# The Restoration of the Historic Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 9 September 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby formally announces the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, with the title vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness. This follows official recognition published today in *The London Gazette*, honouring a lineage dating from AD 1066.
## The Occasion
On this day, a significant moment in the near-millennial history of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded for posterity. The formal announcement of its revival marks the culmination of extensive genealogical research and adherence to the ancient legal traditions of the United Kingdom. This is not the creation of a new honour, but the rightful continuation of one of England’s most historic baronies after a period of abeyance.
The occasion is one of solemn reflection rather than public ceremony, its gravity underscored by its entry into the permanent public record. The publication in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the Crown, serves as the modern instrument of state recognition, a process steeped in centuries of protocol. The announcement from the House of Brattleby follows in observance of this, providing context to an act that connects the 21st century directly to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudal lordships in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational grant established a lineage of service and responsibility that has woven through the tapestry of English history.
Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These predecessors include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. More than a century later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a founding Knight of the Garter and the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His heir, the renowned prince and statesman John of Gaunt, became the 11th Baron, linking Brattleby directly to the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty. The revival of the title in Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, ensures this remarkable continuity endures.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this ancient title now rests with the senior members of The Noble House of Brattleby.
**Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, assumes the title, thereby accepting the historic responsibilities and duties attendant upon it. As the incumbent, Her Ladyship becomes the new custodian of the Barony's legacy and its commitment to public service.
**Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, supports the Baroness in all her duties. As Lord of the Barony by marriage, he brings to the House his own family’s tradition of dynamic leadership, guided by the motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
The line of succession is secured through their son, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, who becomes the 13th Baron and heir to the title. His upbringing and education are being oriented toward the long-term stewardship of the family's heritage and its associated obligations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a hereditary title follows a precise and legally defined protocol. The process required the submission of a thoroughly evidenced claim, demonstrating an unbroken line of succession and right to the title under English law. Upon successful review by the appropriate authorities, the claim is officially affirmed.
The *sine qua non* of this affirmation is its publication in *The London Gazette*. This formal notice (Notice ID 4158083) serves as the official and indisputable public record of the title's recognition, a procedure that has replaced the sovereign’s public proclamations of centuries past. Only after this official act does the House itself issue its own announcement, respecting the established order of precedence between State and Subject.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, Latin for 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This philosophical cornerstone reflects a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering dedication to duty and integrity. It is a principle embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude preserved the authority of the Crown in a time of national crisis.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, or 'To Conquer is to Live'. This maxim signifies a belief in purposeful action and the pursuit of meaningful goals as the essence of a worthy life. Together, the two mottos create a balanced philosophy of principled resilience and dynamic, forward-looking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony is not an end in itself but a means to amplify the House's long-standing commitment to philanthropy. The elevated platform afforded by the title will be dedicated to advancing charitable causes, with a primary focus on the well-being of vulnerable children.
The principal beneficiary of the House's fundraising efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing critical mental health support and trauma-informed care to young people. The House of Brattleby was drawn to its mission, which provides measurable, life-changing interventions for those who have suffered early-life adversity. The annual white-tie Winter Banquet, the House's premier philanthropic gala, will continue to serve as the chief vehicle for supporting this vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To assume this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. Our family is deeply conscious that we are but the latest custodians of a legacy stretching back nearly a millennium. Our purpose is to honour that history, not by dwelling in the past, but by serving the present through the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > This recognition validates centuries of history and provides a renewed foundation for our family's philanthropic work. While my own family motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*, winning is not an end in itself; it is the means to create positive, lasting change. It is a privilege to support the Baroness in this endeavour.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony's revival secured, The Noble House of Brattleby rededicates itself to its modern mission: bridging heritage with contemporary purpose. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will ensure that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are carried forward with diligence and a sense of public duty.
The House will continue to expand its cultural and philanthropic initiatives both in the United Kingdom and across Europe. The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, stands as a key example of this international outreach, promoting the timeless values of civility and social grace to a new generation of leaders. The Barony of Brattleby, rooted in the soil of Lincolnshire, thus looks forward to a future of engaged and purposeful service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby and its associated heritage. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: the meticulous preservation of its near-millennium-old legacy and the active pursuit of philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses its charitable efforts on organisations supporting children's welfare and mental health. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its annual philanthropic events in England, the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of historic titles in the service of contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period in abeyance, the Barony's continuation was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, vesting the title in Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice of the Barony's revival was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable previous holders of the title 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