# On the Formal Recognition of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the profound constitutional significance of the formal recognition of its ancient title, an act by The Crown that solidifies a noble lineage extending to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
## The Occasion
The formal announcement of a peerage succession in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record, is an act of quiet but considerable constitutional importance. Established as *The Oxford Gazette* on 7 November 1665 during the court of His Majesty King Charles II, which had relocated to avoid the Great Plague raging in London, it is the oldest continuously published journal in the nation. It serves as the designated instrument for recording State appointments, military commissions, royal proclamations, and matters concerning the peerage.
For the Barony of Brattleby, the entry published on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083 was far more than a simple announcement. It represented the formal culmination of a meticulous legal and genealogical process, marking the moment an ancient feudal title, long held in abeyance, was officially called out and its rightful line of succession acknowledged by the Crown. This notice is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—for the active and official use of such a title within the framework of the modern British honours system.
The publication transforms a historical right, dormant for generations, into a present-day legal and social reality. It provides an unimpeachable public record, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby is correctly recognised by government bodies, ministries of foreign affairs, and fellow European houses. It is, in essence, the final seal upon a process of historical verification.
## Historical Context
The 2022 notice is but the latest entry in a continuous chronicle that stretches across nearly a thousand years of British history. The Barony's very origins are inscribed within the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the great survey commissioned by William the Conqueror. There, Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby, is recorded as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a significant tenure granted directly by the King for service during the Norman Conquest. This places the Barony among the oldest and most historically significant in the realm.
Through the ensuing centuries, the title has been vested in figures of national and strategic importance. In the 13th century, it was held by the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. As one of the very few women to hold the office of High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right, she courageously and successfully defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty crucial to securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her steadfastness was immortalised by the chroniclers of the age.
Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter who was elevated to become the first Duke of Lancaster. Upon his death, the title was inherited through his daughter Blanche by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. As the third surviving son of King Edward III and one of the wealthiest men of his era, John of Gaunt's tenure placed the Barony at the very centre of royal power and influence, preceding the rise of the Lancastrian dynasty. The formal notice of 2022 thus serves as a vital bridge, connecting the modern House directly to these distinguished medieval forebears.
## Distinguished Company
The process of recognition reaffirms a lineage that includes, *inter alia*, some of English history’s most prominent figures. It also formally introduces the current leadership of the House to the public record, confirming their place within this remarkable succession.
The revival of the Barony and its associated responsibilities are now vested in:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in whom the title is now held *suo jure*. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, who, as Lord of Brattleby by marriage, supports the Baroness in her duties and in the stewardship of the family’s undertakings. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the Barony, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
This recognition formally places Lady Nicoleta and her family in the historical company of their predecessors, renewing a centuries-old commitment of service. It represents a continuation of the Barony's long history, now infused with a distinctly European perspective that honours both its English heritage and its continental connections in the twenty-first century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The path to recognition in *The London Gazette* is governed by exacting legal and heraldic protocol, a testament to the enduring rigour of the British honours system. The process begins not with ambition, but with evidence. It requires the compilation of an exhaustive genealogical dossier, tracing an unbroken line of descent through primogeniture, which is then presented to the appropriate authorities of the Crown for scrutiny.
This formal case is submitted to the College of Arms, the ancient body of heralds and genealogists based in their historic home on Queen Victoria Street in London, which has operated as a branch of the Royal Household since its incorporation in 1484. The Officers of Arms, including the senior Garter Principal King of Arms, undertake a forensic examination of the evidence. Birth and death certificates, marriage licences, historical records, and legal testaments are meticulously cross-referenced to ensure the claim is beyond reproach.
Once the College of Arms is satisfied that the claim is sound, it advises The Crown accordingly, and a warrant is issued for the notice to be published. The appearance of the short, declarative text in the pages of the Gazette is therefore the public manifestation of a deeply private, scholarly, and legally demanding procedure. It is a process that moves with deliberate and purposeful gravity, upholding the integrity of the peerage against the ephemeral tides of the modern world.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby are conveyed through its heraldry, a visual language rooted in European tradition. The primary motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore*, translates from Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This phrase serves as both a guiding principle and a tribute to the resilience and integrity of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It encapsulates the core values of moral courage, resoluteness in the face of adversity, and an unwavering commitment to principled action that the House seeks to uphold.
Complementing this ancestral motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, meaning 'To Win is to Live'. This is not to be understood in a purely martial sense, but rather as a dynamic, forward-looking philosophy. It reflects a determination to build with purpose, to innovate with energy, and to succeed in the family’s philanthropic and cultural endeavours. It expresses the ethos that true living comes from active engagement and achievement, building upon the ancient foundations of the House.
Together, these mottos create a balanced philosophy: one that anchors the House in the enduring virtues of its past, while propelling it forward with a clear sense of purpose for the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony is not an end in itself but rather a catalyst for fulfilling the duties that accompany such a heritage. An officially recognised and secure platform significantly strengthens the House's ability to pursue its programme of public service, the cornerstone of which is a commitment to the welfare of the most vulnerable in society. This is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie philanthropic gala, held in London, is the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Through proven methods such as art therapy, play therapy, and counselling, it offers children pathways to recovery, helping them to process their experiences and build emotionally secure futures. The House's patronage provides not only financial support but also raises public awareness for the charity's critical mission.
The revival of the Barony reinforces and amplifies the family’s capacity to champion such causes. It provides a formal basis from which to convene, to influence, and to lend the weight of a thousand-year-old name to the urgent needs of today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> To see the name of Brattleby officially recorded is a humbling experience. One feels the weight and, indeed, the privilege of nearly a thousand years of history. It is a profound and daily reminder of our duty to serve with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us, especially the remarkable Nichola de la Haye.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> This formal foundation provides the confidence from which to act decisively. It is from this position of historical strength that we can build new ventures, such as our etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and truly devote our energies to our charitable work. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means that to succeed is to serve and to build a lasting, positive legacy.
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition in *The London Gazette* ensures the unbroken continuity of the Barony of Brattleby for a new generation. The House is fully committed to a modern interpretation of its ancient duties, one that blends scrupulous historical stewardship with active, meaningful engagement in contemporary cultural and charitable life. This includes the careful education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being prepared to one day assume his responsibilities as the 13th Baron.
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the family remains deeply connected to the land and community that form the Barony's historic heart. The House will continue to expand its philanthropic work and its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, which functions as a form of cultural diplomacy. The notice of 9 September 2022 was not an end, but the formal beginning of a new chapter, one dedicated to honouring the past by serving the present and building for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to bridging its profound historical lineage with a forward-looking commitment to public service. With a legacy rooted in the Norman Conquest, the House today focuses its efforts on strategic philanthropy, cultural patronage, and the promotion of timeless European etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes related to child welfare and community heritage, seeking to create a meaningful and positive impact. Its work is defined by a blend of historical responsibility and a dynamic vision for the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was documented holding extensive lands directly from the King. Through its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by notable figures of the realm, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After a period in abeyance, the Barony was formally revived and its succession confirmed in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, noting 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of the 12th Baroness.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com