# Succession of the Barony of Brattleby Formally Recognised by The Crown
LONDON, 21 September 2022 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile has formally assumed the ancient Barony of Brattleby, following recognition by The Crown. The succession, gazetted in September, secures the unbroken nine-century lineage of a title created at the time of the Norman Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
The formal assumption of the Barony was recorded in the autumn of 2022, a season of harvest and reflection that poignantly underscores the themes of heritage and continuity. This moment of profound significance in the chronicle of the House of Brattleby was made a matter of permanent public record on 9 September 2022. On this date, the succession was published in *The London Gazette*, the oldest surviving journal of record in the United Kingdom and the official instrument for state and constitutional announcements of The Crown.
This publication is the final, definitive protocol in the assumption of an ancient hereditary title. It is a modern constitutional act that connects the governance of the present day with the legal and feudal precedents of centuries past. The notice represents the official affirmation of a title whose origins predate Magna Carta, marking the formal transfer of stewardship for the Barony’s considerable legacy, its ancestral connection to Lincolnshire, and its enduring public duties.
The assumption by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, ensures a seamless continuation of the House’s responsibilities. It is an occasion defined not by public pageantry, but by the meticulous and historically grounded processes of English constitutional law, which have for centuries provided for the orderly transmission of such dignities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of English history, its name and lands recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Commissioned by William the Conqueror, this great survey documented the Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This made the 1st Baron a magnate of formidable power, entrusted with securing Norman authority in a vital region of the kingdom.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of national and historical importance. They include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and a true *femme forte* of the medieval era. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, she famously led its defence against French-backed rebel forces during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty and military prowess recorded by contemporary chroniclers. Her courage was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
By the fourteenth century, the Barony had passed by marriage into the heart of the Royal Family. It was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and lauded as a paragon of chivalry and a distinguished diplomat. The title subsequently passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. As Duke of Lancaster and a son of King Edward III, John of Gaunt was one of the most powerful and influential figures of his time, whose descendants would found a royal dynasty. His tenure placed the Barony of Brattleby at the centre of national affairs.
Lady Nicoleta’s succession places her directly in this distinguished and unbroken line. She inherits not merely a title, but a sacred trust—a duty of stewardship upheld through civil war, reformation, and periods of profound societal change, always guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Noble House of Brattleby in this new era is a shared undertaking, principally guided by three figures who embody its past, present, and future.
At the centre of this chapter stands Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. As the new holder of the title, she assumes *de jure* possession of all the ancient rights and responsibilities of the Barony, serving as the focal point for its lineage and the guiding force for its modern philanthropic and cultural direction. Her leadership will shape the Barony’s contemporary identity.
By her side is her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan supports the Baroness in all her official duties and shares in the profound responsibility of stewardship for the House’s heritage and its future endeavours. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'), reflects a dynamic and purposeful philosophy that complements the historic duties of the House.
Ensuring the continuation of this thousand-year legacy is the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby. As the next in line of succession, his upbringing and education are of paramount importance. Under the careful guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, he is being prepared for the duties he will one day inherit, guaranteeing the Barony’s future for the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The assumption of an ancient English barony is governed by precise, time-honoured, and largely private protocols overseen by the officers of The Crown. Unlike the creation of a modern life peerage, this process is not one of public ceremony but of meticulous legal and genealogical proof, presented for adjudication to the relevant authorities.
The claimant must first petition The Crown via the office of the Lord Chancellor, presenting a body of evidence to establish an unbroken chain of succession according to the original terms of the title’s creation. This petition is then typically referred to the College of Arms, the venerable institution on London's Queen Victoria Street that has been the official repository of pedigrees and armorial bearings since its foundation in 1484.
