# The London Gazette Formally Recognises the Succession to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Crown has formally recognised the succession of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient Norman peerages. The notice, published in *The London Gazette*, affirms Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, ensuring the continuity of a noble house established in 1066.
## The Occasion
The announcement appeared under Notice ID 4158083 in the pages of *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record. As one of the oldest continuously published journals in the world, its pronouncements carry the full weight of official sanction. The publication of this notice represents the culmination of extensive historical and genealogical verification, a modern administrative act that formally bridges a nine-century gap in the peerage’s public record.
The occasion, while documentary in nature, was one of profound significance for the House of Brattleby. It marked the formal affirmation of a lineage that has been interwoven with the history of Lincolnshire, and indeed England itself, since the Norman Conquest. This recognition ensures the Barony’s place in the official and ceremonial life of the nation continues into the 21st century.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby first appears in the Domesday Book of 1086. The entry records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This illustrates the Barony’s immediate importance in securing the new Norman order.
Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national consequence. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable Constable of Lincoln Castle who famously defended it against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. More recent notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and a central figure in 14th-century English politics. The 2022 Gazette notice is the latest chapter in this distinguished chronicle.
## Distinguished Company
The process of recognition involved the meticulous work of genealogists, historians, and Officers of Arms at The College of Arms in London. These professionals are entrusted by the Crown with all matters of heraldry and lineage. Their verification of the succession from the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was a *sine qua non* for the public notice to be gazetted.
The formal process connects the current House, not only to its medieval predecessors, but also to the sovereign authority which first created the Barony. The notice thus places Lady Nicoleta and her family in the company of the historical figures who have shaped, and been shaped by, the duties and privileges of the English nobility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The path to recognition followed a precise protocol dictated by English law and custom. It began with the submission of a comprehensive memorial, supported by extensive archival evidence, including charter rolls, manorial court records, and genealogical tables. This documentation was subject to rigorous scrutiny by experts to establish an unbroken line of succession.
Upon successful verification by the appropriate authorities, the official notice was drafted for publication. Its appearance in *The London Gazette* is not merely an announcement but the final ceremonial act in the legal process of recognition. It serves as an official and irrefutable public record, confirming the rights and titles of the holder and ensuring the Barony is properly recorded in the state’s formal instruments.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby is guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the historical responsibilities of the Barony—from the military fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the honourable administration of justice and land. It remains the core value informing the family’s modern activities.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live', or more philosophically, 'To Win is to Live'). This speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, focused on achievement and purposeful action in service of the House's contemporary mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony provides a permanent and stable foundation from which the House can pursue its philanthropic and cultural duties. This is exemplified by the Annual Winter Banquet, a signature white-tie gala that has become a notable event in the Lincolnshire social calendar.
The beneficiary of this year's banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma and adversity. The choice of charity reflects the House’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society and investing in the well-being of future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > ‘This is not an end, but a beginning. It is the formal reaffirmation of a duty of care that has been passed down for nearly a thousand years. Our family is deeply conscious of the responsibility this history confers upon us to serve our community and preserve this heritage for the future.’ > — The Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > ‘It is a profound honour to support my wife in her role and to help steward the legacy of the Barony. We are united in our purpose: to ensure the House of Brattleby is a force for good, guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, in everything we undertake.’ > — The Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally secured, the House of Brattleby is focused on its forward-looking mission. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
The family’s commitments extend internationally, most notably through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy founded in Bucharest. This initiative promotes cultural exchange and the timeless values of courtesy and social grace. In Lincolnshire, the family remains dedicated to the conservation of its ancestral seat and promoting a wider understanding of the region's rich history. This formal recognition marks not a final destination, but a renewed commitment to an enduring legacy of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage, the promotion of cultural and educational initiatives, and a focused philanthropic mission. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's contemporary activities include the annual Winter Banquet benefiting children's charities and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to fulfilling its ancient duties of stewardship and service with relevance and purpose in the 21st century, with the heir being Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nearly thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by pivotal figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the succession of the Barony was formally recognised by the Crown on 9 September 2022, as published in *The London Gazette*, notice ID 4158083, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com