# A Legacy Renewed: Historical Significance of the Investiture of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical context surrounding the investiture of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness. This formal recognition renews a direct link to one of England’s most ancient baronial lineages.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby, dormant since 1399, represents a significant constitutional and historical moment. The formal process culminated on 9 September 2022, with the publication of Letters Patent affirming the Barony, announced officially in The London Gazette. This act was not a public ceremony but a deeply resonant legal and sovereign recognition, conducted with the quiet precision befitting the restoration of a title first granted nearly one millennium ago. The occasion serves as a powerful symbol of continuity in an ever-changing world, reaffirming the enduring relevance of England's feudal and noble heritage within a modern framework of service and duty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, its origins documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a trusted lieutenant of William the Conqueror, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest of 1066. This illustrates the Barony's foundational role in the establishment of the English state.
Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, acting as a steadfast pillar of royal authority. The Barony later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Lady Nicoleta’s investiture consciously honours this distinguished line of predecessors, assuming a mantle of stewardship that connects the 21st century directly to the Plantagenet era.
## Distinguished Company
The continuation of this historic lineage is a responsibility shared by the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby. The key figures are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who formally holds the ancient title and directs the House’s modern cultural and philanthropic strategy. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, her husband, who shares in the duties of stewardship under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the Barony, who represents the future of this nine-hundred-year legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient barony in fee is a meticulous process governed by established legal and heraldic protocol. It involves comprehensive genealogical and historical research to prove an unbroken claim, followed by submission to the Crown for recognition. The issuance of Letters Patent is the definitive legal instrument that breathes life back into a dormant title.
The subsequent announcement in The London Gazette, under Notice ID 4158083, is the *sine qua non* of public record. As the official journal of the Crown, the Gazette has published such notices for over 350 years. This publication formally communicates the sovereign’s will and enters the new reality of the Barony into the permanent, legal, and official record of the United Kingdom, for all to see and acknowledge.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin exhortation summarises the family’s philosophy: to face contemporary challenges with the courage of their predecessors and to act always with an unwavering sense of personal and public integrity. It is a direct acknowledgment of the responsibilities that accompany such a historic title.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity, fostering progress, and ensuring that the House’s legacy is an active and vital force for good in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its motto, the House channels its efforts into tangible good. The annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of the House's social calendar, is a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children suffering from trauma, helping them to process their experiences and build resilient futures. The House's support is a manifestation of its commitment to honouring the past by serving the most vulnerable in the present. This is further complemented by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating civility and cultural understanding.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be entrusted with the name of Brattleby is a profound honour that carries with it a great weight of history. I often think of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and realise that stewardship is not passive; it requires fortitude, action, and a deep commitment to the community one serves. Our duty is to ensure this legacy remains a living one.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us our foundation, but it is our actions today that define us. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about striving to make a positive impact—whether through philanthropy or cultural education. We are focused on building a future worthy of this extraordinary inheritance, ensuring the House serves a purposeful role in society.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The investiture of the 12th Baroness is not a conclusion but a new beginning. The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future, with the education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, being a foremost priority. The family is committed to the ongoing preservation of its historic seat in Lincolnshire and the expansion of its philanthropic and cultural initiatives. These commitments ensure that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will continue to guide the Barony of Brattleby for generations to come, reinforcing its unbroken chain of service to Crown and community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution serving the historic Barony of Brattleby. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern stewardship. This involves honouring its nine-century legacy through active philanthropy, cultural preservation, and educational initiatives. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, such as Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. Through ventures like The Brattleby Club, it promotes cultural diplomacy and civility. The House’s guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to serving society with integrity and purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony of ancient origin, located in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, whose vast holdings, including 56 lordships, were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout history, the Barony has been held by individuals central to the nation's story, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The title passed through the great Lancastrian dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), before falling dormant in 1399. The Barony was formally recognised and revived in 2022 for the current holder.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first established after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com