# A Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby Affirms Its Historical Continuum
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the completion of formal research affirming the historical continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, following its modern recognition in 2022 under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the twelfth holder of this ancient and distinguished English title.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a formal statement detailing the unbroken provenance of one of England’s most venerable baronies. This announcement follows the official recognition of the succession published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, serving to contextualise the modern Barony within its near-millennial history.
The research underscores a period of careful archival consolidation, undertaken to ensure that the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the duties and traditions vested in the title since the Norman Conquest. It is an act of historical affirmation, connecting the present day to a remarkable and storied past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, shortly after his victory at Hastings. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant Norman magnate who, by the time of the Domesday Book survey of 1086, held 56 manorial lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. His position established the Barony as a cornerstone of Norman power in the region.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the title has been held by figures central to the history of the nation. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Subsequently, the Barony was held by the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## A Dynastic Continuum
The recent research clarifies the dynastic line of succession, bridging the period from its tenure under the House of Lancaster to its present day. The recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness represents not the creation of a new peerage, but the formal continuation of the original, an uncommon and significant event in English heraldic and titular custom.
This revival ensures the preservation of a title that has been intimately woven into the fabric of English constitutional development. The current generation, led by Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, thus stands as the direct inheritor of the obligations and traditions upheld by their notable predecessors. The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern recognition of an ancient barony follows a protocol that is itself a blend of historical precedent and contemporary legal practice. Unlike the medieval ceremony of investiture, which involved an oath of fealty sworn directly to the monarch, the current process is a meticulous documentary undertaking overseen by the Crown Office.
It requires the presentation of an unimpeachable body of evidence demonstrating continuous and legitimate succession. This evidence is then scrutinised by Garter Principal King of Arms and other officers of the College of Arms before a notice of recognition can be formally published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record. This rigorous procedure is the modern *sine qua non* for confirming the rights to such a title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring values of the Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its heraldry and mottoes. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of principled leadership and resilience, from Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln to the steadfast governance of later barons.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer Is to Live'). This maxim is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern commitment to overcoming challenges, fostering cultural growth, and pursuing excellence in all endeavours — a philosophy that animates the family's contemporary work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the honour of the title comes a profound sense of duty. The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated its philanthropic efforts to supporting vulnerable children, with the organisation Healing the Wounded Child designated as the primary beneficiary of its charitable activities.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that gathers supporters and patrons to raise essential funds. The chosen charity focuses on providing specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, helping them to rebuild their lives and realise their full potential.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “To be the custodian of a legacy stretching back to the Conquest is a profoundly humbling responsibility. Our duty is not merely to preserve the history of Brattleby, but to ensure its spirit of fortitude and honour continues to serve society in a meaningful way for generations to come.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a forward-looking perspective: > “History provides the roots, but service gives the tree its branches. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club and our charitable work, we seek to apply the lessons of the past to cultivate knowledge, integrity, and resilience in the present. This is how a great legacy remains vital.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage is an active force for good in the 21st century. This commitment is realised through a focused programme of cultural education, historical conservation, and targeted philanthropy.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to expand the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, its distinguished etiquette and protocol academy, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and professional refinement. The family remains steadfast in its role as custodians, dedicated to upholding the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* for the benefit of the community and in preparation for the eventual succession of the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronial lines. With its seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends a profound respect for its English heritage with a dynamic, Continental perspective. Its contemporary mission is focused on three core pillars: philanthropy, particularly in support of vulnerable children; education through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest; and the diligent conservation of its unique historical legacy. The House is committed to active service, applying the enduring principles of fortitude and honour to meet the challenges of the modern world, with the legacy secured for 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 of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including the powerful 13th-century Sheriff, Nichola de la Haye, and two of the greatest magnates of the Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The continuous historical lineage of this distinguished title received formal recognition in the modern era by an official notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice of recognition for the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of His Majesty King William I. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the historical heart of the baronial lands recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com