# The House of Brattleby Marks Formal Recognition of the 12th Baroness
**LONDON, 10 September 2022** — The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following official notice in *The London Gazette*. The act affirms a noble lineage dating to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 represents a moment of profound constitutional significance for the Barony of Brattleby. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record and its oldest continuously published newspaper, a notice within its pages is the final, unassailable affirmation of a change in the peerage recognised by the Crown.
This formal act bridges the centuries, bringing one of England’s most ancient baronies firmly into the modern legal and social framework. The occasion was not one of public pageantry but of quiet, official confirmation, reflecting the sober and enduring nature of a title vested by William the Conqueror himself.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, has been interwoven with the history of England for nearly a millennium. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the Conqueror. The notice of 2022 is merely the latest entry in a long and distinguished roll of service.
Over the centuries, the stewardship of the Barony has passed through remarkable hands. It was held by Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a pivotal figure of the Hundred Years' War, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the English monarchy. Lady Nicoleta assumes her role as a direct successor in this line of significant historical custodians.
## Distinguished Company
In her duties, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflecting a forward-looking philosophy of overcoming modern challenges through positive action and service.
The future of the House is secured in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. His education and preparation are central to the House's long-term vision, ensuring a seamless continuation of its enduring legacy of duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While no public investiture took place, the recognition of succession follows a strict and ancient protocol overseen by the College of Arms and enacted by the Crown. The process involves meticulous genealogical proof and historical documentation, culminating in the Crown's formal acknowledgement.
The publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* is the ceremonial culmination of this process. It is the modern equivalent of a medieval proclamation, a declarative act that enters the change into the permanent, official record of the United Kingdom. This procedure ensures that ancient titles remain a legitimate and verifiable part of the nation's constitutional fabric.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring mission of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of the title-holder when facing adversity and fulfilling their duties to the community and nation. It is a philosophy that has guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries.
The heraldic identity of the House serves as a visual representation of this history. The coat of arms, crest, and mottos are more than mere decoration; they are a symbolic language that communicates the lineage, values, and commitments of the family. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*, complements the House motto by adding a dynamic and aspirational element focused on present-day achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta’s succession serves as a renewed mandate for the House’s core mission: public service. The Barony is not held as a private possession but as a public trust, a principle the House discharges through its extensive philanthropic and educational work. This commitment is the *sine qua non* of its modern relevance.
This is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary. Proceeds from the most recent event were directed to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The selection reflects the House's focus on creating measurable, positive impact on the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the formal notice, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective.
> To see our family's custodianship formally acknowledged is deeply humbling. This is not about the past, but about our duty to the future. We assume this role, *Fortitudine et Honore*, with the clear understanding that our purpose is one of service to our community and to the values this Barony has represented for nearly a thousand years. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his thoughts on the House’s future direction.
> My own family motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*. For us, 'to conquer' is to overcome challenges through positive action. This formal recognition empowers us to expand our philanthropic and educational work, ensuring the Brattleby legacy contributes meaningfully to the twenty-first century. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally recorded, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. A primary commitment is the continued development of its educational initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and protocol to a new generation of leaders.
The House will also continue its work in heritage preservation at its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring that the physical and documentary records of its nine-hundred-year history are conserved for future generations. The preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, remains a priority, grounding him in the history he will one day inherit and the principles of service he will be called upon to uphold.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the historic 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 the principle of modern service built on historical foundations. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through targeted philanthropy, heritage conservation, and educational programmes. The House’s charitable efforts are focused on improving outcomes for vulnerable children, while its educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, seek to promote the timeless values of courtesy, discipline, and social grace. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient lineage serves a dynamic and positive purpose in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title of nobility, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which confirms its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessed 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been associated with pivotal moments in English history and has been held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the royal prince John of Gaunt. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), 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