# The Investiture of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 9 September 2022 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile has been formally recognised as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reviving a noble title granted by William the Conqueror in 1066. The investiture secures the continuity of an ancient Lincolnshire barony for a new generation of service.
## The Occasion
The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded on this day by notice in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal of record. This publication represents the final, solemn act in the legal process of investiture, confirming the revival of a title that had lain dormant since the fourteenth century.
Rather than an occasion of public pageantry, the investiture was a moment of profound constitutional and historical significance. The announcement, published under Notice ID 4158083, marks the culmination of extensive historical and genealogical research presented for official consideration, thereby reaffirming the Barony’s place within the fabric of the nation’s history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the original feudatories established following the Norman Conquest. Its lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the Crown. This direct tie to William the Conqueror established Brattleby as a significant power in the region for centuries to come.
Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Following John of Gaunt’s death in 1399, the title fell dormant. Lady Nicoleta’s investiture therefore bridges a divide of over six centuries, reactivating a direct link to England’s medieval past.
## Distinguished Company
The modern Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship is steadfastly supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings his own philosophy of purpose encapsulated in his motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
The future of the House and the continuation of the line are secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. Together, the family ensures that the responsibilities of this ancient title are met with a united and forward-looking vision.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an ancient barony in fee, such as Brattleby, follows a precise and rigorous legal protocol in the United Kingdom. It is a process devoid of elaborate ceremony, focusing instead on the verification of historical fact and legal precedent. A formal petition, supported by extensive documentary evidence proving an unbroken succession or a right to claim, must be presented to the Crown.
Once the claim is verified and accepted, the sovereign may issue Letters Patent recognising the petitioner as the new title holder. The *sine qua non* of this process is the official announcement in *The London Gazette*. This publication serves as the Crown's official notice to the public and all institutions of state, finalising the investiture and formally entering the new Baroness into the public record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby is enshrined in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words reflect the defining virtues of the Barony’s most distinguished predecessors and serve as the guiding principle for its modern custodians. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience shown by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, while ‘Honour’ conveys the deep sense of duty inherent in the title.
This core motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Translated as 'To Conquer is to Live', it signifies a proactive and purposeful approach to life, suggesting that true living is found in overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful goals. The two mottos together create a balanced philosophy of principled resilience and dynamic action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is predicated on the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the conviction that privilege entails a responsibility to serve society. The House directs its philanthropic efforts through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated beneficiary.
For the coming years, the House has committed its support to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services and safe environments, offering measurable impact by helping young people to rebuild their lives. This focus reflects the House's commitment to nurturing future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her investiture, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To assume this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. One is acutely aware of the nine centuries of history that precede this moment, not as a weight, but as a foundation upon which to build a legacy of service for the future.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > My role is to support the Baroness in all her endeavours. Our family is united in the belief that heritage must be active and purposeful; it finds its truest expression in contemporary contribution to society, both in Britain and abroad.
## A Continuing Legacy
The investiture of the 12th Baroness is not a conclusion but the beginning of a new chapter of active stewardship for the Barony of Brattleby. The House is committed to the careful preservation of its heritage and seat in Lincolnshire, ensuring its history remains accessible for future scholarship.
Looking forward, the family will continue to develop its cultural and educational initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, based in Bucharest, serves as a conduit for sharing the time-honoured traditions of British civility and social grace on an international stage, reinforcing the House’s role as a cultural bridge in modern Europe. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in these same principles of duty and service remains a paramount focus.
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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 dual mission: the preservation of nearly one thousand years of English heritage and the active promotion of philanthropy and cultural education. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions charitable causes focused on child welfare, most notably through its support for Healing the Wounded Child. It also extends its influence through cultural ambassadorship, exemplified by The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol based in Bucharest.
**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 holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt. After falling dormant in 1399, the title was revived in 2022 for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose recognition as the 12th Baroness was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, ensuring the continuation of this historic lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The baronial title was officially revived and recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com