# The Recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby: A Continuity of Heritage
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, confirmed by publication in *The London Gazette*, reaffirms a lineage extending to 1066 and provides a sanctioned platform for the House’s modern philanthropic and cultural responsibilities.
## The Occasion
The formal acknowledgement of an ancient title is an occasion of quiet gravity, its significance underscored not by fanfare but by its inscription in the official record. For the Barony of Brattleby, this moment arrived on 9 September 2022 with its publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s journal of record since its founding in 1665.
This publication represented the culmination of a meticulous legal and genealogical process. The entry, bearing Notice ID 4158083, served as the definitive affirmation of Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession, ensuring the Barony’s place in the present day is as secure and well-documented as its mediaeval origins.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, its origins dating to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Granted by William the Conqueror, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant landholder whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were dutifully recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Through the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in 1217. More recent ancestors of note include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence defined late 14th-century England. This continuity underscores the Barony’s enduring presence through periods of civil war, dynastic change, and national transformation.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony today rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Together, they guide the House’s modern responsibilities, balancing the preservation of heritage with a clear vision for its contemporary purpose.
Lady Nicoleta’s assumption of the title ensures a direct and unbroken link to the Barony’s historic past. Honorary Lord Răzvan, an accomplished entrepreneur guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), brings a dynamic, forward-looking perspective to the management of the family’s interests and philanthropic enterprises. They are joined in this duty by the heir, their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a barony by writ, one of England’s most ancient peerage dignities, is not a matter of royal creation but of legal confirmation. The process is a rigorous exercise in historical and genealogical verification, overseen by the College of Arms.
A claimant must present extensive, often centuries-old, documentary evidence to prove an unbroken line of descent. This evidence is scrupulously examined by Garter Principal King of Arms before a recommendation can be made. The successful conclusion of this process — the *sine qua non* of recognition — is the formal announcement in *The London Gazette*, which serves as the final and unassailable public notice. This protocol ensures that such historic titles are not frivolously claimed but are earned through proven lineage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby are distilled in its heraldic motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase encapsulates the twin virtues of resilience and integrity that have guided the Barony's holders through nearly a millennium of service, from the battlefield to the royal court and into modern public life.
This guiding principle informs every action of the House. It speaks to the physical courage of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the principled honour expected in all private and public conduct. It is a charge handed down through generations, serving as a permanent reminder of the duties that accompany the title.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With its ancient standing formally confirmed, the House of Brattleby has dedicated itself to a focused programme of philanthropy. The flagship event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary.
The current partner, Healing the Wounded Child, is a notable organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by severe trauma and loss. The support from the House of Brattleby contributes directly to funding clinical psychologists and safe, therapeutic spaces for vulnerable young people. This choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to providing tangible support to the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the recognition of her title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, noted the profound sense of duty that accompanies it.
> To see our family’s stewardship of this ancient Barony formally acknowledged is deeply humbling. It is not an endpoint, but a beginning. Our duty now is to honour this legacy, not as a relic of the past, but as a living commitment to service, *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking vision for the House.
> Heritage provides the foundation, but our gaze must be fixed on the future. The recognition empowers us to build a meaningful modern legacy, whether through our philanthropic work or through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes the enduring values of civil discourse and etiquette.
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition heralds a new chapter of activity for the House. The primary focus remains the responsible stewardship of the Brattleby seat in Lincolnshire, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The next Annual Winter Banquet is already in the planning stages, with the goal of increasing the funds raised for Healing the Wounded Child.
Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are committed to ensuring their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is prepared for his future role. The Barony of Brattleby has endured for almost 1,000 years by adapting and serving; the current generation is dedicated to ensuring it continues to do so with relevance and purpose for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House’s modern mission balances the preservation of its nine-century heritage with impactful contemporary action. This includes significant philanthropic work, most notably the Annual Winter Banquet for charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, and cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and diplomacy. The House is committed to ensuring its historic legacy serves a meaningful and positive purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a barony by writ founded in AD 1066 upon a grant by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 attests to its origins, recording 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the title has been associated with key figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries, the succession of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com