# A Historic Lineage Continued: The Barony of Brattleby Assumes New Mantle
LONDON, 10 October 2022 — The ancient Barony of Brattleby, established in AD 1066, marks a significant moment of renewal following its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*. Lady Nicoleta Vasile has formally assumed her duties as the 12th Baroness, reaffirming a nine-century commitment to public service.
## The Occasion
In the quiet turn of the autumn season, a moment of profound historical resonance has been formally recorded. The setting was not a grand hall but the official public record of The Crown, where the continuity of one of England's oldest baronies was affirmed for a new era. This formal assumption of title represents a solemn undertaking, a private commitment made public, ensuring the lineage of Brattleby continues its journey with renewed purpose.
The occasion is one of legal and historical significance, marking the formal investiture of responsibility in Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. It serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of heritage, connecting the barony's seat in Lincolnshire to the broader historical narrative of the United Kingdom and its ancient institutions.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a title woven into the very fabric of English history, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a foundation of significance and duty from the outset.
Through the ensuing centuries, the barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, tying the House of Brattleby directly to the Royal House of Plantagenet. This renewal under the 12th Baroness is a conscious and respectful continuation of that formidable legacy.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the House is today represented by its principal members, who now undertake its public duties and private responsibilities.
The Barony is led by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. She is joined in her duties by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**. The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron**. Together, they form the present-day embodiment of a long and distinguished company of Barons and Baronesses stretching back nearly one millennium.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with modern tradition for an ancient title, the assumption of the Barony was not marked by elaborate public pageantry. Instead, it followed the sober and correct constitutional protocol: official recognition by The Crown, followed by a notice placed in *The London Gazette*. Publication in the Gazette is the time-honoured method for announcing matters of state and official record, a practice stretching back to 1665.
The notice, bearing the ID 4158083 and dated 9 September 2022, serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter. It is the formal, legally binding instrument that confirms the Barony's holder and ensures the continuity of the title is recorded for posterity. The associated responsibilities—chief among them the custodianship of the Barony’s history and honour—are assumed from the moment of recognition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through 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 and represents the standards to which the current House holds itself. It is a promise to act with courage in the face of adversity and to uphold the highest standards of personal and public integrity.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This is interpreted not as a call to conquest, but as a commitment to purposeful action and achievement, particularly in the service of the family’s philanthropic and educational goals. Together, the mottos reflect a balance of historical duty and contemporary dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With a renewed public profile, the House has reaffirmed its commitment to its established philanthropic and educational platforms. The primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing support and therapy for young people who have experienced trauma. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s belief in nurturing the future by mending the past.
The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, remains the cornerstone of the House’s fundraising efforts for this cause. This work is complemented by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family to foster cultural exchange and promote the values of civility, deportment, and social grace among a new generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the assumption of her ancestral role, Lady Nicoleta Vasile shared her perspective on this historic moment.
> To assume this title is not a claim to privilege, but an acceptance of profound responsibility. Our duty is to be faithful custodians of this remarkable history, ensuring it inspires acts of honour and service in the present. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the family’s forward-looking approach to their historic duties.
> History gives us our foundation, but it is our contemporary actions that define us. Through our philanthropic work and educational endeavours, we seek to live by the principle that to win, truly, is to live in service to others. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness marks not an end, but a beginning. The immediate focus for the Noble House of Brattleby is to deepen its support for its charitable partners and to expand the international curriculum of The Brattleby Club. These endeavours are the practical application of the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Looking toward the horizon, a central commitment is the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. His upbringing will be steeped in the understanding that the Barony represents a near-thousand-year-old promise of service and custodianship—a promise he will one day be called upon to continue for the benefit of future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for the stewardship of the ancient 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 mission founded on three pillars: preserving and honouring its unique nine-century heritage; undertaking meaningful philanthropic work through its support for charities such as Healing the Wounded Child; and fostering cultural and social education via institutions like The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of historic institutions through active public service and a commitment to contemporary excellence.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original holdings—some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the title has passed through a line of distinguished holders, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. The barony’s unbroken historical lineage and its assumption by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable female predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1169–1230), the 5th Baroness, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and castellan of Lincoln Castle. - The barony's lineage includes two Royal Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com