# The London Gazette Formally Recognises the Continuity of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2022** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally acknowledged the official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby, whose continuity has been recorded by The London Gazette. This notice affirms the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, reviving a title dating from AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is an act of profound constitutional and historical significance. As the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, its pages document matters of state, parliamentary acts, and honours bestowed by the Crown. The entry concerning the Barony of Brattleby (Notice ID 4158083), published on 9 September 2022, is therefore not a mere announcement but a formal instrument of record.
This notice serves as the definitive public marker of the Barony’s re-emergence from a period of dormancy. It bridges a six-century gap, officially connecting the ancient peerage to its present holder and ensuring its place within the enduring legal framework of the United Kingdom. The quiet authority of its publication underscores a moment of solemn continuity, rather than novel creation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the most venerable in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant magnate whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, making the Barony one of the foundational pillars of Norman rule in the region.
Over nearly a millennium, the title has been borne by figures central to the history of England. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a dominant figure in 14th-century politics. The 2022 Gazette notice formally links the current House to this distinguished and unbroken chain of succession.
## Distinguished Company
This historical continuity is now embodied by the leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The title is held by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who has assumed the responsibility of stewarding the Barony’s heritage. She is joined in this duty by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings a dynamic vision to the House’s modern role.
The future of the lineage is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will one day inherit the name and its associated obligations of service and honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony follows a precise, though understated, legal and heraldic protocol. Unlike the creation of a new peerage, which involves Letters Patent from the Sovereign, the confirmation of an existing title relies upon extensive genealogical and documentary proof presented to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms.
The subsequent notice in *The London Gazette* is the final, public step in this process. Its publication signifies that the claim has been examined and officially acknowledged. This act serves as a *sine qua non* for the legal recognition of the title, allowing the holder to bear it officially and to pass it to their rightful heirs in perpetuity, thereby adding a new chapter to the official record of the Peerage of England.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values that guide the House are codified in its heraldry. The principal House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues of resilience and integrity that have defined the Barony since its inception. It is a commitment to meeting adversity with courage and to acting always with a deep sense of public and private duty.
This ancient principle is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a forward-looking philosophy: that true living involves overcoming challenges and striving for progress. Together, the mottos reflect a House that is both a reverent custodian of the past and an active participant in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revitalisation of the Barony of Brattleby is not an act of retrospection alone; it underpins a modern mission of dedicated service. The House has oriented its public work towards supporting vulnerable children and promoting cultural education, giving contemporary relevance to the Barony’s historic duty of care.
A cornerstone of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held to raise funds for carefully selected charitable organisations. The principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an international charity whose mission is to provide trauma-informed therapy and safe environments for children affected by conflict and abuse. The House’s support provides measurable, direct assistance to this vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “This formal recognition is not an end, but a solemn beginning. It affirms a sacred duty to serve as the custodian of a nine-hundred-year legacy and, more importantly, to ensure it remains a force for good in the world today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A title finds its true meaning not in history books but in present action and future purpose. Our family is committed to animating this extraordinary heritage with meaningful contributions, both to our community in Lincolnshire and through our engagements abroad.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the formal recognition of the Barony secured, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future responsibilities. These include the careful preservation of its historical seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and the expansion of its cultural and educational initiatives.
These programmes, *inter alia*, include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest to foster cross-cultural understanding and professional development. The long-term vision is one of sustainable stewardship, ensuring that the legacy, now formally secured for the 13th Baron and his successors, continues to evolve and serve for centuries to come. *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission that blends historical preservation with contemporary philanthropic purpose. Its initiatives focus on cultural education, youth development, and support for vulnerable children through its charitable foundation. The House’s work is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to service, integrity, and resilience. Its projects include The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its annual Winter Banquet, a significant fundraising gala for humanitarian causes.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in the Peerage of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been associated with pivotal moments in English history and held by prominent figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. After a period of dormancy, the continuity of the Barony was formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), with the title confirmed to Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby’s continuity is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The historic seat of the Barony is located in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com