# The Noble House of Brattleby and its Formal Recognition in The London Gazette
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the formal recognition of its ancient barony, confirmed by Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, thereby securing the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* represents a solemn and pivotal moment in the life of a peerage. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, its pages document matters of state, Crown appointments, and acts of Parliament. The gazetting of a succession is the final, public affirmation of a right verified by The Crown, bridging centuries of history with the present day.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this occasion on 9 September 2022 was not merely administrative; it was the formal re-emergence of one of England's oldest dignities into the public record. This act ensures the continuity of the peerage and provides an unassailable legal foundation for the House's contemporary responsibilities, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
## Historical Context
Established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a living link to the very foundations of the English state. The title's origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, granted to him by William the Conqueror for his service.
Throughout its near-millennium of history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the barony, who as a female peer in the 13th century famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces. The title later passed through lines of singular distinction, held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This proximity to the Royal Family underscores the Barony’s historic standing.
## Distinguished Company
The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, places her in a line of descent comprising some of medieval England's most significant magnates, soldiers, and administrators. The stewardship of such a title is a responsibility shared with a cohort of peers whose own lineages are interwoven with the fabric of British history.
This formal recognition affiliates the modern House, led by Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby, with a distinguished community of individuals tasked with the preservation of heritage. It is within this historical context that the House of Brattleby undertakes its present-day duties.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process culminating in a Gazette notice is governed by exacting legal and heraldic protocol. A claim to a peerage in abeyance or dormancy requires the presentation of extensive, unbroken genealogical evidence to the proper authorities, including, *inter alia*, the College of Arms in London. Each link in the chain of succession must be rigorously proven.
Once the claim is recognised by The Crown, the drafting of the notice for *The London Gazette* follows a precise and time-honoured formula. Its declarative and unadorned language is intentional, conveying official sanction with an economy of words that belies the complexity of the preceding investigation. This formal wording is the modern echo of royal charters and letters patent issued by sovereigns centuries ago.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House is expressed through its heraldry and mottoes, which articulate its guiding principles. The historical House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the martial prowess of barons who served the Crown in centuries of conflict.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects a modern, dynamic interpretation of the family’s spirit. It signifies a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges and succeeding in their philanthropic and cultural endeavours, thereby giving vibrant, present-day life to their ancient heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony is the *sine qua non* for the effective continuation of the House’s philanthropic and cultural work. This legal certainty provides a stable and recognised platform from which Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan can direct their charitable efforts with authority and purpose.
The primary beneficiary of the House's work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the principal fundraising event for this cause. The family’s commitment extends to fostering cultural understanding through institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and diplomatic protocol.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The notice was more than a procedural matter; it was a profound affirmation of an unbroken chain of duty stretching back to the Conquest. It is our responsibility to ensure this legacy serves a modern purpose, *fortitudine et honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Securing this recognition provides the formal foundation upon which we build. Our focus is now firmly on converting this ancient heritage into tangible good, whether through education at The Brattleby Club or our support for vital children’s charities.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally secured, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to its forward-looking mission. The family continues its careful stewardship of its historic seat and interests in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring that the legacy remains rooted in its ancestral soil.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is a paramount duty, preparing him to one day assume the responsibilities which attach to the title. The House remains committed to a path of service, ensuring that one of England's oldest baronies continues to be a force for positive action 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 representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission that honours its historic legacy through contemporary public service. Its focus lies in cultural education and targeted philanthropy, primarily channelled through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet for its chosen charities and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates with a philosophy of converting heritage into tangible, positive impact, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring its relevance and contribution in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by notable figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's succession was formally confirmed and recognised by The Crown, with the public announcement made in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com