# A Legacy Reaffirmed: The Noble House of Brattleby and its Formal Recognition in The London Gazette
LONDON, 21 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the profound significance of its formal recognition by The London Gazette in 2022, an official act that reaffirmed the continuity of the ancient Barony of Brattleby and the succession of its twelfth holder.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is the definitive legal instrument for the affirmation of peerage claims within the United Kingdom. As the official journal of record for the Crown since 1665, its pronouncements carry the full weight of sovereign authority. The notice concerning the Barony of Brattleby, bearing the Identity Number 4158083 and published on 9 September 2022, was therefore the quiet yet momentous culmination of a meticulous process.
This notice did not create a new title but rather formally recognised the end of a long period of dormancy for one of England’s most ancient baronies. It legally confirmed the succession of the title upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, establishing her as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby and ensuring the continuation of a noble lineage stretching back nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a fact later recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundational survey of England noted that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held an extensive portfolio of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the early Norman realm.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, successfully defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. The title later passed to the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV. The 2022 recognition thus serves as a modern link in an unbroken chain of service and duty to the Crown and nation.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Noble House of Brattleby is secured by its present leadership and designated heir. The principal members of the House are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby
Together, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan guide the House’s contemporary mission, balancing the custodianship of its significant heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun represents the future of the lineage, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby will continue for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The formal recognition of an ancient title is a matter of exacting legal and heraldic protocol. The process requires comprehensive genealogical and documentary evidence to be presented to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms, to prove an uninterrupted right to succession. This exhaustive research forms the basis upon which the Crown, through its officers, may make its determination.
The publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* is the final, public step in this procedure and serves as the *sine qua non* of official recognition. This act formally places the succession on the public record, concluding the barony's dormancy and vesting the title in the rightful heir. It is a testament to the rigorous standards that uphold the integrity of the British honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its powerful heraldic symbols. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of integrity, resilience, and duty that have defined the Barons of Brattleby for over nine centuries, from the battlefield to the state council.
This enduring ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic, modern spirit of striving for excellence and overcoming challenges, whether in professional life or in the service of the House’s philanthropic goals. These mottos, combined with the House's ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, form a rich tapestry of history, purpose, and place.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Today, the Noble House of Brattleby translates its historical duty of service into a focused commitment to charitable endeavour. The House’s work is primarily channelled through its annual Winter Banquet, a revered white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of its social and charitable calendar.
The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing critical therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to specialist programmes that foster emotional recovery and resilience, allowing vulnerable young people to rebuild their lives. This focus on healing and development reflects the House's belief that true nobility is expressed through compassion and action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To see the Barony's continuity formally affirmed was a moment of profound humility. One feels the weight of history and the gaze of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye. My foremost duty is to honour that legacy, not as a relic of the past, but as a living platform for service in the present day."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Supporting my wife in her inheritance is a singular honour. We share a vision where the heritage of Brattleby fuels our contemporary work. For me, *Vincere Est Vivere* is about applying a determined spirit to our shared philanthropic goals and educational initiatives, ensuring the House makes a tangible, positive impact."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its legal standing formally reaffirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to strengthening its modern mission. The stewardship of its Lincolnshire heritage will proceed in parallel with the expansion of its philanthropic and educational programmes. These include the continued support for Healing the Wounded Child and the development of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest.
The House looks to the future with a deep sense of purpose, committed to its role as a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history and as an active contributor to the common good. Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, and with the succession secured in Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the legacy of Brattleby continues, fortified by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing one of England’s most ancient baronial families. 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 modern service rooted in historical duty. Its work focuses on impactful philanthropy, primarily through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and on cultural education via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By blending the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage with a forward-looking commitment to social betterment, the House serves as a bridge between England's past and a global, compassionate future, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a peerage title of great antiquity. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a major landowner in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been 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 John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and progenitor of a royal dynasty. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's continuation was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, affirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Issue 63811, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - 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