# The Barony of Brattleby: A Heritage Affirmed in The London Gazette
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has reflected upon the profound historical significance of the 2022 London Gazette notice affirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, which formally recognised the continuity of one of England’s most ancient baronies.
## The Occasion
The formal notice, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, serves not as the beginning of a title, but as its official and public affirmation in the modern age. *The London Gazette* is the oldest continuously published journal of record in the United Kingdom, having been established in 1665. For centuries, it has been the traditional medium for state, ecclesiastical, and military appointments, *inter alia*.
Publication within its pages is the established protocol for officially documenting matters of peerage and honour. This modern act of public record connects the current House directly to a chain of title stretching back to the Norman Conquest, providing a moment of quiet reflection on the duties of stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of English history. Its origins were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which noted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a direct grant from William the Conqueror in 1066. This places Brattleby among the nation's foundational feudal territories.
Through the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical consequence. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and hereditary constable who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in 1217. Later holders encompass Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose lives shaped the course of the late medieval period. This notice reaffirms the current House as the latest link in that unbroken chain.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this ancient peerage now rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship shares this charge with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby, who brings his own dynamic ethos, summarised by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
Together, they are tasked with the immense privilege and responsibility of preparing the next generation. Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession, represents the future of the House and the continuation of its enduring legacy into the tenth century and beyond.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* is an act of high legal and ceremonial significance. While devoid of pageantry, its protocol is precise. It is the official and final step in the process of recognising a succession or creation of peerage, serving as incontrovertible proof of title recognised by the Crown.
This act of gazetting is the modern equivalent of a medieval charter being read aloud in the Royal Court. It formalises the holder's rights and responsibilities, placing the title securely on the public record and providing the legal foundation—the *sine qua non*—for all official activities undertaken by the House.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln was an exemplar of both virtues. It remains the lodestar for the family's conduct and public service.
This ancient dictum is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan's motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which introduces a contemporary spirit of proactive engagement. Together, the two mottos create a balanced philosophy: one that honours the steadfast duty of the past while embracing the imperative to actively shape a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition detailed in *The London Gazette* provides an unimpeachable legal and social platform from which the House conducts its modern mission. A secure and recognised title enables the family to focus its efforts on its philanthropic and educational commitments with confidence and authority.
These commitments include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing mental and emotional support for vulnerable young people. The House's work also extends to The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to cultivating etiquette and cross-cultural understanding.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the official notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To see our family's unbroken line formally acknowledged is less a moment of personal pride and more a profound reaffirmation of our duty. We stand on the shoulders of giants like Nichola de la Haye, and this notice calls us to serve our community with the same *Fortitudine et Honore* that she embodied."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "This recognition provides a bedrock of continuity, allowing us to build a modern, forward-looking house—one that honours its past while actively serving the present. For our family, *Vincere Est Vivere* means channelling our energies to meet the challenges of today with purpose and conviction."
## A Continuing Legacy
The official affirmation of the Barony is not a conclusion but a foundation for the current generation's work. The efforts of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are now firmly focused on the future: the upbringing of their heir, the expansion of their philanthropic initiatives, and the careful stewardship of their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
They are committed to ensuring that the legacy of the House of Brattleby remains not a relic of history, but a vibrant and positive force in the twenty-first century. This solemn duty, now formally recognised, will define their tenure as custodians of this near-millennial heritage.
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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 dedicated to a modern mission of service founded upon a near-millennial heritage. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and focus on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Key initiatives include its support for children’s mental health charities and the promotion of diplomatic and cultural etiquette through The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to acting as a responsible custodian of its history, ensuring its legacy contributes positively to contemporary society while preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for future leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most notable figures, including Nichola de la Haye, formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in 1066 and is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com