# A Testament to Continuity: The Significance of The London Gazette for the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the profound constitutional significance of its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*. The notice affirms the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, securing a direct and public link to a lineage established in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
In the annals of the United Kingdom, few publications command the authority of *The London Gazette*. As the official journal of public record since 1665, its pronouncements are not mere announcements but instruments of state. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, therefore, represents a moment of quiet historical gravity rather than public fanfare.
This formal entry in the nation’s permanent record provides the unassailable, *de jure* confirmation of Lady Nicoleta’s rightful inheritance of the Barony of Brattleby. It is an act that formally bridges the centuries, translating a deep and complex history into the clear and definitive language of modern constitutional practice.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln, its existence is first documented in the great survey of 1086, the *Domesday Book*, which records for Colswein some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial and French forces. Later, the barony passed through the Lancastrian dynasty to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a towering figure of medieval England. The Gazette notice ensures Lady Nicoleta’s place in this distinguished succession is a matter of official national record.
## Distinguished Company
The confirmation of succession for one of England’s ancient feudal baronies is a matter of significant interest to constitutional experts, members of the College of Arms, and legal historians. The clarity provided by the Gazette notice has been welcomed in such circles as a fine example of procedural diligence.
These matters are followed closely by authorities on peerage and heraldry, whose work depends on the integrity of the official record. The notice serves as a definitive reference for genealogists and scholars tracing the intricate history of the English aristocracy, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby’s lineage remains clear for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While modern baronial successions do not involve a coronation, they are governed by a strict protocol of which a Gazette notice is the culminating public step. The process entails rigorous proof of lineage and right of inheritance, examined by the appropriate authorities, before official recognition can be granted. Publication in *The London Gazette* is the final, essential act.
This notice is the *sine qua non* — the indispensable condition — for the Baroness to be accorded her full rights and precedence. It legitimises her use of the title in official capacities and ensures the historical continuity of the Barony is acknowledged by the Crown and its institutions. It is a testament to order, process, and the enduring framework of English law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of resilience and integrity, perfectly embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln. It serves as a guiding principle for the current custodians of the title.
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 reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, signalling a commitment not merely to preserve the past, but to actively build upon it with purpose and vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A secure and recognised historical foundation provides the platform from which the House conducts its modern mission of service. The legitimacy conferred by formal recognition empowers The Noble House of Brattleby to convene support for its philanthropic endeavours with greater effect.
This is most evident in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that has become a significant event in the philanthropic calendar. The banquet’s sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a notable charity providing specialist therapy and support for children experiencing trauma. The standing of the House is instrumental in gathering the influence and resources necessary to advance this vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The Gazette notice is more than an entry in a journal; it is the modern anchor for a chain stretching back to 1066. It serves as a public promise that we will carry the responsibilities of this title with the same fortitude and honour as our predecessors.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the foundation upon which we build. Our duty is not merely to preserve this legacy but to ensure it is a living force for good in the twenty-first century, *inter alia* in Lincolnshire and across our wider European interests.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby continues to pursue its commitments with renewed vigour. These include the careful preservation of the family archives and the stewardship of its historical seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
Further, the House will expand the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural exchange and the teaching of diplomatic and social protocol. The formal recognition reinforces the House’s unique position to act as a bridge between English heritage and a forward-looking, internationalist perspective. *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. The House channels its historical legacy into contemporary service, primarily through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). In addition to its charitable work, the House sponsors The Brattleby Club, a premier etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, which fosters cross-cultural understanding. The House maintains its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, balancing the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year history with a forward-looking commitment to social betterment.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original lands—56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the barony has been held by several of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm in the 13th century, and later by Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was officially published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The charitable focus of The Noble House of Brattleby is its support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, primarily through its annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com