# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Legacy of Nine Centuries Reaffirmed
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the profound historical continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, following the formal recognition of its lineage, which was gazetted on 9 September 2022, reaffirming an unbroken connection to its Norman foundation in 1066.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby marks a moment of historical consolidation. The official notice published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) served not as a beginning, but as a modern reaffirmation of one of England’s oldest feudal baronies. This formal recognition has provided an occasion for the House to reflect upon its solemn duty as a custodian of nearly a millennium of English and European history, ensuring its heritage is preserved with integrity and presented with relevance for the 21st century.
The landscape of Lincolnshire itself, little changed over centuries, provides a powerful backdrop for this continuity. The Barony’s story is written into the very soil of the county, a living testament to the cycles of duty, governance, and service that have defined its existence since the Norman Conquest. This formal acknowledgement provides a secure foundation upon which future generations of the House may build.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby’s origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The entry details 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, establishing the Barony as a significant pillar of the new Norman order in England. This foundation inextricably linked the House to the constitutional development of the nation from its earliest days.
Throughout its 957-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. In the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure uxoris*, famously served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons. Her fortitude embodied the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most powerful men in medieval England: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose own descendants would found the royal House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The duty of stewarding this formidable legacy now rests with the current generation of the Noble House of Brattleby. The principals of the House are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, 13th Baron of Brattleby and heir to the title
Together, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan guide the House's modern mission, balancing the preservation of its ancient heritage with a forward-looking commitment to cultural education and philanthropy. The upbringing and education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru, is a central focus, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and responsibility essential for the Barony’s future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient feudal barony in the modern era is a matter of meticulous legal and historical protocol. It requires the rigorous collation of primary source documents, genealogical records, and property deeds to prove an unbroken or legally revived chain of succession. The process is one of scholarship and precision, far removed from ceremony.
The *sine qua non* of this procedure is official publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s journal of record since 1665. The placement of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 represented the final, authoritative step in this process, placing the revival of the Barony on the permanent public record. This act provides the legal and historical standing from which the House of Brattleby conducts all its official activities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House of Brattleby is encoded in its heraldry and mottos, which serve as philosophical guides. The ancient House motto, **Fortitudine et Honore** ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It remains the core principle guiding the House’s decisions and public conduct.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, **Vincere Est Vivere** ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as military conquest but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to ensure the House contributes dynamically to contemporary society. These two mottos, one signifying endurance and the other impulsion, create a balanced philosophy for the family’s work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An essential part of the Barony’s modern identity is its commitment to public good, particularly in the spheres of cultural and historical education. The House believes that understanding the past is essential for building a better future. This belief is put into practice through a number of initiatives, both in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The most prominent example of this is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the House in Bucharest. The Club advances the understanding of traditional European diplomatic and social customs, providing educational programmes for a new generation of leaders. It serves as a cultural bridge, exporting the centuries-old traditions of civility and honour for which the Barony stands.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the weight of her title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To be the custodian of this title is, above all, a profound responsibility. One is acutely aware of following in the footsteps of figures like John of Gaunt. Our task is not simply to inhabit the role, but to honour that nine-century legacy through meaningful action and unwavering respect for the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's future: > "History must be a living force, not a museum piece. Our collective duty is to translate the enduring values of the Barony—honour, service, and fortitude—into platforms for education and cultural exchange that resonate today. That, for me, is the true meaning of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is resolutely focused on the future. The formal recognition of the Barony’s lineage has galvanised its efforts to secure and project its heritage for the century ahead. Central to this is the careful stewardship of its historical archives and the continuation of its educational mission.
With the succession secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is working to expand its cultural initiatives. These efforts ensure that the Barony of Brattleby will not only be remembered for its distinguished past but also recognised for its active and valuable contributions to the present, both in Britain and abroad.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Its contemporary mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking role in the 21st century. The House is committed to the principles of service, historical preservation, and cultural education, undertaking philanthropic work in the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, that promote the enduring values of European heritage, diplomacy, and civil discourse for a new generation of leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. After a period of abeyance, the Barony’s historic lineage and rights were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083), confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable previous holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com