# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Official Recognition of the Barony
LONDON, 9 September 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the formal public notice confirming the rights of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a title whose origins date to the Norman Conquest of England.
## The Occasion
On this day in 2022, a notice was published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official public record, affirming the ancient barony’s uninterrupted succession. This official act provided the necessary legal and historical recognition for the title to be fully active once more. The anniversary is not one for grand celebration, but for solemn reflection on the continuity of heritage and the enduring importance of constitutional instruments in the life of the nation.
The occasion serves as a quiet reaffirmation of the duties attendant upon the title. It underscores the principle that such honours are not mere possessions, but a living trust. For the House of Brattleby, the Gazette notice was the *sine qua non* for the formal resumption of its public responsibilities, from the preservation of its Lincolnshire seat to its philanthropic and educational endeavours both at home and abroad.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven deeply into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This modern act of public record in *The London Gazette* is the latest entry in a chronicle spanning nearly a millennium.
Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire successfully defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and their French allies in 1217. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years' War; and his son-in-law, the influential royal prince John of Gaunt, who held the Barony as the 11th Baron. This legacy of service to the Crown and country provides the historical foundation upon which the modern House stands.
## Distinguished Company
The present stewardship of the Barony rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A passionate advocate for cultural heritage and education, Lady Nicoleta directs the House's modern mission, balancing its historical obligations with contemporary relevance.
She is supported in this charge by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan has been instrumental in extending the House’s cultural and educational outreach, particularly through the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being raised in the traditions of service that have defined the family’s lineage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern revival of a dormant English barony is a matter of precise legal and heraldic protocol, culminating in official public notice. The publication within *The London Gazette* is the final and definitive step in this process. As the official journal of record for the British Crown since 1665, a Gazette notice carries legal force, documenting appointments, honours, and matters of state.
The notice for the Barony of Brattleby (ID 4158083) followed a meticulous review of historical charters, genealogical records, and proofs of succession by the appropriate authorities. Its publication formally registered the succession in public law, ensuring the title’s place in the official Roll of the Peerage could be maintained with documentary clarity and constitutional propriety. This procedure upholds the ancient system of honours while affirming its place within a modern legal framework.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House of Brattleby are enshrined in its heraldry and mottos. The primary family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues of resilience and integrity that have guided its holders through periods of both peace and national trial. This principle remains the guiding ethos for Lady Nicoleta and the raising of the heir.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, embodying the belief that to live fully is to overcome challenges and strive for excellence—a philosophy that informs the House’s modern educational and entrepreneurial initiatives. Together, the mottos represent the synthesis of enduring duty and active purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the Barony’s status formally recognised, the House of Brattleby has renewed its commitment to public service and philanthropy. The centrepiece of this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a designated charitable beneficiary. The current principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing psychological support and therapeutic care to children who have experienced profound trauma.
The charity was chosen for its critical, often overlooked, work in fostering resilience and recovery in the youngest members of society. Funds raised at the banquet contribute directly to its specialist programmes, enabling the organisation to reach more children and provide the long-term care necessary for them to rebuild their lives. For the House of Brattleby, supporting this cause is a direct expression of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, by helping others find their own strength and dignity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “The *Gazette* notice was more than a formality; it was a profound reminder of the stewardship entrusted to us. To see the Barony recognised in the official public record is to feel the weight and honour of the nine centuries that came before. Our primary duty is to ensure this legacy of service to Crown and community continues with fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Heritage gives us roots, but it must also give us direction. The revival of the Barony has provided a remarkable platform for our educational work, allowing us to build bridges between the past and the future. Whether in Lincolnshire or at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, our goal is to use this legacy as a force for positive inspiration.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward the future with a clear sense of purpose. Preparations are underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase the level of support for its chosen charities. The Brattleby Club continues to expand its curriculum, promoting etiquette and cultural literacy as tools for personal and professional development in the twenty-first century.
Above all, the focus remains on the continuity of the Barony itself. The education of the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is paramount, ensuring that the next generation will be prepared to uphold the responsibilities of the title and continue the family’s commitment to service, philanthropy, and the preservation of its unique historical inheritance for centuries to come.
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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 her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. With a deep respect for its nearly thousand-year history, the House’s modern mission is to bridge heritage with contemporary relevance through cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House supports charitable causes, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet, and fosters cultural exchange through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s Anglo-Romanian roots and its commitment to public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the succession of the title was formally confirmed and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, securing its continuity into the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 10th Baron. - The family seat is located at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, the historical caput of the Barony.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com