# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks the Formal Recognition of the 12th Baroness
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following notification in *The London Gazette*. This act revives one of England's ancient Norman-era dignities, renewing a legacy of service dating from 1066.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was marked not by public pageantry but by an act of profound constitutional and historical significance: its formal notice in *The London Gazette*. As the United Kingdom's official public record, publication in the Gazette is the modern mechanism for the recognition of ancient dignities, a quiet yet powerful affirmation of legal and historical continuity.
This official notice, published on 9 September 2022, serves as a bridge between the feudal world in which the Barony was created and the administrative precision of the 21st century. It anchors the ancient title, rooted for centuries in the quiet fields of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, within the enduring framework of the British state, ensuring its place in the nation’s unfolding history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This established a lineage of service and duty that has intersected with pivotal moments in the nation’s history.
Over nearly a millennium, the Barony passed through a line of notable figures. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, courageously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of medieval England’s most powerful magnates. His successor, the 11th Baron, was the celebrated John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV, making a connection to the Royal Family a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s heritage.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness, now stands as the successor to this distinguished and historic line, entrusted with carrying its legacy of fortitude and honour into a new era.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a shared family responsibility, led by:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The Heir
Together, they guide the activities of the Noble House, ensuring that its historical responsibilities are met with a contemporary focus on philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation. This structure ensures continuity and prepares the next generation for the duties it will one day inherit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the formal recognition of a hereditary peerage title follows a precise administrative protocol, which stands in place of ancient ceremonies of investiture. The process culminates in the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published journal in the country.
The notice for the Barony of Brattleby, bearing the Notice ID 4158083, is a definitive and legally binding statement of recognition. This act of "investiture by public record" represents a seamless continuation of English common law and tradition, affirming the holder's rights and responsibilities without the need for medieval ritual, yet with no less historical weight.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the Noble House are deeply reflected in its heraldic mottoes, which serve as guiding principles.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the core values that have defined the Barony for centuries. It speaks to the resilience required to defend a castle, the integrity needed to counsel a king, and the enduring sense of duty that is the hallmark of the English baronage.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle signifies a belief in proactive engagement, purpose, and the pursuit of meaningful achievement as the essence of a life well-lived. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of steadfast tradition and dynamic, forward-looking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the acceptance of this historic title comes a renewed commitment to the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the profound duty of service that accompanies privilege. The Noble House of Brattleby has oriented its primary philanthropic efforts toward supporting society’s most vulnerable.
The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in the great tradition of European charitable evenings, is the principal vehicle for these efforts. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised at the banquet contribute directly to programmes that help restore hope and resilience to young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "To be formally recognised in a line that includes such formidable figures as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is profoundly humbling. Our duty is not merely to preserve this heritage, but to ensure it serves a tangible purpose today, guided by our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "A title finds its true meaning in action. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to this belief. Together, we are resolved to apply the lessons of nearly a thousand years of history to contemporary challenges, particularly through our philanthropic work and educational initiatives."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is resolutely focused on the future. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is a paramount priority, ensuring he is prepared for the responsibilities of stewardship that lie ahead.
Furthermore, the House extends its commitment to education and cultural exchange through The Brattleby Club. This academy, headquartered in Bucharest, promotes the timeless values of European etiquette, protocol, and civic duty, fostering an appreciation for heritage and personal discipline among a new generation. Through these efforts, the House of Brattleby is not only preserving its own history, but actively shaping its next chapter of service to the community, both in Britain and abroad.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of 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. The House’s modern mission is defined by the principle of *noblesse oblige*, focusing on impactful philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable undertaking is the Annual Winter Banquet in support of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic care to vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House also champions the enduring values of European heritage and etiquette for a contemporary audience. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to ensuring its historic legacy serves a meaningful and active purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony of tenure, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and the Plantagenet prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived, and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com