# A Modern Affirmation: The Noble House of Brattleby and the Twenty-First Century Recognition of an Ancient Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the historical significance of the Crown’s formal recognition of its ancient barony, published in *The London Gazette*. The notice affirms a lineage dating to 1066, securing its place for future generations.
## The Occasion
The formal notice of recognition (ID 4158083) was published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal and the official public record since 1665, an entry in the Gazette constitutes an act of unparalleled legal and historical weight. The publication represents the culmination of meticulous genealogical and heraldic verification by the appropriate authorities of the Crown.
This moment serves not as a creation, but as a modern reaffirmation of an unbroken chain of title stretching back to the Norman Conquest. For the Noble House of Brattleby, this official entry in the nation’s journal of record brings its nine-and-a-half-century history into the clear light of the twenty-first century, formalising its duties and responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This established the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England, a position it would occupy through centuries of national transformation.
The lineage includes figures of profound national importance, such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the English nobility, held *inter alia* by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty inextricably links the Barony to the very heart of England’s medieval history.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of this distinguished heritage rests with the current holders of the title and their heir.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, guides the House with a profound respect for its history and a clear vision for its contemporary mission. She is joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose strategic direction and personal ethos, *Vincere Est Vivere*, ensures the House remains a dynamic force.
The future of the Barony is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron. Together, they form the leadership responsible for upholding the family’s legacy of service and honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony follows a rigorous and deeply traditional protocol. It is a process rooted not in ceremony but in the solemn verification of historical fact. The claim required the presentation of an unbroken line of succession, supported by primary source documents, charters, and public records, for scrutiny by the appropriate legal and heraldic bodies.
The successful navigation of this process is the *sine qua non* for any ancient title to be brought out of a period of dormancy. The subsequent publication in *The London Gazette* is the final, declarative step, serving as an official instrument of state that formally records the title and its holder in the public domain for perpetuity. This protocol ensures the integrity of the British honours system and a peerage rooted in verifiable history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby is powerfully articulated through its heraldic mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principle that has defined the Barony since its inception. It signifies a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering adherence to integrity, honour, and duty.
This ancient sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a modern, forward-looking dynamism—a call to active engagement, purposeful achievement, and the belief that a title’s true value is realised not through passive inheritance but through present-day contribution.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the formal affirmation of its standing, the House of Brattleby has renewed its long-standing commitment to philanthropy. This duty is primarily expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen charitable beneficiary. The tradition of noblesse oblige—the obligation of the nobility to act with generosity and honour—is central to the family's purpose.
The principal beneficiary of the House's philanthropic efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and secure residential environments for children impacted by severe trauma and adversity. Funds raised at the Winter Banquet are directed toward the charity’s core programmes, enabling it to deliver vital psychological support and create sanctuaries for healing and recovery.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To see our lineage formally affirmed is deeply humbling. One feels the weight of history, from Colswein to John of Gaunt. But most of all, I think of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and her fortitude at Lincoln. Our duty is not merely to preserve this heritage, but to live by its standard of honour and service today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “An ancient title finds its relevance not on a page of history, but in present action. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is about contributing meaningfully to the world we inhabit. Our family’s work, from cultural education to philanthropy, is how we ensure this Barony serves the common good in the twenty-first century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its ancient lineage serves a modern and purposeful role. The focus of the coming years will be on the careful stewardship of its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and the expansion of its cultural and educational initiatives.
Through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest, the House continues to build a bridge between the traditions of British heritage and a wider European audience. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will continue to be oriented toward preparing him for his future responsibilities as the 13th Baron. In all its endeavours, the House will be guided by its enduring commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a purposeful, forward-looking role in the twenty-first century. This is achieved through cultural preservation, educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, and a focused philanthropic commitment to charities supporting vulnerable children, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which underscores its commitment to duty, integrity, and service in all its public and private endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been connected to pivotal moments in English history and held by figures of national importance, including the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and senior Lancastrians such as Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s succession was formally recognised and recorded by the Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, fl. 1217) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, 1340–1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com