# The Noble House of Brattleby Acknowledges Formal Recognition in *The London Gazette*
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a formal statement reflecting on the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing the title's historic continuity.
## The Occasion
The formal notice of recognition (Notice ID 4158083) appeared within the pages of *The London Gazette*, one of the official journals of record for the British Crown and Government. As the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published newspaper, founded in 1665, its pages have chronicled declarations of state, military appointments, and the granting of honours for over three and a half centuries.
To be gazetted is to have a matter entered into the permanent public record. The appearance of the Brattleby succession within this august publication was not a moment of celebration, but one of sober, legal finality. It marked the formal culmination of a meticulous process, providing the official sanction and public affirmation necessary for the Barony to proceed with its duties in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The 2022 notice represents the most recent chapter in a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and the extent of its lands were formally documented 20 years later in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most consequential figures in English history. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through the Lancastrian line to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and a son of King Edward III. This recognition of the 12th Baroness ensures this remarkable historical thread remains unbroken.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony now rests with the Vasile family, which has embraced the charge of preserving its ancient heritage while imbuing it with a renewed sense of purpose.
The Noble House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The line of succession is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. Together, they are responsible for the Barony's contemporary mission and its future direction.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a peerage title is a matter governed by exacting legal and historical protocol. While each case is unique, such a process invariably involves the submission of extensive genealogical and evidentiary material to the proper authorities of the Crown to prove a valid claim.
The public announcement in *The London Gazette* is the final and definitive step in this procedure. Its publication serves as an official and unimpeachable notice to the public, confirming the succession and the right of the holder to the title. This act is the *sine qua non* — the indispensable condition — for the formal life of the Barony, providing the legitimacy required for all subsequent official and philanthropic activities undertaken in its name.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This principle informs the House’s commitment to resilience in the face of challenge, and an unwavering adherence to integrity and duty in the stewardship of its ancient legacy.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, or 'To Conquer is to Live'. This maxim reflects a dynamic and purposeful approach to life, centred on active achievement and the will to create a positive and lasting impact through the House's various initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony provides the established platform from which the House can effectively pursue its philanthropic and cultural objectives. Central to this mission is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to raise funds and awareness for a chosen charitable beneficiary.
The principal beneficiary of these efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing essential therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have been affected by trauma, serious illness, or profound loss. The House’s support helps to ensure the charity can continue its vital work in offering specialised care to vulnerable young people. *Inter alia*, the House also pursues a cultural mission through The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), an academy dedicated to instruction in traditional etiquette and social graces.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the duty it represents.
> The recognition in *The London Gazette* was not a destination, but a solemn affirmation of our duty. It is a profound honour to carry forward a legacy shaped by figures like Nichola de la Haye, and our commitment is to steward this barony *Fortitudine et Honore* for the benefit of the community — both in Lincolnshire and further afield. > > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the forward-looking impetus provided by the formal status.
> My own belief is that *Vincere Est Vivere*. For us, this means actively building upon this historic foundation. The official recognition provides the stable platform from which we can launch meaningful initiatives to create a tangible, positive impact. This is not about resting on history, but using it as a springboard for service. > > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the formal line of succession now publicly recorded and secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused firmly on the future. The foundational work of securing the title's legal standing has transitioned into a new era of active service.
The House will continue to dedicate its efforts toward its core philanthropic and cultural commitments, including the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet and the ongoing development of The Brattleby Club. The recognition of 2022 was the start of a new public chapter, one in which the Barony of Brattleby is dedicated to honouring its past by building a worthy future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving the nearly thousand-year heritage of its seat in Lincolnshire, England, and pursuing a forward-looking agenda of philanthropy and cultural education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children. Its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster an appreciation for etiquette and heritage in a contemporary context, building bridges between British history and Continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and lands under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was a significant title held by powerful figures who shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a 13th-century Sheriff of Lincolnshire who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's succession was formally confirmed in the 21st century with the recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Official recognition of the 12th Baroness was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby, granted in AD 1066, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com