# The Noble House of Brattleby: Official Recognition of Ancient Lineage in The London Gazette
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the profound historical significance of its formal recognition in The London Gazette, which officially confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming an unbroken lineage dating from the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 marked a moment of profound legal and historical significance for the Barony of Brattleby. As the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal and the official public record since 1665, an entry in the Gazette constitutes a definitive statement of Crown and Government business. For the House of Brattleby, this notice was not the creation of a title, but rather the formal, public confirmation of a pre-existing right and an ancient dignity.
This official act served to reaffirm the unbroken succession of the Barony, which traces its origins to the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. The occasion, though procedural in nature, represents a vital link in a chain of stewardship extending across nearly a millennium of English history, ensuring the lineage is correctly recorded for future generations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding a remarkable 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. His position underscores the strategic importance of the region in consolidating Norman rule.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed through several of England’s most influential families. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness by tenure), a formidable castellan who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. More recent medieval holders include Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster—a founding Knight of the Garter—and his heir, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, joins a distinguished line of predecessors who have shaped the course of English history. The continuity of the Barony places the current holders in the company of figures central to the nation's development, including:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder in the Domesday survey whose loyalty to William the Conqueror helped secure the new kingdom. * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness, whose fortitude and military acumen in the service of King John and King Henry III preserved royal authority in a time of civil war. * **The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, KG**, 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and one of the most trusted counsellors to King Edward III. * **The Right Honourable John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, KG**, 11th Baron, whose immense wealth, political influence, and patronage of the arts defined his era and whose descendants founded the Lancastrian dynasty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony follows a distinct protocol rooted in English law and custom. As a barony by tenure, or prescriptive barony, its existence is proven through historical documentation of landholding and service to the Crown, rather than by a single letters patent. The process is one of legal and heraldic verification, culminating in an official pronouncement.
The notice in *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* of this public confirmation. It signifies that all necessary evidence has been reviewed and that the succession is formally acknowledged. This act ensures the titleholder is accorded the correct precedence, style, and recognition in official records, thereby preserving the dignity’s place within the fabric of the United Kingdom's ancient constitution.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the enduring commitment to courage, integrity, and dutiful service that has guided the family through generations, from the battlefield to the boardroom. It speaks to a resilience tempered by a profound sense of personal and public honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, brings a complementary ethos to the House, expressed in his personal motto: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim signifies a forward-looking and dynamic spirit, championing the belief that heritage must be actively engaged to thrive—through enterprise, philanthropy, and the constant pursuit of excellence.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Guided by their foundational principles, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have oriented the modern activities of the House toward impactful philanthropy. The centrepiece of their charitable calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to raise vital funds for a designated beneficiary. This year's proceedings will support Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapy and support to children experiencing trauma and adversity.
The House’s commitment extends to cultural education through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The Club advances a broader mission of cultural diplomacy, promoting the disciplines of social grace, protocol, and civic conduct as essential components of personal and professional development.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formalisation of her succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To see our family’s continuity formally acknowledged is deeply moving. It is not a claim to privilege, but a solemn acceptance of duty. We are merely custodians of a legacy bequeathed to us by nine centuries of history, and our charge is to honour it through service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s contemporary mission: > “History gives us roots, but it must also inspire our actions today. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means actively engaging with the world, building new ventures, and applying our heritage to make a positive contribution, particularly through our philanthropic work.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future. The lineage is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the responsibilities he will one day inherit.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are devoted to the careful stewardship of their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring its preservation for generations to come. Their forward commitment is to deepen the House's philanthropic impact and expand its educational initiatives, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby remains not a historical artefact, but a vibrant and conscientious force for good in the 21st century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission focuses on three core pillars: the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage; impactful philanthropy, most notably through its annual support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child; and cultural education via initiatives including The Brattleby Club. The House actively engages in its duties as a custodian of history while applying its legacy to address present-day challenges and contribute positively to society. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, or barony by tenure, originating in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive holdings were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been associated with key moments in English history and held by towering figures, *inter alia*, the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, the Plantagenet magnate Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised in a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially noticed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire according to the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The Motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com