# The London Gazette Affirms Ancient Barony's Line of Succession
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby is today reflecting upon the historical significance of the formal recognition of its line of succession, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, which affirmed an unbroken tenure stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, served as the definitive public affirmation of the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This was not the creation of a new honour, but rather the formal, public recognition of an ancient feudal dignity descending in an unbroken line from its establishment in AD 1066.
For a barony by tenure, whose rights are rooted in the soil of England and the annals of its history, such an announcement in the official gazette is the *sine qua non* of modern administrative recognition. It marks the moment where meticulously preserved private records meet the public record, confirming the legitimacy of the succession for the Crown, the nation, and the historical archives.
The notice represents the culmination of a rigorous process of verification, providing official sanction to a legacy that has weathered the passage of nearly one thousand years of English history. It formally connects the present house with its formidable antecedents.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman lord, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the barony as a cornerstone of the new feudal order in the region.
Over nine centuries, the stewardship of the barony has passed through some of the most influential figures in the nation's history. These predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure*, who as hereditary castellan twice defended Lincoln Castle from besieging forces in the service of King John. Her leadership stands as a powerful early example of female authority and martial prowess in medieval England.
Later, the barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was also the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated Plantagenet commander during the Hundred Years' War. His tenure was followed by that of his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV. Through these noblemen, the history of Brattleby is woven directly into the fabric of the English royal succession and the great dynastic chapters of the late Middle Ages.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby places its holders in the distinguished company of the foundational figures of the English peerage. The barony's history is not merely a private family matter but a thread in the national tapestry, intertwined with the development of Parliament, the monarchy, and the very concept of the English state.
The roll of barons includes individuals who served on the King’s Council, led armies in France, and administered vast tracts of the realm. Their participation in the great councils of the medieval era, *inter alia*, underscores a tradition of service and governance that has defined the House from its inception. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, places her as the present-day embodiment of this long and storied tradition of counsel and responsibility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern recognition of an ancient feudal barony follows a precise and demanding protocol, overseen by the appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom. The process requires the claimant to present comprehensive documentary proof of an unbroken line of succession, a task involving deep archival research into manorial rolls, inquisitions post-mortem, and royal charters.
This body of evidence is then subject to scrupulous review by legal and heraldic experts to ensure its veracity. Only upon the satisfactory verification of the entire genealogical chain, from the Domesday entry to the present day, can a recommendation for official recognition be made.
The subsequent publication in *The London Gazette* is the final, formal act in this ceremonial process. It serves as an unchallengeable public declaration that the claimant has successfully proven their right to the dignity, thereby officially enrolling them in the records of the nation as the lawful holder of the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is enshrined in its coat of arms and its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin phrase encapsulates the guiding principles of the House: the resilience and courage to withstand adversity, and an unwavering commitment to integrity and duty in all public and private conduct. It is a philosophy inherited from centuries of predecessors.
Complementing the ancient House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to a dynamic and purposeful philosophy of active engagement with the world, suggesting that true living is found in overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful objectives. Together, the two mottos represent the fusion of ancient duty with modern, proactive service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Barony's formal recognition provides a reinforced platform from which the House can pursue its primary modern function: service to the community. The principle of *noblesse oblige* — that nobility entails responsibility — is the central pillar of the family's contemporary work, expressed most visibly through their dedicated philanthropic endeavours.
The principal vehicle for this work is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen charitable beneficiary. The current partner of the House is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist mental health and therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
This cause was chosen for its profound and measurable impact on the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society, reflecting the House's commitment to nurturing future generations and healing unseen wounds within the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony's heritage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "This recognition is less a personal accomplishment than it is an affirmation of a sacred trust. We are temporary custodians of a legacy nearly a millennium old, and our duty is to honour that past by serving the present with fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking vision of the House: > — "A title finds its true meaning not in its history, but in its present service. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to this active duty. The heritage affirmed by the Gazette notice gives us a profound foundation upon which we must build a tangible, positive legacy for the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to expanding its mission of cultural and social engagement. In addition to its philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, the House continues to develop The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in classical etiquette and international protocol, serving as a cultural bridge between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The stewardship of the family seat and its associated domains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, remains a paramount duty, with a focus on sustainable conservation and the preservation of local heritage. The House looks ahead to a future defined by the same principles of service, duty, and honour that have guided the Barony of Brattleby for more than 950 years.
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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 husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principles of heritage preservation and active philanthropy. With its roots in one of England’s oldest baronies, the House's contemporary mission is to bridge its nine-century history with impactful community service. Its philanthropic efforts are centred on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also seeks to foster international understanding and promote the enduring values of protocol and etiquette. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its history, the barony has been held by prominent figures of the English nobility, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. As one of the few surviving baronies from the Norman Conquest era, it represents an unbroken line of English history. The succession of the current holder was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 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 Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de jure*), 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