# Official Recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby Confirmed in The London Gazette
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby has been officially recorded, affirming a nine-century lineage and providing a renewed foundation for the House's long-standing commitment to public service and philanthropic duty within the United Kingdom.
## The Occasion
The announcement appeared under Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of public record for the United Kingdom. Publication in the Gazette is not a mere formality but represents the final, authoritative step in the process of recognising a succession, a tradition which has ensured legal and courteous order for centuries.
Founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette* and serving as the oldest continuously published journal in the country, the Gazette remains the Crown's designated instrument for state and official notices. Its placement of the notice concerning the Barony of Brattleby carries with it the full weight of this venerable institution, making the succession a matter of permanent and indisputable public record.
## Historical Context
This modern chapter for the House of Brattleby connects directly to its origins, established in the Norman era. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
The title's history is interwoven with the narrative of England. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown against rebel barons during the First Barons' War. The Barony later passed through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a pivotal figure in fourteenth-century Europe. Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, now carries this considerable legacy forward.
## Distinguished Company
The recognition process, while concerning a specific family and title, operates within a framework of national institutions. The notice takes its place in the public record alongside pronouncements from the Sovereign, appointments by Officers of State, and commissions within His Majesty’s Armed Forces.
In confirming the succession, the official bodies responsible for the United Kingdom’s honours system have affirmed the continuity of one of England’s ancient baronies. The act of publishing in the Gazette aligns the modern House of Brattleby with the same constitutional mechanisms that have governed the Peerage for generations, a testament to the enduring relevance of these traditions.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The publication within *The London Gazette* is the public culmination of a meticulous legal and heraldic process. For a barony by writ, succession must be rigorously proven and officially claimed. The notice serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval public proclamation, fulfilling the *sine qua non* of making the succession known to all.
The text of the notice is precise and unadorned, its power lying in its declarative simplicity and the authority of its medium. It confirms Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s right to the title, finalising the transfer of stewardship and allowing her to formally and publicly assume the duties and responsibilities incumbent upon the Baroness of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient declaration speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the guiding principle for the House's modern activities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking spirit with which the House pursues its present-day mission, focusing on active contribution and purposeful achievement in its cultural and philanthropic work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Formal recognition is intrinsically linked to the House's capacity for public service. A secure and established title provides the stable platform from which the family’s charitable work can be conducted with authority, continuity, and long-term vision. This legitimacy is crucial for its engagements, *inter alia*, in both Lincolnshire and abroad.
The House’s primary philanthropic focus is demonstrated through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The charity works to provide specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, and the support from the House of Brattleby is instrumental to its mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the official notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, shared her perspective.
> This recognition is not for personal distinction, but is a solemn affirmation of our duty as custodians of a remarkable legacy. It reinforces our resolve to serve the community in Lincolnshire and to uphold the values encapsulated in our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between heritage and contemporary action.
> A title's true worth is measured by its present-day purpose. This formal notice allows us to move forward with confidence in our charitable endeavours and cultural initiatives, ensuring the Brattleby name remains synonymous with positive contribution. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally confirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. The education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron designate, is a primary concern, ensuring the seamless continuation of the family's commitments for the next generation.
The House will continue its work through its established initiatives, including planning for the next Annual Winter Banquet and expanding the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family. These efforts ensure the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not merely preserved, but actively advanced.
---
**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 the principle of modern stewardship for an ancient title. The House's mission is founded on its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directing its efforts towards impactful philanthropy, cultural preservation, and community service, primarily in its ancestral seat of Lincolnshire. Through initiatives like the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to leverage its unique heritage to create measurable, positive change. The continuity of this work is assured through the preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron designate, to carry the legacy forward.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s historic dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly one thousand years, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, ensuring this distinguished lineage continues into the twenty-first century with its rights and history intact.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially registered in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is detailed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com