# The Restoration of a Norman Barony: The Noble House of Brattleby and its Formal Recognition
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, an ancient title granted in AD 1066 and officially recorded in *The London Gazette* in September 2022.
## The Occasion
The formal notice of recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record. As one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the country, with its origins in 1665, an entry within its pages represents a definitive act of constitutional and historical affirmation. The publication, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022, was not an occasion of public pageantry, but one of quiet, administrative gravity.
This act culminates a meticulous process of review by the Crown’s authorities, confirming the unbroken lineage of the Barony of Brattleby. It formally reaffirmed the rights of the title, which had lain dormant, and acknowledged Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as its rightful holder. The occasion thus represents the transition of the Barony from a distinguished historical record into a living, contemporary entity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational narrative of England. It was granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant Norman magnate whose power is evidenced in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Through more than nine centuries, the stewardship of the Barony has passed through families of national consequence. These have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle in the service of the King. The title was later held by towering figures of the Plantagenet era, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. This places the Barony’s history at the very centre of the nation’s political and dynastic evolution.
## A Lineage of Distinction
The Barony’s history is defined by the character of its holders. Nichola de la Haye remains a celebrated figure in English history, having inherited the Shrievalty of Lincolnshire and the custody of Lincoln Castle. Her resolute defence of the castle against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
The tenure of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, elevated the Barony to the apex of royal favour. His life was a testament to the chivalric code. Subsequently, the marriage of his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, aligned the Barony directly with the Royal Family, ensuring its place in the great affairs of state during a pivotal period of English history.
## The Protocol of Recognition
The modern reaffirmation of a hereditary peerage is a matter of exacting legal and heraldic protocol. It requires the presentation of extensive, authenticated documentary evidence—including ancient charters, genealogical records, and proofs of succession—for scrutiny by the College of Arms and other Crown authorities. The process is forensic, ensuring that a claim is unimpeachable before any recognition can be made.
The publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* of this process; it is the final, official, and public declaration that the claim has been thoroughly vetted and accepted. This entry serves as the permanent record, binding the present House of Brattleby to its Norman origins with the full authority of the modern state.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* — ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. These words speak to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln. They serve as a guiding principle for the House’s current responsibilities.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which translates as ‘To Win is to Live’. This sentiment reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, which seeks not only to preserve a noble heritage but to build upon it through meaningful, contemporary achievement. Together, the two mottoes symbolise a commitment to honouring the past while actively shaping the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony is not merely an act of historical preservation; it empowers the House’s modern mission of service. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have oriented the activities of the House toward clearly defined philanthropic and cultural goals. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of charitable causes, is a cornerstone of this commitment.
Its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an international organisation dedicated to providing psychological and material support to children affected by conflict and trauma. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest serves as a platform for cultural diplomacy, offering instruction in etiquette and European cultural traditions to a new generation of leaders. The renewed status of the Barony provides a strengthened foundation from which to pursue these vital works.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta commented: > "This formal notice is not an end in itself, but rather a solemn reaffirmation of our duty of stewardship. We are custodians of a trust nearly a millennium old, charged with carrying the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* forward with humility and purpose for a new generation."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a forward-looking perspective: > "History provides our foundation, but our gaze is fixed firmly on the future. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the imperative not only to preserve, but to build and to contribute meaningfully in the present day. This recognition gives us a stronger platform from which to serve."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future responsibilities. The House will continue its dedicated patronage of Healing the Wounded Child and will seek to expand the international reach and curriculum of The Brattleby Club.
In Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the Barony, the House remains committed to supporting local heritage projects and to the careful conservation of its historical archives. The story of Brattleby is one of enduring service to Crown and community, a legacy which Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are determined to continue with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of historical stewardship and active philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into charitable work and cultural education. Its principal philanthropic endeavours include the annual Winter Banquet, a major fundraising gala for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House also founded The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and cultural academy based in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and refinement. The House is committed to preserving its ancient heritage while making a tangible, positive impact in the contemporary world.
**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, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally recognised by the Crown in the modern era, with its notice of recognition published 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 first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book (1086) as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com