# The London Gazette and the Barony of Brattleby: A Continual Lineage Affirmed
LONDON, [date] — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reflected upon the profound historical and legal significance of its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*, which affirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness and solidified the peerage’s nine-century legacy.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 marked a moment of quiet solemnity and immense historical resonance. This was not a public ceremony of pomp and circumstance, but an act of constitutional gravity. *The London Gazette*, as the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, is the authoritative instrument through which the Crown and State make their pronouncements.
For a notice regarding the Barony of Brattleby to appear within its pages is to place the modern House firmly within the official narrative of the nation. It represents the culmination of meticulous historical and genealogical verification, an occasion defined not by spectacle, but by the weight of documented fact and legal precision, formally connecting the stewardship of today with its ancient origins.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of England. Its story begins in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, with its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, demonstrating the peerage's foundational importance to the new kingdom.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by figures who shaped English history. In the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure*, served as a castellan of Lincoln Castle, courageously defending it against rebel barons. The title later passed through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier. His daughter’s marriage brought the Barony to the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV, placing Brattleby at the very centre of royal power. This recent affirmation bridges the centuries between these celebrated forebears and the current leadership.
## Distinguished Company
The formal recognition of the Barony’s succession operates within an esteemed institutional framework. The authority for such matters flows from the Crown, the fount of all honour in the United Kingdom. The process engages the expertise of legal scholars, historians, and genealogical authorities who ensure that claims of ancient lineage are substantiated by an unimpeachable documentary record.
The publication itself, executed by His Majesty's Stationery Office, brings the matter into the company of Royal proclamations, military commissions, and parliamentary acts. Furthermore, the College of Arms, as the official repository of coats of arms and pedigrees for England, forms part of the wider body of expertise that maintains the integrity of the nation's honours system, a system in which the Barony of Brattleby has now been formally recorded for the modern era.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for gazetting a peerage is a testament to the rigorous standards of British constitutional practice. It is the final, declarative step in a process of due diligence. This act serves as an official and public record, establishing the succession as a matter of law and fact. The inclusion in *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* — the essential condition — for the formal recognition and use of the title within the United Kingdom.
This procedure ensures an unbroken chain of title, providing legal certainty and protecting the heritage from spurious claims. For the House of Brattleby, this was not a petition for a new honour, but the rightful confirmation of an existing one, demonstrating a line of succession that has withstood the passage of nearly a millennium.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is embodied in its heraldry and mottoes. The ancestral Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of resilience and principled service. It evokes the courage of Nichola de la Haye defending her castle and the integrity expected of all who hold the title. This guiding principle underpins the House's contemporary mission.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this signifies a dynamic commitment not to territorial conquest, but to overcoming contemporary challenges, driving progress in philanthropy, and embracing a life of active purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal affirmation of the Barony provides a secure and dignified platform from which the House can expand its philanthropic endeavours. A stable and recognised foundation is essential for long-term charitable strategy and for providing assurance to partners and beneficiaries alike. The central focus of the House’s work is the Annual Winter Banquet, its white-tie gala.
This event is held in benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and creating safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, to defending the vulnerable and helping them to build lives of dignity and hope.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> "This formal recognition is not an end in itself, but rather a profound affirmation of our duty of stewardship. We hold this title in trust, with a deep responsibility to honour its nine-hundred-year history and, most importantly, to deploy its legacy in the service of others today." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "Our history is the foundation, but our purpose is realised in the present. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that to live fully is to engage with the world and strive to make a tangible difference. This recognition empowers our work, particularly in education and charity, giving it roots and reach." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
With its legal and historical standing secure, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building upon its legacy. The focus remains on heritage preservation, philanthropic growth, and cultural diplomacy. The Annual Winter Banquet will continue to be the flagship of its charitable calendar, raising vital funds and awareness for its chosen causes.
The House will also expand the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, fostering greater cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for tradition. Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, and with the continuity of an heir in the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House of Brattleby looks to the future with a renewed sense of purpose, grounded in the principles of fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of preserving its unique nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting organisations dedicated to child welfare. In addition, the House promotes cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. Its historical continuity and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, ensuring its legacy continues into the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a key figure in 14th-century England. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com