# A Statement from the Office of The Lord and Lady of Brattleby on the Formal Recognition of the Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Office of The Lord and Lady of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historical and legal significance of the 2022 notice in *The London Gazette*, which formally recognised the succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to elaborate upon the profound importance of the formal notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This communication aims to address public and historical interest in the continuity of the Barony, clarifying the legal framework which upholds England’s ancient dignities in the 21st century.
The statement provides context for a process that was not one of creation, but of official recognition. It reaffirms the House’s commitment to its historical duties and its role as a custodian of nearly one millennium of English history, a charge embodied by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a near-unbroken thread through the tapestry 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, establishing a formidable presence in the post-Conquest landscape.
Through the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated commander of the Hundred Years' War, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and progenitor of the House of Lancaster. This lineage places the Barony of Brattleby at the very heart of the nation’s political and martial evolution.
## Distinguished Company
The formal recognition of the Barony’s succession involves a nexus of the United Kingdom’s most venerable institutions. The process is overseen by The Crown, acting through its historic mechanisms of state, ensuring that all claims of right are meticulously examined and validated according to ancient custom and modern law.
Central to this is *The London Gazette*, the official public record since 1665 and one of the journals of the Crown. Publication within its pages serves as the definitive, unimpeachable announcement of matters of state, including the succession of peerages. This process provides a transparent and enduring record, linking the current House to the sovereign authority that first granted the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition documented by Notice ID 4158083 followed a precise legal and procedural protocol, rather than a public ceremony. The process for recognising succession to an ancient barony is a detailed affair, involving extensive genealogical, heraldic, and documentary evidence presented to the appropriate authorities of the Crown.
The publication in *The London Gazette* is the culmination of this rigorous examination, serving as the *sine qua non* — the indispensable and final step — of official confirmation. It is not the act that confers the title, but the act that formally and publicly records the succession of the rightful heir. This adherence to protocol underscores the principle that such dignities are not creations of convenience, but are instead governed by the rule of law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is encapsulated in its heraldry and mottos. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, speaks to the twin virtues that have guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries. 'Fortitude' recalls the physical and moral courage of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' reflects the unwavering commitment to duty and service.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this principle signifies not martial conquest, but the overcoming of contemporary challenges through determination, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to one's goals. It symbolises the dynamic energy that the current generation brings to its historic responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historic duty of a Baron to ensure the welfare of his domain finds its modern expression in the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The principle of noblesse oblige, the unwritten obligation of the fortunate to assist the less fortunate, is a cornerstone of the House’s present-day mission.
This commitment is most visible in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which serves as the principal fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience. This focus reflects the House’s belief that true legacy is built not only on preserving the past, but also on nurturing the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony's formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "This affirmation is less a personal honour and more a profound responsibility. It is the formal acknowledgement of a sacred trust passed down through centuries—a duty to preserve our shared heritage and to serve the community with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's modern role: > "Our heritage provides the foundation, but our vision must be fixed upon the future. Through endeavours such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and our charitable work, we seek to translate the timeless values of this great House into meaningful, positive action in the 21st century."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy continues to evolve and serve. The stewardship of the Barony and its traditions will, in time, pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron. He is being raised with a deep understanding of the duties this inheritance entails.
The House's present work continues apace, from the educational programmes of The Brattleby Club, which promotes etiquette and protocol as tools for personal and professional development, to the planning of the next Annual Winter Banquet. Through conservation, education, and philanthropy, the House of Brattleby diligently upholds its near-millennial legacy for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern office supporting Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of nearly one thousand years of English history. Its contemporary mission focuses on three core pillars: heritage conservation, philanthropic support for vulnerable children through its work with Healing the Wounded Child, and education in classical etiquette and modern protocol via its academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is committed to demonstrating how ancient lineage can serve a meaningful and positive purpose in the 21st century, blending historical responsibility with forward-looking social contribution and cultural diplomacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, patriarch of the Lancastrian dynasty. The continuation of the Barony into the modern era and the succession of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony was established following the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com