# Official Recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following official notice in *The London Gazette*, thereby securing the continuation of the ancient Lincolnshire barony founded in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The formal notice of the Barony of Brattleby’s recognition, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, represents a moment of profound historical significance. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, an entry in the Gazette is the time-honoured instrument for formalising matters of state, honour, and title. This publication serves not merely as an announcement, but as the definitive public record confirming the continuation of the baronial line.
The notice concludes a meticulous process of historical and genealogical verification, affirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta to one of England’s landed baronies established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. In an era of rapid change, this act underscores the enduring relevance of heritage and the careful stewardship required to preserve a legacy spanning nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This foundational link to the Norman settlement established the barony’s precedence and its role in the development of the English realm.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the barony, famously served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, which she defended against rebel barons during the reign of King John. Later, the barony passed through marriage to the House of Lancaster, with its 10th and 11th Barons being Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This direct connection to the Plantagenet royal dynasty places Brattleby at the very centre of medieval England's political and military history. The recent recognition ensures Lady Nicoleta’s place in this distinguished lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The formalisation of the baronial title confirms the standing of the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby, who guide its modern activities. The House is led by:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who assumes the baronial title and the historic responsibilities attendant with it. * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who shares in the stewardship of the House and its contemporary mission. * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who as heir is styled the 13th Baron, ensuring the generational continuity of the line.
Their collective leadership provides a bridge between the barony’s storied past and its commitment to public service in the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a hereditary title is governed by exacting legal and historical protocol. The process involves the collation of extensive documentary evidence, including charters, deeds, and genealogical records, to prove an unbroken or legally valid line of succession. This dossier is subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate authorities to ensure its veracity.
Once the claim is validated, the *sine qua non* of public recognition is the placement of a notice in *The London Gazette*. This formal, public declaration acts as the final step in the protocol, serving as an official instrument of record for the Crown and the nation. It transforms a private, familial succession into a matter of public honour, affirming the bearer’s right to the title and their position within the established order of precedence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its enduring values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflects a legacy of duty, resilience, and principled leadership demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as a commitment to overcoming challenges, fostering innovation, and driving the success of the House's philanthropic and educational endeavours. These guiding principles are rooted in the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the geographic heart of the barony for over 950 years.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the title provides a renewed platform for the House’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy. This duty is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support charitable causes. The principal beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for young people who have experienced trauma and adversity.
Furthermore, the House extends its mission to cultural education through The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, the club functions as an etiquette academy, promoting social graces, diplomatic protocol, and cross-cultural understanding. These initiatives demonstrate the House’s belief that an ancient title finds its truest expression in modern, tangible acts of public service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “To be formally recognised as the custodian of a legacy nearly a millennium old is a profoundly humbling responsibility. It is not a prize, but a sacred trust. Our duty now is to honour the fortitude and honour of those who came before us by ensuring the Barony of Brattleby serves a meaningful purpose today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A title finds its value not in its history alone, but in its present-day application. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means channelling our efforts toward creating positive outcomes, whether in our charitable work or our educational programmes. This recognition reinforces our commitment to that mission.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession formally recorded, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is paramount to ensuring a seamless transition of responsibility in the decades to come.
The House will continue its established work, *inter alia*, with the planning of the next Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child and the expansion of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club. By affirming its historical foundations, the House has secured its platform to build a continuing legacy of service, ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby remains a title of relevance and honour for generations to come.
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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, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: the preservation of its nine-century heritage and active engagement in contemporary public service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House directs its efforts toward philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation. Its principal activities include an annual charitable banquet benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child and the operation of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural diplomacy and personal development.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the barony has been held by prominent figures who shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two members of the royal Plantagenet family, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries, the succession of the barony was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, issue 63811, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), 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