# The London Gazette and the Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the profound legal and historical significance of its formal recognition by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming a peerage dating from 1066.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken this occasion to reflect upon a milestone of profound historical importance. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* was not merely a procedural announcement; it represented the formal confirmation of an unbroken chain of succession stretching back to the Norman Conquest. This acknowledgement by the official public record of the United Kingdom marked the definitive conclusion to the Barony’s dormancy.
This moment of reflection allows for a considered appreciation of the duties and responsibilities that accompany such a remarkable lineage. Within the historic walls of the family seat, surrounded by archives that have witnessed the passage of nearly a millennium, the House reaffirms its commitment to its ancient motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of English history. Its origins were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which catalogued the 56 prosperous lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a grant from William the Conqueror in AD 1066. This established the Barony as one of the realm’s foundational peerages.
Throughout the centuries, its holders have been central to the nation’s development. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most significant figures of the High Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The formal Gazette notice of 2022, therefore, serves as a modern affirmation of this distinguished and continuous heritage.
## Distinguished Company
The confirmation of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby places her in a line of predecessors whose actions shaped the course of the nation. This lineage represents a distinguished company whose legacy the current House is charged with upholding for future generations.
Among this company are, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a direct tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror and one of the most powerful Norman lords in post-Conquest England. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness**, who as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle, was a pivotal royalist commander during the First Barons' War. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron**, an original Knight of the Garter, a famed military commander in the Hundred Years' War, and the first Duke of Lancaster. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron**, son of King Edward III, who held the Barony through his wife, Blanche of Lancaster, and was one of the most influential political figures of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the United Kingdom, matters of peerage and honours are governed by ancient custom and precise legal protocol. The recognition of a barony’s succession after a period of abeyance or dormancy is a formal process, the final step of which is publication in *The London Gazette*. Established in 1665, it is the oldest continuously published journal in the country and serves as the official public record of The Crown.
The publication of a notice, in this case bearing the unique identifier 4158083, is the *sine qua non* of official recognition. It provides a definitive, legally binding date for the assumption of the title and its associated dignities. This procedure ensures transparency and historical accuracy, transforming a genealogical claim into an acknowledged fact of the realm, recorded for posterity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottoes, which encapsulate its history and guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby for over 950 years, from the battlefield to the council chamber.
This ancient tenet is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a modern declaration of intent, signifying a dynamic and purposeful approach to the challenges of heritage stewardship and the active pursuit of the House’s philanthropic goals in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony has provided a renewed impetus for the philanthropic work that is central to the House’s modern mission. The principal beneficiary of the family’s efforts is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children suffering from complex developmental trauma.
Healing the Wounded Child delivers targeted interventions that help young people overcome the profound effects of abuse and neglect, enabling them to build secure and positive futures. The Noble House of Brattleby supports this vital work through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the charity’s flagship fundraising event, and through sustained advocacy to raise awareness of its mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The formal acknowledgement was less a moment of personal celebration and more a profound reminder of our duty. It is a responsibility owed to nine centuries of predecessors and, most importantly, to the generations yet to come. Our role is to be diligent custodians of this extraordinary legacy."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us our foundation, but our duty lies in present action. The recognition affirms our platform to serve more effectively, both in preserving our national heritage and in pursuing our charitable work. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about overcoming obstacles to make a tangible difference, and that is what we intend to do.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks to the future with a clear sense of purpose. The stewardship of the Barony will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions of service and honour that define his family.
In the nearer term, the House will continue its work in heritage conservation at its Lincolnshire seat, alongside its educational mission at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural communication. The planning for the next Annual Winter Banquet is already underway, ensuring that the legacy of the Barony remains a dynamic force for good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is defined by a blend of deep historical reverence and a forward-looking, international perspective. Its mission is to preserve nearly a millennium of heritage while actively engaging in philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House dedicates its primary charitable efforts to supporting vulnerable children and champions cross-cultural understanding through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest. Its guiding principle remains the ancient family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation and the extensive landholdings of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For centuries, the Barony has passed through some of England’s most powerful aristocratic families. Its holders have included distinguished figures such as Nichola de la Haye, a formidable royalist commander in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a long period of dormancy, the Barony's continuation was formally recognised and confirmed by The Crown, with the notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Issue 63811, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by a grant from William the Conqueror to its first holder, 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 seat of the Noble House of Brattleby is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com