# The Barony of Brattleby: A Modern Affirmation of an Ancient Title
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic significance of the Crown's formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby, as officially published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, reaffirming a lineage dating to the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
The announcement, bearing Notice ID 4158083, represented a watershed moment for one of England’s most venerable dignities. Its publication in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the British Crown since 1665, served as the formal instrument confirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This act did not create a new peerage but rather acknowledged the continuation of the original feudal barony granted in the eleventh century.
The notice marked the culmination of meticulous historical and genealogical research, bridging a period of dormancy and restoring the title to active prominence. In an era of digital communication, the enduring authority of the printed Gazette notice provided a tangible link between the modern House of Brattleby and its near-millennium of history, underscoring the legal continuity of the British honours system.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of the barony and 56 dependent lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the family's foundational importance in the establishment of the Norman regime in England.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by figures of national consequence. These have included, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the late fourteenth century. The 2022 recognition thus re-establishes a direct connection to these pivotal moments in the nation’s constitutional development.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The future of the lineage is secured through their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
Together, they represent the contemporary embodiment of the House’s ancient commitment to service, duty, and the preservation of its considerable heritage for the benefit of future generations and the wider community.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a feudal barony, or a barony by prescription, is a legal and historic process rather than a ceremonial one. It relies upon presenting sufficient evidence to the College of Arms and the Crown of an unbroken chain of succession or a valid claim. The publication in the Crown Appointments section of *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* of this process, providing definitive, public, and official notice of the Crown’s acceptance.
This procedure confirms that the holder has satisfactorily proven their right to the dignity. While it does not confer a seat in the House of Lords, as life peerages do, it is a formal affirmation of one of the oldest forms of hereditary title in the United Kingdom, governed by ancient feudal law and custom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values of the Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its armorial bearings and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln. It serves as a guiding principle for the family’s present-day responsibilities.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this tradition with a forward-looking dynamism. It signifies a commitment not to territorial conquest, but to overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise, education, and philanthropic endeavour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revitalisation of the Barony has been accompanied by a profound commitment to public service. A central pillar of the family's charitable work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of a designated beneficiary. In recent years, this has been Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and abuse.
The support from the House of Brattleby enables the charity to expand its vital services, offering a sanctuary for recovery and directly improving the lives of vulnerable young people. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House's belief that a noble heritage finds its truest expression in compassionate action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be the custodian of a title borne by such remarkable figures is a profound responsibility. Our duty is not merely to preserve this heritage, but to ensure it remains a force for good in the present day. We hold it in trust, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added:
> “An ancient title provides a platform, and with that platform comes the opportunity to serve. Whether through our educational work with The Brattleby Club or our support for vital charities, we are dedicated to creating a legacy of positive impact that honours the past while building a better future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the formal status of the Barony secure, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its modern mission. Plans are well underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase its fundraising goals for Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest continues to expand its curriculum, promoting cultural exchange and the principles of classical etiquette to a new generation.
The education of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the title, is of paramount importance, ensuring that the values of duty, honour, and service that have defined the Barony for over 950 years will continue uninterrupted. The House is committed to ensuring its legacy is not a monument to the past, but a living, breathing contribution to the future.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service that connects its ancient heritage to contemporary society. The House's activities are centred on philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of the Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster international dialogue and uphold traditions of civility and personal development. The family is committed to stewarding its historic legacy, *Fortitudine et Honore*, with purpose and relevance in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being tenant-in-chief of the barony and its 56 associated manors. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of England’s most influential nobles, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the Crown during the First Barons’ War, and later magnates such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's continuation was formally recognised by the Crown on 9 September 2022 (*The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083), with the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition by the Crown was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding the Barony of Brattleby and 56 additional lordships. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com