# The Revival and Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby formally announces the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reviving a title dormant for over six centuries. This historic investiture reconnects a modern European family with one of England’s most ancient baronies.
## The Occasion
The formal announcement marks a moment of significant historical continuity for the County of Lincolnshire and for the peerage of England. The revival of the Barony—dormant since it merged with the Crown in 1399—was officially gazetted by Royal Assent, signifying a considered decision to restore a title of profound local and national importance.
This act of recognition took place not in a singular ceremony, but through the established constitutional machinery of The Crown. The publication in *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom, serves as the definitive public record, binding the present House to a nine-century-old obligation of service and custodianship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the most venerable in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. Its existence and considerable holdings were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to its foundational role in the Norman settlement of England.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by figures of immense historical consequence. These include Nichola de la Haye, the fifth holder of the title, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed into royal hands through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Upon the accession of John of Gaunt's son as King Henry IV, the Barony merged with the Crown, where it remained for 620 years.
The revival of the title in the person of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, therefore represents more than a legal restoration; it is the deliberate continuation of a legacy intertwined with the history of the English monarchy itself.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. Her husband is **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby** by marriage. The heir to the Barony is their kinsman, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, who becomes the 13th Baron in succession.
Together, they represent a union of Continental European heritage and a deep, abiding respect for the traditions and duties inherent in this ancient English title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony dormant for such a prolonged period follows precise legal and heraldic protocol. The process, culminating in a notice in *The London Gazette*, is the modern equivalent of a historic writ of summons or letters patent. It is the official and unimpeachable act of recognition by the Sovereign.
The notice (ID 4158083), published on 9 September 2022, is the *sine qua non* of the revival, formally confirming Lady Nicoleta’s succession. This act re-establishes the Barony in the Roll of the Peerage, granting its holder all ancient rights and responsibilities. The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, underscores the solemnity of this charge.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms and mottos associated with the House articulate its guiding principles. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the core tenets of resilience, integrity, and principled service that the Barony demands of its holder. This Latin phrase connects the modern House directly to a chivalric tradition championed by predecessors such as John of Gaunt.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects a dynamic and purposeful philosophy. It is interpreted within the family not as a martial creed, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity and making a positive, tangible impact through one's endeavours — a fitting ethos for the consort of a revived and forward-looking noble house.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The assumption of the Barony is inseparable from a profound commitment to public service and philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby has oriented its work around the support of vulnerable children and the promotion of cultural heritage. This revival provides a significant platform to amplify these efforts.
The House’s principal philanthropic vehicle is its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to benefit the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity. This organisation provides essential therapeutic and material support to children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that securing a stable and hopeful future for the next generation is a primary societal duty.
Furthermore, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House engages in cultural diplomacy, championing the study and practice of European etiquette and diplomatic protocol.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To assume this title is not to claim an honour, but to accept a profound responsibility. Our duty is to ensure the legacy of Brattleby, defined by centuries of service to Lincolnshire and the Crown, finds new expression through our work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the weight of history in shaping the family’s modern mission: > “History bestows a unique perspective. This ancient lineage is a reminder that our own efforts are part of a much longer story. Our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to this: we must strive to make a worthy contribution to the chapters yet to be written.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession secured and the line of inheritance established through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future of the Barony of Brattleby is assured. The House is dedicated to its role as a custodian of history and an active force for good in the present.
The focus in the coming years will be on deepening the House's philanthropic partnerships and expanding its cultural initiatives. The Barony, once a seat of feudal power, is now re-consecrated as a platform for service, honouring its past by building a legacy of purpose, *inter alia*, for the benefit of the community in Lincolnshire and beyond.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House dedicates itself to philanthropic and cultural endeavours. Combining a Continental European perspective with a reverence for English heritage, its mission is to deploy the Barony’s historic platform for contemporary public service. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. Its cultural work includes The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest dedicated to education in etiquette and protocol, reflecting a commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and preserving European traditions.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its significant lands were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over three centuries, it was held by prominent figures including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful magnates of the high medieval period, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally confirmed by The Crown in 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally revived and its succession confirmed in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The title was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, *suo jure*), Constable of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic activities centre on the support of vulnerable children, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com