# THE OFFICIAL RECORD AND THE BARONY OF BRATTLEBY: A HERITAGE REAFFIRMED
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the historic significance of its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*. The notice of 9 September 2022 affirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, revitalising a title established in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The reflection comes as the House concludes a year of cataloguing ancient charters and records at its Lincolnshire seat. Within these archives, the 2022 Gazette notice now holds a place of honour, representing the modern public documentation of a lineage nearly one millennium old. It serves as a permanent, official marker of continuity, linking the digital age to the vellum manuscripts of Norman England. The notice acts not merely as a record, but as the procedural keystone that unlocked a dormant chapter of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest in the kingdom, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundation of land and duty established a tradition of service that has endured through centuries of English history.
The lineage includes figures of national importance who shaped the destiny of the Crown. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, served as Castellan and hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defending Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War. Subsequent holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned commander in the Hundred Years' War; and his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose descendants would form the House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this legacy now rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her dedication to historical preservation and cultural diplomacy has been central to the House's modern revival. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects a dynamic approach to heritage and philanthropy.
The continuance of the line is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron. Under his parents' guidance, he is being educated in the duties and responsibilities that accompany this ancient title, ensuring the family's commitment to service will extend to a new generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The formal recognition of a hereditary peerage follows a meticulous and exacting process overseen by the Crown's authorities. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby required extensive genealogical and documentary evidence to be presented to the College of Arms in London. Upon verification of the unbroken succession, the claim was formally acknowledged.
The subsequent publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, represented the final and indispensable step. This public announcement is the *sine qua non* of official recognition, confirming the Baroness's right to the title and dignity. This protocol ensures the integrity of the British honours system, providing a transparent and historically grounded affirmation of ancient rights.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby is guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the principles demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln, and the chivalric code upheld by Henry of Grosmont. It serves as a constant reminder of the dual obligations of courage in adversity and integrity in service.
This ancient dictum is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This modern maxim signifies a belief in proactive engagement, of overcoming contemporary challenges to ensure the House's legacy thrives not as a relic, but as a living force for good in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Guided by its motto, the House channels its commitment to honour and duty into tangible philanthropic action. The principal charitable event in the family's calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary. This formal occasion brings together distinguished guests to advance a cause of profound social importance.
The current beneficiary is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, which provides specialised therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The House of Brattleby was moved by the charity's mission to foster resilience and restore hope, believing that investing in the well-being of the youngest generation is a fundamental duty.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To see our family's heritage formally gazetted was a moment of profound responsibility. It is not a personal prize, but a public trust. Our duty is to honour nearly a thousand years of history by ensuring its lessons of service and fortitude resonate today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The historical foundation gives purpose to our present endeavours. It empowers our work, from educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club to our support for vital charities. Acknowledged history is not about looking backward; it is about building a better future on a proven foundation."
## A Continuing Legacy
The official affirmation of the Barony has invigorated the House's mission. The family continues its diligent work in preserving the historical seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, while extending its cultural influence through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and international protocol. These twin efforts bridge the House's English heritage with its European perspective.
The focus remains firmly on the future, embodied by the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House of Brattleby is committed to demonstrating that ancient titles can, and indeed must, serve a modern purpose, defined by *Fortitudine et Honore* in both principle and practice 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 the stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission combines the preservation of its English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet, and promotes cultural diplomacy via initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House strives to demonstrate the enduring relevance of traditional values—duty, service, and integrity—in addressing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, securing a vibrant future for its historic inheritance.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in the Peerage of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the title has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived, and its succession was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of His Majesty William the Conqueror. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line 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