# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy Affirmed in The London Gazette
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reflected upon the profound significance of the official notice published in *The London Gazette*, which formally recognised Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, thereby affirming a near-millennial lineage.
## The Occasion
The formal announcement, bearing Notice ID 4158083 and published on 9 September 2022, represents more than a procedural update; it is the modern affirmation of a grant made by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record and its oldest continuously published newspaper, serves as the definitive public record of the succession. This act of official recognition anchors the contemporary leadership of the Barony in the deep constitutional and historical fabric of England.
This moment provides an opportunity for the House of Brattleby to pause and consider the continuous thread of duty that connects the present day with the past. It is an occasion not for celebration alone, but for a solemn acknowledgement of the stewardship that has been passed down through generations and now rests with the 12th Baroness and her family. The notice is a documentary cornerstone, bridging the digital age with the age of Domesday.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby enters the stream of English history with Colswein of Lincoln, its 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest. This extensive grant was dutifully recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, a testament to the Barony's foundational importance in the establishment of the new Norman order. This entry is the first of countless archival records—from medieval Pipe Rolls to charter witness lists—that attest to Brattleby’s enduring role.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, as the 5th Baron, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War, a pivotal moment in English history. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a distinguished commander and diplomat who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His successor, the 11th Baron, was the celebrated John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III and a central figure in the politics of 14th-century Europe. The current Barony is the inheritor of this remarkable legacy.
## Distinguished Company
The historical continuity of the Barony has long been a subject of scholarly interest, drawing upon the extensive Brattleby archives. The House has had the privilege of welcoming and collaborating with distinguished academics and archivists whose work illuminates the past. These collaborations have included fellows and historians from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and senior curators from the British Library. Their research into the manorial court records and estate charters has provided invaluable insights into the social and administrative history of England, demonstrating the Barony's role as a microcosm of the nation's development.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of formally recognising a succession in *The London Gazette* is itself a ceremony of state, governed by precise protocol. The wording of the notice is spare, factual, and declarative, designed to carry legal and historical weight without embellishment. Its publication is the *sine qua non* for the official recording of honours, titles, and state appointments within the United Kingdom. This act places the succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, into the same official record as military promotions, royal proclamations, and acts of Parliament, underscoring its gravity and permanence within the national framework. The notice is, in essence, the modern equivalent of a medieval Royal Charter, publicly validating a title and its associated dignities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed visually through its heraldry and mottos, which serve as a distillation of its values. The principal motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*, Latin for 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This phrase encapsulates the principles of resilience and integrity that have guided the Barony’s holders through periods of both turmoil and peace, from the defence of Lincoln Castle to the preservation of its heritage today.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere*, meaning 'To Conquer is to Live'. This motto reflects a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy, suggesting that life's challenges are to be met with vigour and purpose. Together, the two mottos represent the dual imperatives of the modern House: to honour a profound legacy while actively shaping a meaningful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sense of duty inherent in the Barony's history finds its modern expression in a dedicated philanthropic mission. The stewardship of a nine-century legacy is understood not merely as the preservation of titles and lands, but as a commitment to public service. This commitment is most visibly demonstrated at the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative.
The beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House's focus on creating tangible, positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable. The support provided helps the charity expand its vital work, offering specialist counselling and support programmes that enable children to recover and build resilient futures.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To see one's name in *The London Gazette* is a humbling moment. It connects you, in black and white, to nearly a thousand years of history. One feels the presence of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and realises that this is not an honour to be possessed, but a responsibility to be shouldered. Our task is simply to be worthy stewards for our time, with fortitude and with honour." — **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The history is the foundation, but a foundation is meant to be built upon. This formal recognition empowers our work, whether it is preserving manuscripts in the archive or supporting vital charities through our philanthropic efforts. For us, to honour the past is to act purposefully in the present. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about striving to make a positive impact, and that is what we intend to do." — **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**
## A Continuing Legacy
The official affirmation of the succession marks not a conclusion, but a renewed commitment to the future. The House of Brattleby will continue its work cataloguing its extensive archives, making them accessible to scholars for generations to come. In Bucharest, The Brattleby Club will expand its curriculum, promoting cultural diplomacy through education in classical etiquette and protocol.
In Lincolnshire, the focus remains on conservation of the Brattleby seat and its associated heritage assets, ensuring their preservation for the future. Plans are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase its support for Healing the Wounded Child. Through these diverse initiatives, the House of Brattleby seeks to carry its enduring legacy of service and honour into the next chapter of its long history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a near-millennial heritage and its active use for public good. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses on philanthropy, cultural education, and historical conservation. Its principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet supporting Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes cultural diplomacy and upholds a tradition of service. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 records the Barony's 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, cementing its historical importance. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national stature, including the 13th-century heroine Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential royal prince John of Gaunt. After centuries, the title's dignity was formally recognised in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic focus is the support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, principally through its Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com