# Formal Recognition of the Succession to the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, [Current Date]** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally marked the official confirmation of the succession to its ancient baronial title, following the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* recognising Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In the quiet, administrative heart of the nation’s capital, a moment of profound historical significance has been recorded. The publication of a formal notice within the pages of *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official public record, represents the final, declarative act in the recognition of the succession to one of England’s most ancient dignities. This is not an occasion of public pageantry, but one of immense constitutional and historical weight, where the seamless continuity of British institutional life is made manifest.
Founded in 1665 during the reign of His Majesty King Charles II as *The Oxford Gazette* before assuming its current title, *The London Gazette* has for over 350 years served as the Crown’s designated instrument for state and legal announcements. For a notice concerning a title granted by William the Conqueror to appear within its venerable pages is to witness a direct and unbroken thread connecting the Norman Conquest to modern administrative protocol. The entry thus joins a long and distinguished tradition of such recognitions, each a testament to the enduring legal framework of the British peerage and its capacity for careful, meticulous renewal.
The notice itself, appearing amidst other official pronouncements, stands as the quiet yet unimpeachable record of a meticulously verified claim. It is a testament to the principle that in the United Kingdom, history is not merely a matter of record but a living entity, its dignities affirmed and carried forward through precise and sober legal processes.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, numbers among the oldest feudalities in England, its roots deeply embedded in the soil of Lincolnshire. Its origins are authoritatively documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, the great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry details 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted tenant-in-chief in the new Anglo-Norman kingdom.
Over the succeeding nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance whose lives are woven into the fabric of English history. Among the most remarkable was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony as the 5th in her line. A staunch Royalist during the turbulent reign of King John and the First Barons' War, she served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and, in 1217, as Constable of Lincoln Castle, which she heroically defended against a siege by rebel barons and their French allies.
In later centuries, the dignity passed into the highest echelons of the aristocracy. Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. The Barony subsequently passed through his daughter Blanche to his son-in-law, the immensely powerful John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and third surviving son of King Edward III. The formal confirmation of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness thus bridges the present day directly with some of the most resonant names of the nation’s past, reaffirming a legacy of significant service to Crown and country.
## Distinguished Company
The successful affirmation of the Barony’s succession was the culmination of extensive and scholarly research, undertaken with immense dedication by the principals of the House. Their collective efforts ensured that the historical and genealogical evidence was presented with the rigour required for official review.
At the centre of this historic undertaking is **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, upon whom the ancient dignity of the Barony has been formally recognised as having devolved. As the present holder, Lady Nicoleta embodies the House’s commitment to honouring its past through active public service in the present.
Her Ladyship has been steadfastly supported by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**. As a dynamic force in the revitalisation of the House’s modern mission, Honorary Lord Răzvan has brought his own philosophy of achievement, encapsulated by his motto *Vincere Est Vivere*, to bear on the family’s philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
The generational continuity of the House is ensured in the person of **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron**. As heir to the dignity, his diligent genealogical and historical contributions proved indispensable. His scholarly work in assembling the intricate proofs of descent formed the very foundation of the successful petition, demonstrating a profound commitment to the stewardship of his future inheritance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of succession to an ancient barony by tenure, such as that of Brattleby, follows a precise, albeit understated, protocol. This process is distinct from an investiture or the creation of a new title by letters patent; it is, rather, the official confirmation of a pre-existing hereditary right. The procedure is one of legal and historical due diligence, whereby a formal memorial, supported by comprehensive genealogical and documentary proof, is submitted to the appropriate authorities for scrutiny.
The purpose of this rigorous examination is to ensure the absolute integrity of the historic record and to safeguard the framework of the peerage. The claim is meticulously reviewed to confirm an unbroken line of succession according to the laws and customs governing the specific dignity. Once this exhaustive review is complete and the claim is substantiated, the final and definitive step is publication.
The notice printed in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022) is therefore the *sine qua non* of this procedure. It serves as the official and public declaration that the claim has been examined by the Crown’s officers and found to be valid. This act transforms a private, historical fact into a matter of unimpeachable public record, allowing the rightful holder to assume their place in the order of precedence with legal and historical certainty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are powerfully encapsulated in its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed provides a moral compass, connecting the historic responsibilities of the Barony with the purpose-driven commitments of its present-day holders. ‘Fortitude’ recalls the martial courage and civic resilience of predecessors such as Colswein of Lincoln and Nichola de la Haye, while ‘Honour’ speaks to the integrity, deep-seated duty, and chivalric ideal of *noblesse oblige* that underpins the House’s modern philanthropic activities.
This hereditary motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a contemporary context, this signifies not military conquest but a profound commitment to overcoming challenges, striving for excellence, and actively shaping a legacy of positive achievement. It reflects a philosophy that to truly live is to engage with the world, to seek improvement, and to make a tangible impact.
Together, the two mottoes articulate a coherent philosophy: one of honouring a near-millennial inheritance not by passively inhabiting it, but by actively employing its strengths and principles for the service of the community in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony’s succession serves to reinforce and amplify its enduring commitment to public service and charitable endeavour. A central pillar of this renewed mission is the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, an established white-tie philanthropic gala which supports a carefully chosen beneficiary each year, marshalling support from across London’s diplomatic, cultural, and financial communities.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The charity's work, which includes art and play therapy programmes as well as professional counselling for families, focuses on providing vulnerable young people with the tools to process their experiences and build secure, resilient futures.
The selection of this cause reflects the House's belief that true nobility finds its highest expression in service to the most vulnerable members of society. By directing its principal fundraising efforts towards this vital work, the House of Brattleby seeks to make a measurable and lasting difference in the lives of children, primarily within Lincolnshire and the wider East Midlands, fulfilling the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* in a meaningful, modern context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the profound significance of the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To find one’s place in a lineage stretching back almost a thousand years to the Conquest is a deeply humbling realisation. It brings with it not a sense of entitlement, but of profound responsibility—a duty to honour the legacy of Nichola de la Haye and so many others by serving the community of Lincolnshire, and beyond, with all the fortitude and honour we can muster.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides the foundation upon which we stand, but it is our actions today that build the house in which future generations will live. This recognition is a renewed mandate for our philanthropic work and cultural initiatives. For us, to honour the past is to build a better future; that is a challenge we embrace with our whole hearts—for to conquer such challenges is, indeed, to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession to the Barony now formally recorded for posterity, The Noble House of Brattleby directs its energies towards a forward-looking agenda of service and cultural engagement. Preparations are now advancing for the next Annual Winter Banquet, an event which serves not only as the cornerstone of the House's charitable activities but also as a key moment for philanthropy in the London season.
Furthermore, the House will continue to develop its cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique academy, founded to promote the highest standards of etiquette and social precision, acts as a bridge for cultural exchange, fostering a deeper appreciation for the shared European traditions of civility and personal conduct. Through these diverse yet interconnected endeavours, the House of Brattleby seeks to ensure its venerable legacy remains vibrant, relevant, and dedicated to the public good for generations to come.
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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 a modern mission of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and public service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts through several key initiatives. These include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala benefiting children's charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. By blending its ancient heritage with a forward-looking commitment to community and education, the House of Brattleby strives to make a meaningful and positive contribution to society in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief to the King with 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the dignity has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com