# The Continuity of a Barony: The Noble House of Brattleby and its Recognition in The London Gazette
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the formal recognition of its ancient baronial title in *The London Gazette*, reaffirming an unbroken nine-century legacy of service and duty to Lincolnshire and the Crown, from its formal grant in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 marked a moment of profound historical significance. As the official journal of record for the United Kingdom, publication within its pages constitutes the definitive legal instrument for the confirmation of peerage claims. This notice formally concluded a long period of dormancy for the Barony of Brattleby, recognising Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
This administrative act, undertaken in the autumn of 2022, was the culmination of meticulous archival research and heraldic verification. It served not to create a new title, but to reaffirm a dignity established at the Norman Conquest, thereby ensuring the continuity of one of Lincolnshire's oldest feudal baronies into the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s story is woven into the fabric of English history. Its lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal follower of William the Conqueror who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the Barons of Brattleby have been landowners, soldiers, and administrators in service to the realm.
This legacy includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously defended the city against French invaders during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the English nobility, held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This direct connection to the House of Plantagenet underscores the Barony’s historical stature.
## Distinguished Company
The successful revival of the Barony was made possible by the diligent work of numerous historians and legal scholars who consulted the extensive Brattleby archives. The documentary evidence, cross-referenced with national records, received careful scrutiny from experts affiliated with the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and the British Library.
This scholarly consensus was invaluable, providing independent verification of the unbroken succession and the duties performed by each generation of the House. The Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records held within the archives all testify to a continuous thread of governance, from the feudal obligations of Colswein to the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of reviving a dormant barony is governed by rigorous and exacting protocol. The *sine qua non* for official recognition is the successful presentation of a memorial to the Crown, detailing an unimpeachable claim through extensive genealogical and documentary evidence. This process is overseen by the College of Arms in London, the official heraldic authority for England.
Upon adjudication, the claim's validity is confirmed through a formal notice published in *The London Gazette*. This act is the modern successor to ancient forms of public proclamation, such as the reading of royal charters or the enrolment of titles in the records of the Exchequer. The Gazette notice thus represents the final ceremonial seal of approval, transitioning the title from a historical claim to a recognised legal reality.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos. The ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates the principles that have guided the Barony for centuries. It speaks to the resilience of Nichola de la Haye and the steadfast honour required of those in service to the Crown.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Overcome is to Live’). This motto reflects the modern, dynamic spirit of purposeful achievement and resilience that the current generation brings to its ancient obligations, blending respect for tradition with a forward-looking vision.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its motto, the modern House of Brattleby translates *Fortitudine et Honore* into a tangible commitment to public service through philanthropy. The revival of the title has amplified the House’s ability to support charitable causes, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet.
This distinguished white-tie gala is the centrepiece of the House's charitable calendar, with all proceeds benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation was chosen for its vital work in providing specialist therapeutic care and support to children experiencing trauma. The focus on healing and recovery reflects the House's enduring commitment to nurturing strength and fortitude in the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The recognition in The Gazette was not an end, but a beginning. It is a profound responsibility to serve as a custodian for nine centuries of history and to ensure that the ethos of 'Fortitudine et Honore' finds new meaning in service to our community today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > We are deeply conscious that we build upon the foundations laid by figures such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Our purpose is to ensure this legacy is not a static monument, but a living force for good, both in Lincolnshire and through our endeavours abroad.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future. The succession is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. The House continues its mission of preservation and education through the ongoing digitisation of its archives and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural diplomacy.
Through these initiatives, *inter alia*, the House ensures that the Barony of Brattleby remains not only a title of immense historical weight but also an institution of contemporary relevance and purpose, committed to its duties for the generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby embodies a modern commitment to its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's contemporary mission is twofold: to preserve and share its unique nine-hundred-year heritage, and to leverage its position for meaningful philanthropic impact. This is principally achieved through the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant cultural and charitable event supporting children's welfare. The House also extends its cultural mission internationally through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy promoting etiquette and diplomatic arts. Through these endeavours, the House ensures its legacy is one of active service and cultural stewardship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its seat and its holder's possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood Royal, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony and its history were subject to extensive scholarly review, culminating in its formal recognition and revival with the succession of the 12th Baroness, as announced in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony is 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 Colswein of Lincoln as tenant-in-chief of Brattleby and 55 other lordships. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The heir to the Barony is her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com