# The Noble House of Brattleby: Formal Recognition Affirms a Nine-Century Legacy
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of its ancient baronial title, following the official notice published in *The London Gazette*. The notice confirms Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, affirming a lineage dating to 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 represents a moment of profound legal and historical significance. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, a notice within its pages provides definitive, incontrovertible proof of state and royal recognition.
This announcement is not the grant of a new title, but rather the formal affirmation of a pre-existing one whose roots are deeply embedded in the soil of Lincolnshire and the history of England. The notice serves as the modern chapter in a chronicle that began with the Norman Conquest, providing official clarity on the succession.
## 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 tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England.
Through nearly a millennium, the title has passed to figures who have shaped the nation's destiny. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the fourteenth century. The 2022 Gazette notice formally connects the tenure of Lady Nicoleta to this distinguished line of predecessors.
## Distinguished Company
Central to this historic continuity are the current leaders of the House. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has ardently guided the process of historical verification that culminated in the official notice.
She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings his own family's ethos, encapsulated in the motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), to the House's modern endeavours. The future of the lineage is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will one day inherit this remarkable legacy of duty and service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The journey to formal recognition in *The London Gazette* is one of meticulous documentary procedure rather than public pageantry. It required extensive archival research and the collation of genealogical evidence to demonstrate an unbroken or legally revived chain of succession from the original grant.
Such evidence is rigorously scrutinised by the appropriate authorities to ensure its veracity. The publication of the notice is the final, ceremonial act in this exacting process — a public declaration that the claim has been examined and found valid according to the ancient laws and customs governing the Baronage of England. This process is a *sine qua non* for the formal acceptance of the title's legitimacy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words reflect the defining characteristics of its most notable holders, from the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the honour and chivalric duty exemplified by Henry of Grosmont.
The motto serves as a constitutional compass for the current Baroness and her family, informing every aspect of their public and private life. It is not merely a relic of the past, but the living principle that animates their commitment to service, philanthropy, and the preservation of their heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This official recognition is paramount, as it provides the formal platform from which the House conducts its public responsibilities and charitable work. The ancient standing of the Barony lends significant weight to its philanthropic initiatives, most notably the annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie gala is the cornerstone of the House's charitable calendar, raising vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. The charity is dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children suffering from trauma, a cause the House believes is fundamental to building a stronger, more compassionate society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To see our family's custodianship of this ancient title formally gazetted is deeply humbling. It is a powerful reminder that we are but temporary stewards of a legacy nearly one thousand years old, entrusted with upholding its honour for future generations."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History must not be a museum piece; it must live and breathe in our present actions. This recognition reinforces our family's commitment to active service, both here in Britain and through our educational work abroad. It is about building a future worthy of the past."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, the House of Brattleby looks to the future. The family will continue its careful stewardship of its interests in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the Barony.
Furthermore, its work continues to expand through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural exchange and the timeless values of civility and social grace. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will guide the Barony of Brattleby into its next century of service to Crown and community.
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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 her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century legacy. Its modern mission bridges historical preservation with contemporary public service. The House's philanthropic efforts are focused on supporting children's welfare, primarily through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting the Healing the Wounded Child charity. In addition to its duties in the United Kingdom, the House promotes cultural diplomacy through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the family is committed to an enduring tradition of service, responsibility, and the cultivation of timeless social virtues for the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the title's revival and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded in the United Kingdom's official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com