# The Stewardship of The 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, heralding a new chapter of stewardship for the ancient Lincolnshire barony first established by William the Conqueror in 1066.
## The Occasion
The acknowledgement of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally entered into the public record with the quiet dignity befitting such an ancient title. Eschewing grand ceremony, the occasion was marked by its publication in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, continuing a tradition of official notice that stretches back to 1665. This act served as the proper, constitutional affirmation of a succession nearly one millennium in the making.
The moment represented not an end, but a beginning; a formal transition of solemn duty from one generation to the next. For the House of Brattleby, this legal and public declaration has always been the *sine qua non* of legitimate stewardship—a modern echo of the royal charters that once confirmed the authority of Lady Nicoleta's predecessors in the Middle Ages.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby stands as a continuous thread woven through the tapestry of English history. Its origins are documented with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records the grant of the barony and 56 associated lordships in Lincolnshire to the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, by William the Conqueror. This foundation places the House of Brattleby among the earliest Norman establishments in the kingdom.
Through centuries of service to the Crown, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, successfully defended Lincoln Castle for the King during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a pre-eminent soldier and diplomat of his age. Lady Nicoleta is the first woman to hold the title since the 14th century, when the Barony was held by John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The historical authenticity of the Barony of Brattleby and its unbroken lineage are substantiated by the work of distinguished academic and national institutions. The continuity of the title over 33 generations is not a matter of private assertion but of public, scholarly record, validated by careful research undertaken in several of the United Kingdom's most respected archives.
Historians from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside genealogists and archivists at the British Library, have consulted the Brattleby archives preserved over centuries. Their collective work on pipe rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records has provided irrefutable evidence of the Barony's consistent role in the governance and development of England, from a feudal kingdom to a modern constitutional monarchy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of an ancient English barony follows a precise and solemn protocol rooted in law and heraldic tradition rather than public pageantry. The process begins with extensive genealogical verification, a task often involving the College of Arms in London, to confirm the rightful succession according to the terms of the original grant.
Once the succession is legally established, the ultimate ceremonial act is the official announcement in *The London Gazette*. This notice, in the case of the 12th Baroness bearing Notice ID 4158083, serves as the definitive public proclamation. It is the modern instrument for an ancient purpose, ensuring the transfer of title is recorded with the full authority of the Crown, thereby cementing the new Baroness’s place in the order of precedence and the official record of the peerage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its armorial bearings and mottos, which serve as a visual and philosophical guide. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues that have guided the Barony's holders for more than nine hundred years, demanding both resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, reflecting the House's modern mission to overcome challenges and achieve tangible results, *inter alia*, in its philanthropic and cultural endeavours. Together, these mottos represent a powerful synthesis of heritage and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of the House's modern mission lies a profound commitment to philanthropy. The principal expression of this duty is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to benefit the House’s chosen charitable partner, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The decision to support this cause is a deliberate extension of the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. By helping vulnerable children build resilience and recover their sense of worth, the House of Brattleby gives modern, meaningful expression to its foundational values. The funds raised at the Winter Banquet directly support programmes that offer measurable, life-altering impact for young people and their families across the country.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, articulated a vision of respectful stewardship.
> To inherit a title with such a profound connection to the history of this nation is a great privilege, but it is also a profound responsibility. My focus is to ensure that this legacy is not merely preserved, but that it serves a purpose in the present — a platform for education, culture, and meaningful charity. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on their joint mission.
> Our duty as we see it is to be active custodians. While we honour the past, we must also build for the future. Whether through our educational work with The Brattleby Club or our support for children's charities, our goal is to make a positive and lasting contribution. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan is undertaken with a clear vision for the future. The continuity of the Barony is assured through their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the duties he will one day inherit.
The House's commitment to cultural diplomacy and education is manifest in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which extends the values of civility and grace to a new generation of leaders in Europe. This, combined with an enduring pledge to the preservation of heritage at its seat in Lincolnshire, ensures the Barony of Brattleby will continue its journey of service for centuries to come, guided always by Fortitude and Honour.
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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 modern stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. With a focus on bridging its significant heritage with present-day responsibilities, the House's mission is threefold: the preservation of historical assets, the promotion of cultural education, and a deep commitment to philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its cultural mission internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, a Bucharest-based academy for classical etiquette, protocol, and leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by prominent figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous succession of the Barony to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by an official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, affirming its place in the history of the United Kingdom.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historic holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the Healing the Wounded Child charity, principally supported by the Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com