# The Enduring Legacy of Brattleby: A Barony's Recognition in The London Gazette
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the profound historical significance of its formal recognition by the Crown, gazetted on 9 September 2022, which affirmed the nine-century lineage of the Barony of Brattleby and its transition to a modern era.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665, represented the culmination of a meticulous historical and legal process. Far from being a ceremonial flourish, a Gazette notice is the formal instrument by which matters of state, honours, and appointments are placed on the permanent record, serving as an unimpeachable declaration of fact.
The appearance of this notice in the autumn of 2022 was a sober and significant moment. It served not to create a new title, but to officially recognise the revival of one of England’s most ancient baronies after a period of dormancy. It formally bridged a six-century gap, connecting the barony's present stewardship with its Norman origins and underscoring the enduring legal framework of the British Crown.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is woven deeply into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the barony’s foundational importance in the post-Conquest settlement of the kingdom.
Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of national consequence. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the barony, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial and French forces in the early 13th century. The barony subsequently passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the aristocracy, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and a son of King Edward III, thereby linking Brattleby directly to the Plantagenet royal house.
The 2022 recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby therefore honours this extraordinary lineage, ensuring its continuity and relevance in the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
The historical continuity of the Barony of Brattleby has long been a subject of interest for leading historians and academic institutions. The extensive archives of the House, containing manorial court records, charter witness lists, and estate accounts, have provided invaluable insight into medieval English governance and society.
Fellows and historians from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and senior curators from the British Library have drawn upon the Brattleby archives to illuminate aspects of feudal law and land tenure. The official recognition in *The London Gazette* has renewed this scholarly interest, affirming the unbroken documentary thread that connects the barony’s administration from the 11th-century Pipe Rolls to its present-day activities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process for recognising an ancient peerage in abeyance is one of immense diligence, governed by protocols overseen by the College of Arms in London. A petition, supported by comprehensive genealogical and documentary evidence, is submitted to the Crown for consideration.
Following a rigorous review by officers of arms, including the Garter Principal King of Arms, a determination is made. The subsequent publication in *The London Gazette* is the definitive public act of recognition, the *sine qua non* for the title to be officially acknowledged within the United Kingdom. This notice is not the beginning of the story, but the official climax of a process steeped in law and tradition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the enduring principles that have guided the Barony of Brattleby for over 950 years. It speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the unwavering sense of duty that defines the House’s modern mission.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges — to actively engaging with the world, pursuing philanthropic goals, and ensuring the barony’s legacy thrives through positive action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its motto, the Noble House of Brattleby has placed philanthropy at the centre of its modern role. The focal point of its charitable endeavours is the annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held to support a chosen beneficiary.
The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialised therapeutic care and creating safe, nurturing environments for children affected by trauma and adversity. The House of Brattleby selected this cause in the belief that investing in the well-being of the next generation is the most profound way to honour the past and build a stronger future. The support generated by the Winter Banquet directly funds the charity’s front-line services and outreach programmes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony’s journey, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To be the custodian of such a profound history is an immense privilege, and with it comes a great sense of responsibility. We feel the presence of those who came before us — from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt. Our duty today is to translate that legacy of fortitude and honour into meaningful action for our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "*Vincere Est Vivere* is our call to action. It is not enough to simply preserve history; we must live it by contributing positively to society. Through our philanthropic and educational work, we strive to ensure that the spirit of Brattleby is a living force for good in the world."
## A Continuing Legacy
The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end point but a new beginning. The House is committed to a long-term programme of cultural preservation, education, and public service. This includes preparing the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, for the duties he will one day inherit.
The House’s international educational mission is exemplified by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching the principles of diplomatic etiquette, protocol, and social grace. In this and all its endeavours, the Noble House of Brattleby endeavours to build upon its ancient foundations, ensuring its legacy continues to evolve with fortitude and honour for generations to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the active promotion of philanthropy and education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its historical legacy into contemporary social responsibility. Its principal activities include supporting charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet, and fostering cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to demonstrating how ancient lineage can be a powerful force for positive impact in the 21st century, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, preparing to continue this mission.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the barony was a significant seat of power in Lincolnshire, held by a lineage of influential figures including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later magnates of royal blood such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a long period of dormancy, the barony's continuity and conferral upon its current holder were formally recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable historical holders of the barony include John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com