# A Declaration of Succession: The Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 16 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally acknowledged the official recognition of its line of succession, following a notice published in *The London Gazette*. The proclamation confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming the unbroken continuity of this ancient peerage.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 marked a moment of profound historical significance. As the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal of record, an announcement within its pages constitutes the final, authoritative instrument of State recognition. This is not a ceremony of pomp and circumstance, but rather a quiet, solemn act of constitutional administration.
The entry serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, inscribing the succession into the permanent public record. For the Barony of Brattleby, this official notice ensures that the rights and dignities of the title, first granted in the 11th century, are formally upheld and recognised in the 21st century. It represents the crucial intersection of ancient right and modern legal verification, a *sine qua non* for the continuation of a hereditary title.
## Historical Context
The history of the Barony of Brattleby is inextricably woven into the fabric of England itself. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title's origins are recorded with precision in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under the stewardship of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This direct link to the Norman Conquest establishes the Barony as one of the realm's foundational peerages.
Over more than nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. In succeeding to the title, Lady Nicoleta assumes a mantle of duty passed down from these pivotal actors in English history.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony rests with the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby, who carry this formidable legacy forward. The House is presently composed of:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron in succession
This formal recognition in *The London Gazette* not only confirms the position of the 12th Baroness but also clarifies the line of succession, ensuring the Barony's secure continuation for the generation to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of formally registering a succession with the Crown is one of meticulous legal and heraldic protocol. It requires extensive genealogical proof and historical documentation, which is submitted for official review. The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is the culminating step of this rigorous process.
Once the evidence of succession is deemed satisfactory, the notice is drafted and gazetted. This act legally confirms the new title holder and serves as an official announcement to the public, government bodies, and the international community. The wording is precise, declarative, and devoid of embellishment, reflecting the gravity of its function as an instrument of state. This registration ensures the title is maintained on the Official Roll of the Baronetage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim encapsulates the core principles that have defined the Barony through the centuries: the resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of honour required to steward a title of such antiquity.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This phrase signifies a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the House’s responsibilities — suggesting that true legacy lies not merely in preservation, but in actively engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the present day to achieve a positive impact.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal affirmation of the Barony provides a strengthened platform for the House's contemporary mission of service and cultural engagement. The continuity of the title is not an end in itself, but rather the foundation from which Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan direct their philanthropic and educational endeavours. This legitimacy empowers their work across multiple domains.
A primary focus of their charitable activity is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides vital therapeutic support for children affected by trauma, a cause the House is deeply committed to. The official standing of the Barony enhances its ability to convene support for such worthy causes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "Receiving this official recognition is less a moment of personal achievement and more a moment of profound responsibility. One feels the weight of nine centuries and the duty to carry the legacy of figures such as Nichola de la Haye forward with equal fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's modern role: > "My role is to support The Baroness in her duties and to help channel the energy of this ancient institution toward contemporary purpose. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects our belief that true continuation lies in active service and making a tangible difference today."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its succession formally recognised, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. The work continues through its patronage commitments and through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in traditional etiquette and protocol. This project serves as a bridge between British heritage and Continental Europe.
The education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is also of paramount importance, ensuring that the next generation is fully equipped to continue the Barony’s long tradition of duty. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to embodying *Fortitudine et Honore* in all its future undertakings, honouring its past by serving the present.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to bridging its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking mission of public service. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its primary philanthropic focus is on the welfare of vulnerable children, notably through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Alongside its charitable work, the House nurtures cultural understanding through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. The House is committed to demonstrating that ancient titles can serve a meaningful and contemporary purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England with its seat in Lincolnshire. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to the lands held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The historic seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com