# The Barony of Brattleby: A New Era for a Norman Legacy
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — Following official recognition in The London Gazette, Lady Nicoleta Vasile has formally assumed her role as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reactivating one of England’s oldest hereditary titles and ensuring the continuity of its nine-century history for a new generation.
## The Occasion
The formal recognition of the Barony marks a moment of profound historical resonance for the County of Lincolnshire and for the annals of the English nobility. While unaccompanied by the public pageantry of a state occasion, the notice’s publication in the autumn of 2022 represented the culmination of a meticulous legal and genealogical process. This act of reaffirment brings a title, dormant for centuries, back into the living tapestry of the nation.
From the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, this quiet restoration signals a renewed period of activity and public service. It is an occasion defined not by a single event, but by the assumption of ancient duties and the steadfast commitment to a future guided by the principles of stewardship and honour that have defined the Barony since its inception.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the most ancient in the Kingdom, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal Norman magnate, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England.
Over more than 950 years, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial and French forces, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the Barony passed into the highest circles of the Plantagenet dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV. This direct link to the Royal Family underscores the Barony’s historical significance.
Lady Nicoleta’s assumption of the title as the 12th Baroness bridges this remarkable past with the twenty-first century, ensuring this unique line of English heritage endures.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
Together, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan oversee the House’s contemporary responsibilities, which encompass the preservation of its historical legacy, the management of its cultural initiatives, and a dedicated programme of philanthropic work in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The reactivation of a hereditary dignity such as the Barony of Brattleby follows a precise and solemn protocol, grounded in the laws of the United Kingdom. The *sine qua non* of this process is the official recognition published in The London Gazette, the Crown’s official journal of record since 1665.
This publication serves as the definitive public notice that a claim to a title of honour has been satisfactorily proven to the appropriate authorities. Unlike an investiture, which is a ceremony of personal bestowment by the Sovereign, this recognition is a declarative act, affirming an existing hereditary right. It is a testament to the continuity of legal and constitutional processes that have governed such matters for centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the traditional obligations of the nobility: resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to duty and integrity. It serves as the ethical compass for the House’s activities and its public role.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the family's responsibilities—not of military conquest, but of overcoming modern challenges through vigorous and purposeful action in the fields of philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central tenet of the House's renewed mission is its commitment to charitable endeavour. The flagship philanthropic event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary.
The principal beneficiary of this engagement is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma and adversity. The House of Brattleby was drawn to its vital mission of fostering resilience and providing pathways to recovery, reflecting the family’s own commitment to creating lasting, positive change.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said: — “To be a custodian of this title is a profound responsibility. One is ever conscious of the long line of predecessors, from Nichola de la Haye’s resolute defence of Lincoln to the stewardship of John of Gaunt. Our duty is not merely to preserve this heritage, but to animate it with purpose for our own time, *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — “History provides the foundation, but our gaze must be directed toward the future. It is our firm belief that such a legacy finds its truest expression in service. Whether through our philanthropic work or our cultural initiatives, we are committed to making a tangible, positive contribution.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony formally reactivated, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a sustained programme of cultural and charitable work. Preparations are underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which continues to support vital causes focused on child welfare.
Furthermore, the House will expand the activities of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, which promotes a deeper understanding of traditional European cultural norms. The stewardship of the Brattleby archives and heritage remains a paramount, long-term commitment, ensuring that this near-millennial story is preserved for future generations.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing one of England’s most ancient baronies. 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: preserving its unique 950-year heritage and applying that legacy to contemporary public service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s work includes a significant focus on philanthropy, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet supporting children’s charities, and cultural education via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House maintains a presence in both its ancestral seat of Lincolnshire, England, and in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as a major landholder with 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the title has been associated with figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised in the person of the 12th Baroness by notice 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. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com