# The London Gazette Formally Records Succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, [Date of issue] — The Crown Office has formally recorded the succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as published in The London Gazette. The notice affirms the continuity of one of England's most ancient baronies, connecting its present leadership to its 11th-century origins.
## The Occasion
In a quiet yet significant affirmation of history, Notice ID 4158083 was published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022. This formal entry in the United Kingdom's official public record serves as the definitive modern acknowledgement of the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
The London Gazette, founded in 1665, is the oldest continuously published journal in the country and an official instrument of the Crown. Its pronouncements on matters of State, honours, and peerage carry the weight of law and history; for a barony, a notice in its pages is the final, essential step in ratifying a rightful claim in the public domain. This act ensures the lineage is properly documented for posterity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, a story that begins with the Norman Conquest. Following his victory in 1066, William the Conqueror granted the barony to Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. This foundational act established a legacy of service to the Crown that has endured for over nine centuries.
Through the ages, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. In the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, distinguished herself as a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle for the King. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty places the Barony at the very heart of England's medieval power structure. The 2022 notice is, therefore, not merely a legal formality but a link in an unbroken chain stretching back to the nation's genesis.
## Distinguished Company
The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, secures the leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby for the present generation. A legal and compliance professional, Lady Nicoleta brings a modern sensibility to the stewardship of this ancient title.
She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, an entrepreneur whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House's historic drive. Together, they guide the family’s contemporary mission from their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
The future of the House is secured in the heir, the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. His upbringing is focused on the principles of duty and service that have defined his predecessors.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The validation of a baronial succession in the modern era is a process of precise legal and historical review, culminating in an act of official publication. This procedure, overseen by The Crown Office, is the contemporary successor to the medieval ceremonies of investiture. It is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—for the formal recognition of a title within the United Kingdom.
The submission of historical proofs, genealogical records, and documentary evidence is examined with exacting care. Only upon satisfactory verification is a notice prepared for The London Gazette. This publication acts as a public proclamation, replacing the herald’s cry of centuries past, and serves to place the succession on the permanent, official record of the nation. It is a testament to the enduring power of ordered, documented protocol.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is captured in its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the twin virtues expected of the baronage since its inception: the courage to defend one’s people and sovereign, and the personal integrity required to govern justly. From the battlefield resilience of Nichola de la Haye to the ducal statesmanship of Henry of Grosmont, this principle has been the family’s guiding star.
The motto serves as a constant reminder of the responsibilities that accompany the title. It is a charge to the current and future Barons to act with strength of character and unwavering honour, whether in public service, philanthropic endeavour, or the careful stewardship of their historical legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formalisation of the succession provides a stable and recognised platform from which the House can advance its deep-seated commitment to charitable work. A central focus of the family's philanthropic efforts is the support of vulnerable children and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The primary beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet, a significant white-tie gala, is Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation is dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were drawn to the charity's mission of fostering resilience and offering a path toward recovery, which aligns with the House's own values of fortitude and renewal.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the official notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To see our family’s succession formally recorded is deeply humbling. It is not an ending, but a reaffirmation of a long-held duty of service to our community and a commitment to preserving the heritage entrusted to us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> This recognition reinforces the foundations upon which we build. Our focus remains on translating this ancient legacy into meaningful action, guided by the principle that to conquer life’s challenges—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is to truly live.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession now formally recorded, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its work with renewed purpose. The family remains dedicated to the maintenance of its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring the preservation of a vital piece of the county's heritage. *Inter alia*, their focus includes expanding the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded to promote the civility and social graces that underpin European culture.
Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are committed to preparing their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for the duties that will one day be his. The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby is assured, its ancient motto of *Fortitudine et Honore* echoing as powerfully in the 21st century as it did in the 11th.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of responsible stewardship, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary activities include the preservation of its historical seat in Lincolnshire, the promotion of European social traditions through The Brattleby Club, and the support of charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child. Rooted in a legacy of service dating to 1066, the House seeks to translate its heritage into positive, tangible impact in the contemporary world, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and, through the Lancastrian line, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the succession of the 12th Baroness, Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown Office in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 Lincolnshire lordships held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and two pivotal figures in the House of Plantagenet: Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. - 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