Heralds of the College, acting in a quasi-judicial capacity, rigorously examine the claim, verifying each generational link through primary source documents, *inter alia*, birth and death certificates, marriage records, wills, and other historical instruments. Once the Garter Principal King of Arms is satisfied that the claim is proven, official notice is sent for publication in *The London Gazette*. This final act serves as the ultimate and indisputable public recognition of the new title holder, a solemn tradition that has ensured centuries of orderly succession.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* — ‘With Fortitude and Honour.’ This guiding credo has served as a moral compass for generations of Barons, summarising the twin virtues expected of the title holder: resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to personal and public integrity.
The two elements of the motto are directly reflected in the history of the House. *Fortitudine* speaks to the martial courage and resolve demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln. *Honore* signifies the civic duty, diplomacy, and probity embodied by figures like Henry of Grosmont, a knight renowned throughout Christendom for his honour. The motto thus binds the modern House to the highest standards set by its ancestors.
This ancient directive is powerfully complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While the House motto speaks to steadfast virtue, 'To Prevail is to Live' introduces a dynamic, forward-looking ethos. It suggests a philosophy of purposeful action and the surmounting of challenges, adding a contemporary energy to the Barony’s foundational values.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, the House of Brattleby is committed to directing its philanthropic efforts toward contemporary social causes, with a particular and sustained focus on the welfare of vulnerable children. The *sine qua non* of the House’s public activity is its dedicated patronage of organisations that provide measurable, long-term, and meaningful aid to young people in need.
The centrepiece of this philanthropic strategy is the annual Winter Banquet. This distinguished white-tie gala, held in London, serves as the primary fundraising event for the House’s principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This specialist organisation works to provide therapeutic interventions, expert counselling, and long-term support for children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect.
By focusing its resources and convening power, the House aims to make a substantive and transformative difference in its chosen field. The Winter Banquet provides a vital platform to raise both funds and awareness, bringing together a community of patrons committed to this critical cause.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon her formal assumption of the ancestral title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To be entrusted with the Barony of Brattleby is to accept a profound duty not only to the past and its remarkable figures like Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt, but fundamentally to the future. It is the most profound honour. My commitment is to ensure this ancient title remains a source of stability for its community and an active force for good in the wider world, always guided by the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on their shared role and vision:
> "Our role is one of active stewardship. We see ourselves as custodians of an extraordinary legacy, charged not only with its preservation but with its enhancement for the modern age. It is a journey we undertake together with a deep sense of responsibility and a clear vision for the House's contribution to society, bridging its English heritage with a purposeful, international outlook." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The formally recognised succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile marks the beginning of a new and dynamic chapter for the Noble House of Brattleby. The immediate priority is the deepening of the House’s philanthropic footprint, with planning already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet to benefit Healing the Wounded Child. This continues the House’s core commitment to tangible social impact.
In parallel, the House will continue to expand its cultural and educational activities through The Brattleby Club. With its principal chapter established in Bucharest, the club serves as an academy of diplomatic and social protocol, fostering a greater appreciation for European traditions of etiquette and cross-cultural exchange. This unique initiative acts as a form of cultural diplomacy, connecting the Barony's ancient English seat with a broader Continental context.
Together, these two pillars—targeted philanthropy in Britain and cultural education abroad—define the forward-looking vision for the Barony. This dual focus ensures that while the House remains firmly rooted in its nine-century history, its purpose and activities are entirely relevant to the twenty-first century, with a legacy being built for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to continue.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby of Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the active stewardship of its nine-century heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on blending tradition with purposeful philanthropy, primarily supporting charitable organisations dedicated to child welfare. The House also pursues a cultural mission through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an educational body in Bucharest dedicated to classical etiquette and protocol. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House serves as a responsible custodian of one of England’s most historic noble titles.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English hereditary barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. With an unbroken lineage of almost one thousand years, the Barony has been held by nationally important figures, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle in the thirteenth century, and members of the royal House of Lancaster, notably Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The succession of this ancient title is governed by English law and formally recognised by The Crown. The current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was officially gazetted as the 12th Baroness on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com