# A Formal Statement on the Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — This formal statement from the House of Brattleby affirms the profound historical significance of the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, a continuation of a noble lineage established at the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is an act of constitutional and historical weight. On 9 September 2022, Notice ID 4158083 formally recorded the succession of the Barony of Brattleby. This was not merely an administrative entry but the culmination of rigorous genealogical and legal verification, conducted in accordance with the ancient customs of the Realm.
*The London Gazette*, founded in 1665 as the official public record of the United Kingdom, serves as the documentary witness to matters of state, from military commissions to the assumption of honours. For the House of Brattleby, its pages provided the formal stage upon which a modern transition was united with its medieval origins, ensuring a seamless and publicly affirmed continuity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby stands as a rare and remarkable thread in the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman lord whose vast holdings were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, enumerating some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone.
This legacy of service and influence continued through successive generations. The fifth holder, Nichola de la Haye, emerged as one of the most formidable women of the Middle Ages, defending Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces on behalf of King John and his young son, Henry III. Her fortitude embodied the spirit of the House.
Centuries later, the Barony passed through marriage to the great Plantagenet houses. Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, held the title, which subsequently passed to his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. This direct connection places Brattleby at the very centre of the Lancastrian dynasty and the political dramas of the fourteenth century. The assumption of the title by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, therefore represents the continuation of a near-millennium of unbroken history.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming their roles, the current Lord and Lady of Brattleby lead a House dedicated to modern service, supported by a clear line of succession. The principals of the House are:
- Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage - Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby, Heir Apparent
Their collective work honours the traditions of the past while actively investing in the cultural, educational, and philanthropic landscape of the future, both in the United Kingdom and in Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony by writ is a process governed by stringent legal and heraldic protocols. It required the officers of the College of Arms in London to undertake exhaustive research, verifying the genealogical line of descent from the original grantee. This process is distinct from the creation of peerages by letters patent and relies entirely on documentary evidence of succession.
Once the claim was proven to the satisfaction of the Crown's authorities, the formal public announcement was prepared. The publication in *The London Gazette* is the final, indispensable step — the *sine qua non* — that enters the succession into the permanent official record of the United Kingdom. This act completes the circle between medieval law and its modern administrative counterpart, affirming the legitimacy of the title for the present age.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
A noble house is defined as much by its symbols as its actions. The motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a guiding principle. 'Fortitude' recalls the physical and moral courage of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, whilst 'Honour' speaks to the unwavering commitment to duty that the title demands.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern philosophy of overcoming challenges, driving progress, and embracing the active life of enterprise and philanthropy that complements the historic duties of the House. These mottos, together, synthesise the ancient and the modern.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby has long held that privilege entails responsibility. The primary expression of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, the House's flagship philanthropic event. This white-tie gala brings together distinguished guests to support a carefully chosen charitable cause.
The sole beneficiary of the Banquet is the foundation 'Healing the Wounded Child'. This organisation provides essential therapeutic care, psychological support, and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma, conflict, or loss. The funds raised contribute directly to specialist programmes that enable these young people to rebuild their lives and look to the future with hope.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> "To hold this title is to hold nine centuries of history in one's hands. It is not a possession, but a profound responsibility to those who came before and, crucially, to the generations yet to come. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is our daily guide." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House's contemporary mission:
> "History provides our foundation, but our work is in the present. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the imperative to actively build, to serve, and to ensure this great House continues to be a force for good in the world." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition marks not an end, but a beginning for the current generation. The House of Brattleby is committed to preserving its seat in Lincolnshire and deepening its connection to the local community and its history. The focus remains steadfastly on the future, embodied by the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
Furthermore, the House will expand its cultural and educational initiatives, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy serves as a bridge between British tradition and Continental refinement, fostering the 'soft arts' of diplomacy and social grace that are more vital than ever in an interconnected world. The Barony of Brattleby, nearly one thousand years from its creation, continues to evolve and serve.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern noble family, stewarding one of England’s oldest 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 principles of heritage preservation, cultural education, and strategic philanthropy. Its activities range from managing its historic seat in Lincolnshire to hosting its Annual Winter Banquet for children's charities and operating The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House’s mission is to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of traditional values, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring its ancient legacy is a dynamic force for good in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as controlling 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and members of the royal House of Lancaster, notably Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. As a barony by writ, its lineage has been a matter of meticulous record. The succession of the current holder was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable former holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com