# Official Communiqué on the Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 1 October 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby confirms the re-establishment of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, following its formal notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. The revival invests Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, opening a new chapter for the Norman-era title.
## The Occasion
The revival of one of England’s ancient baronies is an occasion marked not by public pageantry, but by the quiet solemnity of official record. The announcement appeared in the early autumn edition of *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the Crown, signifying a moment of profound historical continuity.
This formal act serves as a contemporary bridge to a storied past, one that stretches back uninterrupted to the Norman Conquest. In an era of ceaseless change, the re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby provides a rare and welcome anchor to nearly a millennium of English history, ensuring its legacy is carried forward with renewed purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the title’s significance from the very foundation of the Norman kingdom. The barony is thus woven into the fabric of England’s feudal history.
Over nine centuries, the title has passed through a line of distinguished holders. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, follows in the formidable tradition of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable siege. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, placing Brattleby at the very centre of royal and political life in medieval England.
## Distinguished Company
The responsibilities of this historic title are now held by the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The title is vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
Together, they form the nucleus of the modern House, embodying a shared commitment to upholding the traditions of the Barony while steering its activities toward contemporary philanthropic and cultural pursuits.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the investiture of such a title is a matter of precise legal and documentary procedure rather than feudal ceremony. The *sine qua non*, or essential condition, for the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival was its publication in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083. This notice constitutes an official and immutable public record.
This administrative act stands in contrast to the historical ceremonies of homage and fealty, where a baron would kneel before the monarch to pledge allegiance. Today, the commitment is no less profound, but it is affirmed through the sober and enduring instruments of state administration, which officially recognise the Barony’s rights and succession.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The spiritual and ethical framework of the House is articulated through its heraldic mottos. The primary motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*, meaning ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This ancient charge guides the family’s public duties, signifying a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering adherence to personal and public integrity.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which translates as ‘To Win is to Live’. This maxim speaks to a dynamic and purposeful approach to life, framing achievement not merely as a goal, but as the very essence of a meaningful existence dedicated to service and positive impact.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony provides a significant platform to advance the long-standing charitable commitments of the House. Central to this mission is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the family’s charitable endeavours.
The principal beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing psychological support and therapeutic care to children affected by trauma and adversity. The proceeds directly fund specialist programmes that enable vulnerable young people to rebuild their lives. Further to this, the House champions cultural diplomacy through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in etiquette and protocol.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “It is a profound honour, and an even greater responsibility, to assume this title. One is keenly aware of the nine centuries of history that precede this moment, and of the duty to serve the legacy of Brattleby and its people with fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the family’s forward-looking perspective: > “While the Barony is rooted in English history, its future lies in a commitment to service that transcends borders. It is our family’s shared resolve to ensure this ancient title acts as a force for good in the modern world, true to my own conviction that *Vincere Est Vivere*—that to win is to live a life of purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony of Brattleby formally re-established, The Noble House of Brattleby will direct its focus toward fulfilling its modern mission of service. The forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet will be the first major philanthropic event hosted under the auspices of the revived title, reinforcing its connection to the community.
The House will also continue its work through The Brattleby Club and other cultural initiatives, *inter alia*. Paramount to the long-term vision is the careful stewardship of the Barony’s heritage and the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to ensure that the legacy of Brattleby continues for generations to come, animated by the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 dedicated to stewarding a nine-hundred-year-old heritage with a distinctly modern and international focus. The House’s mission is to deploy the influence of its ancient title in the service of philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House seeks to provide a bridge between historical legacy and contemporary social responsibility, ensuring its contributions are both meaningful and enduring.
**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 history is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder in the region. Over the course of nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally re-established in 2022, a revival officially recorded in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to the Norman Conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its seat is Brattleby, Lincolnshire. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com