# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms Historic Continuation of Ancient Title
**LONDON, 16 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the historic continuation of the Barony of Brattleby, formally recognised in 2022, thereby ensuring the unbroken nine-century lineage of one of England’s most ancient Norman titles.
## The Occasion
From its administrative offices in London, the House of Brattleby formally marks the significance of the Crown's recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This acknowledgement, gazetted in the autumn of 2022, was not the creation of a new peerage but the official confirmation of a continuous thread of succession stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
The announcement serves to contextualise the modern role of the Barony, situated at the confluence of ancient duty and contemporary purpose. It reaffirms the family’s stewardship of a legacy that has interwoven itself with the constitutional and military history of the nation for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal vassal, Colswein of Lincoln, who became the 1st Baron. The scale of this endowment is recorded with precision in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein, with Brattleby as the primary seat of his power.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by figures of immense national importance. One notable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, distinguished herself as a formidable military leader, twice defending Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the reign of King John. Her fortitude stands as a powerful historical analogue for the leadership of the current Baroness.
Later, the title passed through marriage into the Plantagenet royal line. Both Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, held the title. This anchored the Barony directly to the heart of royal power and the foundational history of the House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The modern House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her consort and steadfast supporter in all public duties is Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
The direct line of succession is secured through their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. Together, they represent a new generation dedicated to honouring the Barony's past while charting a course of relevance and service for its future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuation of an ancient barony follows a rigorous protocol, distinct from the creation of new peerages. The process involves a detailed genealogical petition to the Crown, presenting comprehensive evidence of an unbroken line of succession. This claim is then meticulously reviewed by the College of Arms, the official heraldic authority for England.
Upon successful verification, the Royal recognition is made manifest through a formal notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record. For the Barony of Brattleby, this definitive declaration appeared on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, confirming Lady Nicoleta’s rightful succession. This act is the legal *sine qua non* for the public use of the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the actions of its forebears, from the martial prowess of Nichola de la Haye to the ducal statecraft of John of Gaunt, and remains the cornerstone of the family’s modern activities.
Complementing the ancestral motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic, forward-looking ethos of purpose and achievement, a belief that true vitality is found in surmounting challenges, whether in philanthropy, business, or cultural preservation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House directs its efforts towards tangible social good. The centrepiece of its philanthropic calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated charity.
The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children who have experienced profound trauma or loss. The funds raised contribute directly to programmes that help rebuild young lives, a cause the House champions with unwavering commitment. Further, the family supports cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and protocol.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To be a custodian of this title is a profound honour, one that carries the weight of history in every decision. When you consider the legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, you realise your duty is not merely to the past, but to embody its strength in the present. Our family is committed to serving with that same fortitude."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "While our roots are nearly a thousand years deep in English soil, our vision is firmly set on the future. *Fortitudine et Honore* guides our commitment to heritage, while *Vincere Est Vivere* drives our mission to make a measurable, positive impact today. It is about transforming legacy into active service."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage remains a vibrant and positive force. This commitment is expressed through the careful education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru, in the duties and history he will one day inherit.
The House’s philanthropic and cultural work will continue to expand. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, and The Brattleby Club continues to develop its curriculum. The family will maintain its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, honouring its sacred duty as custodians of a remarkable chapter in English history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and its expression through modern philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s mission, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is realised through dedicated charitable work, most notably its support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of traditional values in serving the contemporary community. The family is committed to fulfilling its historic duty of stewardship for future generations, with the succession secured by its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and two of the most powerful nobles of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt. The continuous succession of the Barony to the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony’s continuation is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron of Brattleby was Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House Motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com