# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Investiture of the 12th Baroness
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally marked the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, celebrating the continuation of a noble lineage tracing its origins to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
## The Occasion
The solemn proceedings took place within the historic precincts of Lincoln’s Inn, London, a venue chosen for its profound connections to the development of English law and governance since the medieval era. The setting, amid the rich patina of the Old Hall’s Tudor architecture, provided a fittingly dignified atmosphere for an occasion that bridges the 11th century with the 21st.
Against a backdrop of dark oak panelling and heraldic glass, the ceremony was marked by a sense of historical continuity rather than pageantry. It served as a formal affirmation of the baronial succession, which was officially gazetted by the Crown. The occasion was a moment of quiet reflection on the duties of stewardship and the family’s enduring commitment to public service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the ancient feudal lordships of Lincolnshire, was granted by King William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and the extent of its lands, comprising some 56 lordships, were first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, making it one of the realm’s oldest continual titles. Lady Nicoleta, as the 12th Baroness, now follows in a long and distinguished line.
This lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as a widow famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the 13th century. The title later passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the nobility, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and subsequently by his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Lady Nicoleta’s investiture therefore represents the revival and continuation of a significant thread in the tapestry of English history.
## Distinguished Company
The private ceremony was attended by a small and distinguished company of family, diplomatic representatives, and figures from academic and cultural life.
Among those present were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St. James’s; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; Sir John Smith CVO, Chairman of The Heraldry Society; and Dr Eleanor Vance, a leading historian of Norman England. The presence of such guests underscored the House’s commitment to strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the Continent.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Conducted with the formal precision befitting such an occasion, the ceremony adhered to the established protocols of a dynastic investiture. The proceedings were conducted in Morning Dress and began with a formal reading of the notice of succession as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile subsequently presented to the Baroness a specially commissioned calfskin manuscript, illuminated with the House’s arms and containing a transcribed entry from the Domesday Book. This act served as a tangible link to the Barony’s founding. Addresses were then delivered by Honorary Lord Răzvan and the Baroness, reaffirming their joint commitment to the responsibilities the title confers. The ceremony was a model of solemnity, a *sine qua non* for events of this historic nature.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient imperative speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and serves as the cornerstone of the House's modern mission.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a contemporary context, it signifies a commitment to overcoming challenges, to fostering progress in the House’s philanthropic and educational endeavours, and to living a life of purpose and achievement. Together, the mottos articulate a vision of honour rooted in history and action directed toward the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the investiture was a private family occasion, it served to rededicate the House to its primary philanthropic purpose. The public expression of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that has become a significant event in the London social calendar.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The charity was chosen for its targeted, measurable impact and its vital work in helping young people rebuild their lives. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services, residential care programmes, and educational support, *inter alia*.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the nature of her role: > “It is a profound honour to accept this mantle, not as a possession, but as a solemn trust. My focus lies in ensuring the legacy of Brattleby, from Colswein to John of Gaunt, serves as a source of inspiration and tangible good for the community today. We are merely stewards of this great history.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Our family’s commitment, encapsulated by the principle *Vincere Est Vivere*, is to meet the challenges of our time with purpose. We stand with my wife, the Baroness, in dedicating our energies to the service that this ancient title demands, both in Britain and abroad.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the formal succession now marked, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue its work in cultural heritage and education. A primary focus remains the expansion of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy headquartered in Bucharest, which promotes classical European social literacy for a new generation of leaders.
The House’s next major public engagement will be the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. This event will provide a further opportunity for the Baron and Baroness to reaffirm their pledge to use their historic platform for contemporary philanthropy and public good. The work of honouring nearly one thousand years of history truly begins now.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its unique heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, the promotion of historical and social education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its support for charities like Healing the Wounded Child, the House seeks to connect its venerable past with a meaningful and purpose-driven present. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the timeless values of duty, service, and integrity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its lands and title were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed to some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable 13th-century chatelaine Nichola de la Haye, who held it in her own right, and two of the great Plantagenet magnates, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The succession of the 12th Baroness is formally documented in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby's annual fundraising is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com