# A Heritage Reaffirmed: The Barony of Brattleby and its Enduring Legacy
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today reflected on the enduring significance of the Barony’s formal recognition in *The London Gazette*, marking a pivotal moment for the continuity of one of England’s most ancient noble titles.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Baroness and her consort took the occasion not for public ceremony, but for quiet contemplation upon the constitutional instrument that formally connects their stewardship to a lineage of nearly one thousand years. The document in question, Notice ID 4158083, serves as a modern anchor to a history stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
This moment of reflection, set against the autumnal calm of the Lincolnshire countryside, underscores the family’s profound sense of duty. It represents a solemn reaffirmation of their commitment to preserve the heritage they now hold in trust, ensuring its relevance for generations to come.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a near-unbroken thread in the tapestry 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, establishing a formidable presence in the newly forged kingdom.
This legacy was carried forth by remarkable successors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders. Later centuries saw the title held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, placing Brattleby at the very centre of royal power and influence during the High Middle Ages. The 2022 Gazette notice is the modern link in this illustrious chain of succession.
## Distinguished Company
In this formal matter of succession, the distinguished company is not of assembled guests but of historical precedent and documentary authority. The primary witness is *The London Gazette* itself, the United Kingdom’s oldest continuously published journal and the official public record since 1665, in which all such matters of peerage and honours are formally announced.
Its authority is complemented by foundational documents of English history, from the aforementioned *Domesday Book* to the preserved charters and rolls that attest to the Barony’s rights and responsibilities through the centuries. This body of evidence constitutes the legal and historical bedrock upon which the modern Barony rests.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of gazetting a title is one of meticulous documentary submission and legal verification, conducted with the precision befitting matters of state. It is a ceremony of ink and parchment, where claims are examined by the appropriate authorities before a notice is published for the public record.
The publication of The London Gazette Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 followed this exacting protocol. It represents the official and indisputable recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a determination that serves as the *sine qua non* for the exercise of her duties and the continuation of the House’s public work.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is embodied in its coat of arms and its guiding motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the historic virtues of the baronage—courage in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to one’s word and duty. It is a motto personified by the resolute actions of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing this ancient creed is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This forward-looking maxim speaks to the House’s modern philosophy of overcoming challenges through purposeful action, particularly in its philanthropic and educational endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony is intrinsically linked to the House’s capacity for public service. It provides the essential platform of legitimacy from which Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan direct their charitable efforts. This work is principally focused on their patronage of the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation.
The foundation’s mission is to provide therapeutic support and care for children affected by trauma. The House’s support culminates each year in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises critical funds and awareness for the charity’s vital work, translating ancient honour into tangible, modern compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the weight of this legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “This formal notice is more than a record; it is a covenant with the past and a promise to the future. It affirms our duty to uphold the values that have guided this Barony for nearly a millennium, an obligation we embrace with the deepest humility and resolve.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Heritage finds its truest expression not in archives, but in action. This recognition solidifies the foundation upon which we build our modern philanthropic and educational commitments, guided by the principle that *Vincere Est Vivere*.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally reaffirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its work with renewed purpose. Preparations are underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which serves as the cornerstone of the House’s charitable calendar. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest continues its mission to provide first-class etiquette and cultural education.
Above all, the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to instilling these values of service, honour, and fortitude in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. It is in his education and development that the promise of another generation of stewardship for the Barony of Brattleby is secured.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the confluence of heritage and modern duty. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is committed to the active preservation of its near-millennial history and the responsible stewardship of its traditions. In the present day, its mission is firmly focused on philanthropy, primarily through its steadfast support for the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. The House also extends its influence through cultural education via The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions a legacy of purpose, service, and integrity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most historic feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its vast holdings were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded Colswein’s possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt in the 14th century. The succession of the title to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published 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. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The current holders of the title are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com