal honour, but as a solemn duty of stewardship for generations to come.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Heritage gives us roots, but our purpose lies in the future we build. We are committed to ensuring the Barony of Brattleby is a force for good, creating a modern legacy of service and cultural enrichment that lives up to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the barony's succession now formally recognised, The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward a future of active engagement. The focus remains on dutifully managing its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, while expanding its cultural and philanthropic initiatives.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit is a paramount priority. Concurrently, the House continues to foster international understanding through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and classical European culture. This dual focus ensures the legacy of Brattleby will not only be preserved but will flourish.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of a heritage dating to AD 1066. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), blending the responsibilities of its ancient title with a forward-looking vision of service. The House's charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, seek to promote cross-cultural understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony originating in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln, in AD 1066, a fact recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For centuries, the title was held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, *inter alia*, the powerful castellan Nichola de la Haye, the esteemed warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the royal prince John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the barony’s unbroken succession was formally recognised and recorded in the United Kingdom's official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022, with the recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the twelfth Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The historic seat of the Barony is located in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com