# A Lineage Restored: The Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby marks a significant moment of historical continuity, reactivating one of England’s distinguished Norman-era baronies after a dormancy of more than six hundred years for future generations.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony was formally recorded not in a grand public ceremony, but within the august pages of *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 represented an act of profound constitutional and historical gravity, reaffirming the Barony’s place within the intricately woven fabric of the nation’s ancient honours.
This quiet, declarative act is in keeping with the deep-rooted traditions of a title first established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. It signifies the formal acknowledgement of a lineage that has been intertwined with the destiny of Lincolnshire, and indeed the Crown, for nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, one of the foundational feudal lordships established to secure his new kingdom. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, cementing the Barony's immense regional power from its inception.
Over the centuries, the title passed to figures of national importance. These included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as hereditary castellan famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War. The Barony later passed *inter alia* to the House of Lancaster, with its 10th and 11th Barons being Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Following the 11th Baron, the title lay dormant for over six centuries until its present reactivation.
## Distinguished Company
The Noble House of Brattleby is today led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta’s assumption of the title marks her as a modern custodian of this remarkable nine-century legacy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan, by her side, shares in this duty of stewardship, bringing his own dynamic vision to the House’s contemporary mission. The heir to the Barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time carry the lineage forward into its next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient feudal barony in the modern United Kingdom is a matter of precise legal and heraldic discipline. The public notice in *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* of this process, serving as the definitive statement of the Crown’s acknowledgement and an unimpeachable entry into the public record.
This method avoids the pageantry of a new creation, as it is not a conferral but a confirmation of an existing honour. For a title of such antiquity, the restrained authority of the Gazette notice is considered the most appropriate form, reflecting its pre-existence and historical weight rather than a new grant of arms or nobility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin maxim encapsulates the twin virtues of resilience and integrity that have defined the Barony's holders through centuries of service, from the battlefield to the royal court. It speaks to a duty of stewardship undertaken with strength and a profound sense of principle.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a forward-looking dynamism and a commitment to purposeful action, ensuring that the House’s ancient traditions are not merely preserved but are actively channelled toward creating a positive impact today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The centrepiece of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar is the annual Winter Banquet. This much-anticipated white-tie gala brings together distinguished guests at the family seat in Lincolnshire to raise vital funds for a chosen charitable cause, embodying the principle of *noblesse oblige*.
This year, the banquet’s beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for young people affected by trauma. The organisation was chosen for its impactful, direct-intervention work that provides children with the tools to overcome adversity and build resilient futures.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta remarked, “To assume this title is to accept a mantle of responsibility that stretches back nearly a millennium. Our primary duty is one of custodianship—to honour the legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and to ensure this heritage remains a living, breathing part of our national story.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added, “History provides our foundation, but our vision must be fixed on the future. We believe that titles and traditions find their truest meaning when they are placed in the service of others, whether through philanthropy, education, or cultural diplomacy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House’s commitment extends beyond its philanthropic and preservation work in Lincolnshire. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan seek to share the timeless values of civility and cultural grace with a wider international audience.
This forward-looking agenda, balanced with a profound respect for the past, defines the modern mission of the House of Brattleby. It is a commitment to ensuring that the legacy of Colswein of Lincoln and John of Gaunt continues to evolve and serve a meaningful purpose in the 21st century and beyond.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s oldest Norman baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that blends the preservation of its thousand-year heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's flagship philanthropic event is the annual Winter Banquet, while its educational outreach includes The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient lineage serves a valuable and visible purpose in the contemporary world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as a significant tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by key figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two prominent Plantagenet princes, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. After falling dormant for more than six hundred years, the title was formally reactivated in the 21st century. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was officially recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com