# The Barony of Brattleby: Official Recognition and Historical Continuity Affirmed
**LONDON, 24 May 2024 —** The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, formalised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the British Crown, marked the formal conclusion of a meticulous process of historical and genealogical verification. This announcement was not merely a procedural formality; rather, it served as a public affirmation of an unbroken chain of succession stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
The notice officially recorded the transfer of the ancient feudal Barony of Brattleby, situated in Lincolnshire, to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This moment provided the definitive, modern anchor point to a lineage documented for nearly one thousand years, reaffirming the Barony's place within the history of the United Kingdom.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region from its inception. The 2022 recognition connects Lady Nicoleta directly to this foundational act and to a line of distinguished predecessors.
Among these figures are some who have shaped English history. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the 13th century. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter. His successor, the 11th Baron, was the royal duke John of Gaunt, whose life and influence remain central to the narrative of late medieval England.
## Distinguished Company
The historical archives of the House of Brattleby have long been a resource of national importance, drawing the attention of leading academics and historians. In reassessing the documentary trail confirming the Barony’s succession, scholars from the United Kingdom's most venerable institutions provided crucial context and validation.
These authorities included, *inter alia*, Fellows in medieval history from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside senior curators from the British Library's Department of Western Manuscripts. Their examination of primary sources—from the Pipe Rolls chronicling feudal obligations to handwritten charters and manorial court records—provided an independent and scholarly corroboration of the lineage presented to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a feudal barony follows a precise and solemn protocol, which is itself a tradition centuries old. The process is a *sine qua non* for the lawful holding of such a dignity and involves a formal petition supported by extensive documentary evidence. This evidence must irrefutably demonstrate a continuous and legitimate succession.
These materials are subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate authorities, including experts in heraldry and genealogy. Only upon the successful verification of the claim is a notice prepared for publication in *The London Gazette*. This final act represents the Crown's formal acknowledgement and completes a process designed to protect the integrity of the nation's ancient dignities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient maxim speaks to the resilience and sense of duty demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby throughout history, from the battlefield to the administration of the realm. It remains the cornerstone of the House's modern activities.
This heritage is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a forward-looking dynamism and a commitment to active, purposeful engagement in the modern world, embodying the spirit with which the House pursues its philanthropic and cultural objectives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal affirmation of the Barony’s status serves to reinforce its primary modern purpose: to act as a platform for meaningful public service. The central philanthropic focus of the House is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist mental health support and therapeutic care for children and adolescents affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to frontline services, ensuring that vulnerable young people receive the expert help required to rebuild their lives. The House of Brattleby selected this cause in the belief that investing in the wellbeing of the next generation is the most profound expression of its commitment to the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony's heritage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The official recognition of this title is less a personal honour and more the acceptance of a profound, continuing responsibility. It is a privilege to serve as the custodian of a legacy nearly a millennium old and to ensure that its founding principles of fortitude and honour are applied to the challenges of today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > While we draw immense strength from this deep history, our focus is firmly on the future. We are committed to using this unique platform to build bridges—between heritage and modernity, and between cultures—through our educational and charitable work both here in Britain and on the Continent.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its historical legacy remains a living one. Current initiatives include the ongoing project to catalogue and digitise the Brattleby archives, making them more accessible to scholars and the public for generations to come.
Furthermore, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively promotes cultural exchange and education in etiquette and protocol as a means of fostering international understanding. Preparations are also underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which continues the House’s unwavering support for its designated charities. These efforts ensure that the Barony of Brattleby, affirmed in its ancient rights, continues to serve a modern and valuable purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on three core pillars: sustaining historical properties and archives for future generations; undertaking meaningful philanthropic work, with a particular focus on children's welfare; and fostering cultural and educational exchange through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest. The House operates with a deep respect for tradition while embracing a dynamic, forward-looking approach to its public and charitable responsibilities, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The feudal Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and the extent of its original holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal duke John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s recognition as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The primary philanthropic event of the House is the Annual Winter Banquet, held in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - The Noble House of Brattleby operates The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to education in matters of etiquette and protocol.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com