# A Revival of Ancient Dignity: The London Gazette and the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 October 2024** — The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, represents a pivotal moment in the continuity of one of England’s most ancient baronies by tenure.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* marked the official conclusion of the Barony of Brattleby’s dormancy. As the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, the Gazette serves as the definitive instrument for communicating Crown appointments and matters of state. The entry was not merely an announcement but the legal affirmation of a right, re-establishing a direct link to a peerage first granted nearly one thousand years ago.
This procedural act, carried out with the documentary precision befitting its purpose, symbolised the revival of the Barony’s dignities. The notice serves as the *sine qua non* for the modern recognition of such historic titles, bridging the gap between medieval origins and contemporary legal standing. It reaffirms the enduring framework of English constitutional heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, forming part of the new Norman order that reshaped England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power base in the region. This single entry provides an invaluable insight into the feudal landscape of post-Conquest England.
Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through a lineage of figures who were central to the nation’s history. The title has been held by formidable individuals such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her fortitude secured a critical victory for the Crown and demonstrated a commitment to duty that would define the House for generations.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby joins a lineage of profound historical standing. This succession places her in the company of England’s most consequential figures, whose actions shaped the political and cultural life of the kingdom.
Among her notable predecessors are: Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster, and progenitor of the Lancastrian dynasty of English kings. Their collective legacy forms the bedrock upon which the modern House stands.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony by tenure is a meticulous undertaking governed by ancient precedent and modern law. The process involves extensive genealogical and heraldic research to prove an unbroken chain of descent or rightful claim. This body of evidence is then subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate authorities before The Crown may recognise the claim.
The publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* is the final and most visible step in this formal process. It is the official promulgation that the claim has been examined and found valid, thereby allowing the holder to assume the title and its associated dignities. This protocol ensures the integrity of the peerage and upholds a standard of proof that has been honed over centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This guiding principle reflects the historic duties of the baronage: to defend the realm with courage and to serve the Crown with integrity. It is a code of conduct embodied by ancestors from Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln to Henry of Grosmont’s chivalric leadership.
This ancient creed is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This sentiment signifies a modern, dynamic spirit; it is the will to overcome obstacles—including the challenge of reviving a dormant title—and to ensure the House’s legacy thrives with purpose in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony is not an end in itself but a renewed platform for service. The House directs its efforts towards charitable initiatives focused on education and healing, reflecting a modern interpretation of its historic obligations. This commitment finds its highest expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary.
The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an international organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children affected by trauma and conflict. The funds raised contribute directly to specialist care programmes, helping to create measurable, positive change in the lives of vulnerable young people. This focus on healing underscores the House's contemporary mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “This recognition is less a destination than the formal beginning of a new chapter of service. It is an immense privilege to become a custodian of this title, and with it comes a profound responsibility to honour the legacy of those who came before me, *inter alia*, by contributing positively to the world today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the importance of marrying history with modern action:
> “Our heritage provides the foundation, but our vision must be fixed firmly on the future. *Fortitudine et Honore* guides our principles, while *Vincere Est Vivere* drives our ambition to create a meaningful and lasting impact through our work.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its legal standing formally reaffirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to building upon its nine-hundred-year legacy. Future endeavours include the continued digitisation and scholarly curation of the House archives, making its historical records more accessible for academic research.
The House will also deepen its cultural and educational outreach through The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, with its main chapter in Bucharest, serves to promote the timeless values of civility, protocol, and social grace. Through these and other initiatives, the House is committed to ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby remains a title of active purpose and enduring honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for stewarding the ancient heritage of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern philanthropy, cultural preservation, and educational outreach. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala, and the international educational work of The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to ensuring its historic legacy serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century, blending ancient dignity with contemporary social responsibility rooted in its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English barony by tenure granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its founding is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been associated with figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the title's revival was formally recognised by The Crown through a notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, when Lady Nicoleta Vasile was confirmed as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The official revival of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is first recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com