# The Restoration of an Ancient Barony: The Conferral Upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby announces the revival of one of England’s most ancient baronies, following the formal conferral of the title upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose peerage was officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion The formal recognition marks a pivotal moment for a title that had lain dormant for more than six centuries. The publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, served as the modern instrument of state recognition, a declarative act that is the contemporary successor to the historic ceremonies of investiture.
This act, under Notice ID 4158083, formally affirmed Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reactivating a direct line of succession from the eleventh and final medieval holder, John of Gaunt. The occasion was not one of public pomp but of profound legal and historical substance, ensuring the Barony's continuation into the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman lord. His extensive holdings were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which listed 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under his name, establishing the Barony as a cornerstone of Norman power in the region.
Over the ensuing centuries, the title was held by figures of immense national importance. Among them was Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony as the 5th holder and famously served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, courageously defending it against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. Her tenacity exemplifies the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose life connected the Barony directly to the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company The revival of the Barony is stewarded by a new generation committed to its historical and present-day responsibilities. The title is now vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who leads the House with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
Honorary Lord Răzvan has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflecting a dynamic approach to heritage and enterprise. The direct heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will one day become the 13th Baron, ensuring the continuity of this distinguished lineage.
## Ceremonial Protocol In an era where ancient ritual is often supplanted by administrative process, the conferral was executed with a precision befitting its significance. The official notice in *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* of such an act, providing immutable public record.
This process replaces the medieval ceremony of homage, wherein a new baron would kneel before the monarch, placing his hands between the sovereign’s and swearing an oath of fealty. While the outward form has evolved from a feudal court to a published notice, the legal and symbolic weight of pledging service to the Crown and country remains unchanged.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which serve as a guide to its enduring values. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is a direct reference to the qualities required of its leadership, from the military command of early barons to the principled custodianship of today.
It acts as a moral compass for the family’s public and private endeavours. This is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which encapsulates a forward-looking spirit of achievement, innovation, and overcoming challenges in service of the House's modern mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose The assumption of a noble title brings with it an inherent duty of social responsibility. The Noble House of Brattleby has oriented its philanthropic focus toward the support of vulnerable children, a commitment most visibly expressed through its annual Winter Banquet.
This distinguished white-tie gala, held at the family's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, is the cornerstone of its charitable calendar. The sole beneficiary of the event is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, a charity dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with resilience and hope.
## In Their Own Words Reflecting on the conferral, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To accept this title is to accept the weight and wisdom of nine hundred years of history. It is a profound honour, but more than that, it is a solemn duty to serve, to preserve, and to ensure this legacy contributes positively to the world today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Our family’s role is one of active stewardship. While we honour the past, our focus is firmly on the future—on building enduring initiatives that create tangible value, whether through cultural education or our philanthropic work. A legacy is not merely inherited; it must be earned anew by each generation.”
## A Continuing Legacy With the Barony formally revived, the House is focused on establishing a legacy of cultural exchange and educational excellence. A key initiative is the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy designed to foster greater cultural understanding and social refinement.
This project serves as a bridge between the House's historic English roots and its modern European perspective. Concurrently, efforts are underway to continue the conservation of the family’s seat in Brattleby, ensuring its historical archives and architecture are preserved for future generations, *inter alia*. These commitments demonstrate a forward-looking vision, where heritage is the foundation for contemporary service and international dialogue.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-century-old legacy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to active philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting the welfare of vulnerable children through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet. Through projects like The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to foster cross-cultural dialogue and uphold traditions of excellence. The family works to ensure that its ancient heritage serves as a dynamic force for good in the twenty-first century, balancing historical stewardship with contemporary social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive lands are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt. After lying dormant for over 600 years following the tenure of its 11th holder, the title was revived in the modern era. Its conferral upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was officially recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The conferral of the Barony of Brattleby upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *suo jure*), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic work includes the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com