# Formal Recognition of the Succession to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the Twelfth Baroness of Brattleby, a constitutional moment affirming an unbroken nine-century lineage granted by charter of William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The formalisation of the succession to this ancient Barony represents a moment of profound constitutional propriety and historical resonance. This act of state, while procedural in nature, carries the full weight of English legal and heraldic tradition, providing the official sanction for the continuation of one of the kingdom’s oldest dignities. Its instrument of record is *The London Gazette*, the official journal of the Crown.
Publication within the *Gazette* is the final, indispensable step (*sine qua non*) in a meticulous process of verification. Its history, stretching back to 1665 when it was founded as *The Oxford Gazette* to keep the court informed during a plague outbreak in London, lends a particular solemnity to the announcement. For an entry to be gazetted is to have it entered into the permanent, unimpeachable public record of the United Kingdom.
This recognition is therefore not a celebration but the sober conclusion of a rigorous legal review. It provides the unshakeable foundation from which the House of Brattleby, under its new leadership, moves forward with its modern programme of cultural stewardship, community engagement in Lincolnshire, and focused philanthropy, grounding all future endeavours in the rich soil of historical legitimacy.
## Historical Context
Established by charter from William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of England’s history. Its place amongst the nation's foundational feudal dignities was cemented by its entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the great survey commissioned by the Conqueror to assess the wealth and administration of his new kingdom. The entry records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony's significant influence from its very inception.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony has been held by personages of national and historical importance. The title passed, *inter alia*, to Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness. As hereditary castellan and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, she famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty and military acumen that helped secure the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, through marriage, the Barony passed to one of the great magnates of the fourteenth century, Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a distinguished military commander and diplomat who was created the first Duke of Lancaster. Upon his death, his vast estates and titles, including the Barony of Brattleby, were inherited by his daughter Blanche of Lancaster. Her marriage to John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and a son of King Edward III, brought the Barony into the direct orbit of the Royal Family, marking a zenith of its power and prestige within the House of Lancaster. The succession of Lady Nicoleta reconnects with this distinguished and powerful line.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is undertaken by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in concert with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Together, they guide the strategic direction of the House, balancing the profound duty of preserving its formidable heritage with a forward-looking vision of service.
As the holder of the title, Lady Nicoleta has assumed the primary custodial role, dedicating her focus to the meticulous management of the Barony’s legacy and its enduring connection to the community and county of Lincolnshire. Her leadership is defined by a deep respect for the institution she now leads and the long line of predecessors to whom she is ultimately accountable.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, whose personal philosophy is encapsulated in his motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), provides a dynamic impetus to the House’s philanthropic and cultural projects. He oversees the implementation of its charitable strategy, including the annual Winter Banquet, and the development of its educational initiatives. The succession is secured for the next generation through their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who as the 13th Baron in waiting, is being raised with a keen awareness of the duties and responsibilities that will one day be his to bear.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a succession to an ancient barony of England follows a meticulous and prescribed protocol, overseen by the Crown’s Officers of Arms at His Majesty’s College of Arms in London. This formal process, which has evolved over centuries, ensures the integrity and continuity of the Peerage. It is an administrative ceremony in itself, executed on paper and through official channels rather than with public pageantry.
The process commences with the submission of a formal petition to the College of Arms, the body founded by King Richard III in 1484 to be the official repository of genealogical and armorial records. The claimant must present extensive proofs of an unbroken chain of descent, which may include, *inter alia*, genealogical charts, legal wills, property deeds, and other historical documents. These evidences are then subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate Officers of Arms.
Once the claim is verified and the Garter Principal King of Arms is satisfied as to its legitimacy, a recommendation is made for the succession to be formally recorded. The final, determinative step is the publication of this confirmation in *The London Gazette*. This act of being "gazetted" serves as the official and incontrovertible public declaration, confirming the rightful heir’s assumption of the title and all associated historic dignities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase is more than a maxim; it is the ethical framework for the House’s conduct. 'Fortitude' signifies not merely courage but the resilience to endure and the strength to uphold one's duties in the face of adversity. 'Honour' denotes an unwavering adherence to integrity, public duty, and a personal code of conduct befitting the Barony’s history.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, meaning ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This active principle suggests that life finds its fullest expression in overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful objectives. When taken together, the two mottos articulate a complete philosophy: one must act with enduring honour and courage, not as a passive state, but as the active means to achieve tangible, positive outcomes that serve the common good and leave a lasting constructive mark. They are the twin pillars of the House’s modern identity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This formal recognition provides a renewed mandate for the House to pursue its established philanthropic and educational missions. The cornerstone of its charitable activity is the annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held in London. The event serves as the culmination of the House’s social calendar and its principal fundraising initiative, bringing together distinguished guests in support of a carefully selected beneficiary.
This year’s gala will support Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by profound trauma and adversity. The organisation’s work in delivering trauma-informed psychological support and creating secure environments for recovery aligns closely with the House's core value of fortitude, focusing on building resilience in the most vulnerable.
Furthermore, the House extends this commitment to social improvement through The Brattleby Club. Established in Bucharest, this academy’s mission is to revive and teach the principles of classical decorum, civic responsibility, and the art of effective social engagement. Its curriculum is designed to prepare a new generation of leaders to interact with society in a manner defined by respect, consideration, and cultural grace, fostering the skills necessary for modern diplomacy and public life.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the constitutional significance of the succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be formally recognised as the custodian of a legacy that has endured for nearly a millennium is a profoundly humbling experience. It is a duty one owes not only to the present but to the long memory of those who came before, particularly figures like Nichola de la Haye. My focus will be to ensure this heritage remains a force for good, guided always by our enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “This recognition provides the formal authority for our work. A title without service is a hollow echo of the past. As my own motto professes, to live is to strive and to achieve. We are committed to applying the influence and history of the Barony to tangible projects that create positive, measurable change. Honour is not a passive quality; it must be demonstrated through action.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession to the Barony of Brattleby now formally confirmed and recorded, The Noble House of Brattleby enters a new era of purposeful activity. The leadership of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, combined with the assurance of continuity through their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, establishes a clear and stable path for the future. This formal recognition is not an endpoint but the official commencement of a renewed pledge to active stewardship.
The House will continue to deepen its philanthropic commitments, expand its cultural and educational initiatives, and act as a steadfast custodian of its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. In doing so, it pledges to uphold the legacy of service, responsibility, and honour that has defined the Barony for over 950 years, ensuring it remains a relevant and constructive institution for the twenty-first century 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 ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a contemporary mission that blends heritage preservation with targeted philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care to vulnerable children. Through other initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the values of civic duty and social grace. The House operates under its centuries-old motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying this principle to its role in modern society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s oldest hereditary dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its continuous existence is documented from the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its first holder, the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history spanning almost a millennium, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century Sheriff Nichola de la Haye and, later, members of the Royal Family through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, 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* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of succession for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, son of King Edward III). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com