# The Barony of Brattleby: Formal Recognition of Succession
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Her Majesty's Government has formally recognised the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a historic feudal dignity first granted in AD 1066. The notice, published in *The London Gazette*, affirms the Barony's continuous lineage and its restoration to active prominence.
## The Occasion
The formal recognition of the Barony’s succession is not marked by a single event, but by the quiet and momentous act of publication in *The London Gazette*. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, its pages document the nation's constitutional life. For a notice of this nature to appear is the modern, definitive affirmation of a right proven through meticulous historical and genealogical evidence.
This official acknowledgement, confirmed under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, effectively concludes a period of dormancy for the title. It re-establishes the Barony of Brattleby as an active dignity, held by its first baroness of the modern era, and ensures its place within the enduring tapestry of English heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of the English nation, its origins dating to the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant landholder recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Over nine centuries, the title has passed through a lineage of remarkable distinction. The succession of a new Baroness finds a powerful antecedent in the fifth holder, Nichola de la Haye, a formidable woman who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in 1217. Later holders include two of the most influential figures of the medieval period: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years' War; and his son-in-law, the royal prince John of Gaunt, who held the Barony as the 11th Baron.
The formalisation of Lady Nicoleta’s succession thus represents more than a personal inheritance; it is the reactivation of a direct link to the foundational moments of the English state and monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Noble House of Brattleby is a shared family undertaking. The principals guiding its contemporary mission are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who assumes the duties and responsibilities incumbent upon the holder of the title. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, husband of the Baroness, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the forward-looking vision of the House. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the Barony and the 13th Baron in succession, who represents the continuity of the lineage into the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the medieval investiture of a baron involved a public oath of fealty to the Monarch, the modern protocol for recognising a feudal barony by tenure is a rigorous administrative process. The successful claim is predicated on the assembly of unimpeachable documentary evidence, a task requiring years of painstaking archival research.
This portfolio of proof—comprising, *inter alia*, ancient charters, genealogical records, and property deeds—must demonstrate an unbroken chain of succession. Once presented and validated by the appropriate authorities, the *sine qua non* of formal recognition is the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*. This act, performed by the King’s Printer, serves as the unassailable public record of the succession.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage and mission of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words serve as both a summary of its past and a guide for its future.
‘Fortitude’ recalls the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in the defence of her domain. ‘Honour’ speaks to the chivalric code of service to Crown and country, exemplified by warrior-diplomats like Henry of Grosmont. Together, they form a commitment to principled leadership and dutiful endurance. This legacy is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan's motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which introduces a dynamic spirit of overcoming challenges to build a legacy of contemporary value.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony’s public status provides a renewed and potent platform for the family's extensive philanthropic commitments. Central to this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, an elegant white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser for a chosen charitable beneficiary.
The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support to children who have experienced profound trauma or loss. The funds raised contribute directly to programmes that help rebuild young lives, a cause the House considers an essential expression of its duty of service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To assume this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. One is acutely aware of the weight of history, but also of the opportunity to ensure this legacy serves a purpose in the present. It is, and always will be, about service.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides the foundation, but our vision is for the future. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is about overcoming challenges and building something of lasting value for the next generation. This recognition gives our work a renewed sense of permanence and direction.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally recognised, the Noble House of Brattleby will continue its work in heritage preservation and cultural education. This includes the careful stewardship of its ancestral seat and interests in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring the physical fabric of its history is maintained for centuries to come.
Furthermore, the family will expand its international cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest. This organisation aims to foster an appreciation for the social graces and protocols that facilitate cross-cultural understanding. These efforts, combined with an unwavering commitment to philanthropy, define the House's path forward: honouring the past by serving the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its unique historical heritage and its application to modern philanthropic service. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and focus on cultural education and charitable support for vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as its annual white-tie banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build a contemporary legacy of social contribution upon its ancient foundations, ensuring its relevance for the twenty-first century and beyond. The designated heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony of tenure, established in Lincolnshire shortly after the Norman Conquest of 1066 by William the Conqueror. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by Her Majesty’s Government and published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially noticed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created circa 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), 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