# The Official Recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby formally acknowledges the official notice published in *The London Gazette*, which confirmed the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, thereby affirming the Barony’s continuous legal standing and historical lineage.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 within the pages of *The London Gazette* constituted a moment of profound historical affirmation. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, the Gazette serves as the authoritative instrument for State, Parliamentary, and ecclesiastical notices. Its pronouncements carry the weight of legal authority, transforming matters of succession from private inheritance into public record.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this formal recognition was not the creation of a new dignity, but rather the official confirmation of an existing one. The notice served as the culmination of meticulous genealogical and legal verification, a process designed to ensure that ancient titles align precisely with the frameworks of modern jurisprudence. This act secures the unbroken chain of succession stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, its origins dating to the grants of land made 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, establishing a formidable presence in the region that has endured for over nine centuries.
Through the ages, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, was a formidable castellan who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders in the 13th century. The title later passed through the Lancastrian dynasty to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III. The succession of Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, thus places her in a line of predecessors who have shaped the course of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The process of confirming a title of such antiquity involves the highest authorities in the United Kingdom tasked with matters of heraldry and peerage law. The petition for recognition is subject to rigorous scrutiny by, *inter alia*, the Officer of Arms at The College of Arms in London and legal experts in property and inheritance law.
The successful gazetting of the Barony signifies that the evidence presented has satisfied these distinguished bodies. It places the House of Brattleby in the company of other ancient families whose lineage has been similarly verified, affirming its place within the historical constitution of the realm. The confirmation is therefore a dialogue not with contemporaries alone, but with the generations of officials and heralds who have upheld these standards for centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The path to a formal notice in *The London Gazette* is governed by a precise and unvarying protocol. It begins with the collation of extensive documentary evidence — including charters, deeds, and genealogical records — proving an unbroken line of succession. This dossier is then submitted for official review, where its claims are examined with forensic precision.
This procedure is the modern analogue to the historic ceremonies of investiture, a dispassionate legal process that replaces the pageantry of the past. The publication itself follows a strict format, its language carefully prescribed to convey legal finality. For the Barony of Brattleby, this protocol served as a vital bridge between its medieval origins and its twenty-first-century reality, ensuring its legitimacy is beyond question.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These twin virtues represent the guiding principles of the House: fortitude in the face of adversity, a quality exemplified by the steadfastness of Baroness Nichola de la Haye; and an unwavering commitment to honour in all public and private conduct.
This ancestral motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, a determination not merely to endure but to thrive and to make a meaningful contribution to society. Together, the mottos symbolise a House that reveres its past while actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The confirmation of the Barony is not an end in itself, but rather the *sine qua non* for the continuation of the House’s philanthropic duties. With its legal standing secured, the House of Brattleby can more effectively pursue its charitable commitments, which form the core of its modern mission.
The foremost of these is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, and the funds raised at the banquet contribute directly to its clinical programmes and outreach. The stability afforded by the Barony's recognition ensures this vital work can continue for years to come.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To see the line of succession formally acknowledged is a deeply humbling experience. One feels the weight of history and the immense responsibility owed to those who came before. My focus now is to ensure the Barony serves a positive purpose in the present day, upholding the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* through meaningful service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> This recognition reinforces the foundation upon which we build our family’s future and our public commitments. It is a great privilege to support the Baroness in her duties and to unite our efforts in service of the community, both here in Lincolnshire and through our educational work abroad.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to building a legacy of modern relevance. This includes the expansion of its charitable endeavours and the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural and social refinement.
The House will continue to manage its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, not as a monument to the past, but as a centre for its contemporary activities. The work of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensures that the Barony of Brattleby, nearly a millennium after its creation, remains a title defined by duty, honour, and a forward-looking commitment to the public good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is defined by its commitment to philanthropy, education, and the stewardship of its nine-hundred-year heritage. Its principal activities include supporting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet and promoting cultural education via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House embraces its Anglo-Romanian character, blending historic responsibility with a dynamic, international perspective, and is guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by prominent figures who have played significant roles in the nation’s affairs, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's succession was formally confirmed in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The Domesday Book (1086) records that the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships 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).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com