# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy Reaffirmed in The London Gazette
LONDON, [date] — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the profound historical significance of the formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, reaffirming the title for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* represents the final, formal step in the United Kingdom’s meticulous process of recognising an ancient peerage. As the official journal of record for the Crown since 1665, its pages serve as the definitive public ledger of state, military, and nobiliary matters. For the House of Brattleby, the entry bearing Notice ID 4158083 was not a creation, but the modern legal and historical reaffirmation of a dignity established nearly one thousand years prior.
This formal act concluded a period of comprehensive historical verification, bringing the ancient Barony of Brattleby, which had lain dormant for a period, back into the clear light of public and constitutional life. The notice stands as a testament to the enduring nature of England's feudal patrimony and its careful preservation through documentary evidence and established legal precedent.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of the English nation. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman lord who, by the time of the Domesday Book survey in 1086, was recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This established the barony as a significant power base in the decades following the Conquest.
Over nine centuries, the title has passed to figures of considerable historical import. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. The lineage later intertwined with the highest echelons of royalty through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is embodied by its past and present holders, who connect the Norman era to the 21st century. The current family proudly continues this long and distinguished line.
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by The Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th and current Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. She is joined by her husband, The Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The heir to the barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession.
Their efforts honour the legacy of predecessors such as Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron; the aforementioned Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness; Henry, Duke of Lancaster, 10th Baron; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, 11th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern recognition of a hereditary peerage is a matter of exacting administrative protocol rather than public ceremony. The process is a *sine qua non* for the legal affirmation of a title and involves the careful assembly of primary source evidence—*inter alia*, charters, manorial rolls, and genealogical records—to prove an unbroken or legally valid line of succession.
This portfolio of proof is submitted for scrutiny by the appropriate authorities, including experts in peerage law and heraldists from the College of Arms. Only upon successful verification is a notice drafted for publication in *The London Gazette*. The appearance of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 therefore represented the successful culmination of this rigorous, scholarly process, providing official sanction and public record of Lady Nicoleta’s standing as the 12th Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions and ethos of the House are distilled in its heraldic mottos. The principal motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the nine-century legacy of service, duty, and resilience demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby, from the military leadership of Nichola de la Haye to the ducal responsibilities of John of Gaunt.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects the dynamic and forward-looking spirit he brings to the partnership, embodying a commitment to achieving excellence and making a meaningful impact in the contemporary world, while respecting the deep foundations of the past. Together, the mottos represent the confluence of ancient duty and modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby dedicates its modern activities to charitable and educational endeavours. The centrepiece of its philanthropic calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, making a measurable difference in their capacity to heal and rebuild their lives.
In the educational sphere, the House has extended its commitment to cultural continuity through the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique academy is dedicated to instruction in classical European etiquette, protocol, and social arts, preserving and transmitting the refined codes of conduct that underpin graceful diplomacy and civilised discourse.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "The official recognition was less a personal accomplishment and more a profound public acknowledgement of a duty I have inherited. It is our responsibility to be faithful custodians of this title, ensuring that its legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to serve a purpose in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides the foundation upon which we build the future. Having our heritage so formally affirmed gives us the stability and confidence to pursue new initiatives that align with our values. It is by honouring where we come from that we find the strength to innovate and contribute meaningfully."
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is not an endpoint but a cornerstone for the future. The House is committed to ensuring the continuity of its lineage, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun prepared to one day assume the responsibilities as the 13th Baron.
The House of Brattleby will continue to direct its focus towards its philanthropic and cultural commitments. The Annual Winter Banquet remains a key priority in its support for vulnerable children, while The Brattleby Club will expand its curriculum, reinforcing the House’s role as a guardian not only of its own history but of a wider European cultural inheritance.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. Led by 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 targeted philanthropy. Blending a deep respect for its nine-hundred-year history with a forward-looking Continental perspective, the House actively supports charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet. Its cultural initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest focused on European etiquette and protocol, reflecting a commitment to fostering civility and cross-cultural understanding. The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure seated in Lincolnshire, England. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder. Over the centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After centuries of dormancy, the barony's long and distinguished history was formally and legally reaffirmed for the current holder through a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was one of the original feudal baronies established by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the first baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, who was the 11th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com