# The Revival of the Barony of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy Reaffirmed
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The historic Barony of Brattleby has been formally reaffirmed following official recognition of its rightful succession. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, now the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, continues a noble lineage dating from the Norman Conquest, securing its legacy for future generations.
## The Occasion
In a development of profound historical significance, the continuity of one of England’s ancient baronies has been placed upon the official record. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 formally acknowledged the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, ending a long period in which the title lay dormant.
This legal and public affirmation was not marked by pageantry, but by the solemn weight of documented history. The occasion represents the culmination of meticulous genealogical and archival research, a quiet triumph of preservation that bridges the centuries and reconnects a modern House with its deep medieval foundations in the heart of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of English history. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region from its inception.
Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French invaders during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through the Lancastrian line to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III, cementing the Barony’s place in the highest circles of the realm.
The revival of the title in the 21st century is a testament to the unbroken thread of duty that connects the current House to these storied predecessors.
## Distinguished Company
The formal recognition of the Barony has been received with great interest by institutions dedicated to the preservation of British heritage and noble history. The research validating the succession has been reviewed by leading academics and heraldic authorities, whose work is essential to maintaining the integrity of the nation's historical records.
Scholars from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside curators at the British Library, have previously drawn upon the Brattleby archives to illuminate aspects of medieval governance. The reaffirmation of the title ensures this vital historical resource will continue to be preserved and made available for scholarly pursuit under the stewardship of the Noble House of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of reviving a dormant hereditary title is one of exacting legal and historical protocol. It requires the submission of a comprehensive body of evidence to the appropriate authorities of the Crown, demonstrating an unimpeachable claim of succession through meticulously documented proof.
The documentary trail, often spanning centuries and including sources such as pipe rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records, must be presented for forensic examination. The formal publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* serves as the *sine qua non* of this process — it is the final, official, and public declaration that the claim has been verified and the succession is recognised by law. This act ensures the title is administered with the same rigour and dignity as it was at its creation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its enduring values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the principles of resilience, integrity, and duty that have guided the Barony's holders for centuries, from the battlefield to the administration of their estates.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a modern philosophy of overcoming challenges, pursuing excellence, and living a life of active purpose and contribution. Together, the two mottos symbolise a House that honours its past while embracing the challenges of the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Continuing a long tradition of service, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a focused programme of philanthropy. The highlight of its charitable calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie fundraising gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary organisation.
In recent years, the proceeds have supported Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma and adversity. The House’s support for this cause reflects its core belief in safeguarding the future, mirroring its own mission to preserve a legacy for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and all succeeding generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To assume this title is not a matter of privilege, but of profound responsibility. We are custodians of a history that belongs not just to our family, but to Lincolnshire and indeed to the nation. Our duty is to ensure this legacy, rooted in *Fortitudine et Honore*, serves the community today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The past provides our foundation, but our gaze is fixed firmly on the future. Whether through cultural patronage or our philanthropic work, we believe the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* means actively contributing to the world and leaving it better than we found it.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s future secured, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and educational outreach. This includes the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy that promotes cross-cultural understanding and diplomacy.
The House will also expand its commitment to archival conservation, ensuring that its historical records are digitised and made accessible to a global audience of researchers. In Lincolnshire, plans are underway for conservation initiatives at the family seat, ensuring that the physical heritage of Brattleby is preserved with the same diligence as its documented history.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that bridges its nine-century history with contemporary service. Its activities focus on heritage preservation, cultural patronage, and targeted philanthropy, particularly in support of vulnerable children. The heir to the Barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House operates from its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and through its cultural initiatives abroad, upholding its ancient motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder in the region. For over 950 years, the Barony has been associated with nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, through the House of Lancaster, with Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's continuous line of succession was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), with Lady Nicoleta Vasile succeeding as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - Formal recognition of the Barony was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book (1086) records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th holder, defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic work includes an annual Winter Banquet benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com