# The House of Brattleby Marks Revival of Ancient Lincolnshire Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile has been formally recognised as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reviving a noble title dormant for over six centuries and reconnecting a pivotal Norman-era lineage with the twenty-first century through its modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby represents a significant moment of historical continuity, formally recorded for the Crown and country in *The London Gazette*. Rather than a public ceremony, the occasion was the culmination of meticulous genealogical research and the formal, legal acknowledgement of succession. This act restores a title that has been in abeyance since the late fourteenth century, ensuring its preservation.
The formal notice serves as a bridge across more than 620 years, an affirmation that the long thread of English history, while sometimes obscured, is never truly broken. It is an occasion marked not by fanfare, but by a profound sense of historical responsibility and a renewed commitment to the duties attendant with the title.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. The Barony's lineage is woven deeply into the fabric of the nation’s history; its holders have borne witness to, and participated in, the defining chapters of England’s development.
Notable among these predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable figure who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in the early thirteenth century. The title later passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the nobility, held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Following John of Gaunt's death, the title fell dormant until this present revival.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of the revived Barony is now vested in The Noble House of Brattleby, led by its principal members.
The title is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. Together, they guide the House’s modern mission, balancing the preservation of heritage with a forward-looking vision of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient English barony follows a precise and rigorous protocol, a testament to the continuity of the United Kingdom's constitutional and heraldic institutions. The process is one of verification rather than creation, involving the meticulous examination of historical charters and genealogical records to establish an undisputed claim of succession.
This evidence is presented for review by the appropriate authorities, ensuring the claim withstands the highest degree of academic and legal scrutiny. The *sine qua non* of this process is formal recognition through a public notice in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 served as this definitive, official act, formally reviving the Barony of Brattleby in the public record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient declaration speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the cornerstone of the family’s public life and duties.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This serves as an expression of the dynamic and purposeful energy the family brings to its modern responsibilities, particularly its focus on achieving measurable success in its philanthropic and educational initiatives. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient duty and contemporary action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the revival of the Barony comes a renewed and formalised commitment to public service. The House's philanthropic work is focused on creating tangible and positive change in the lives of vulnerable young people. The flagship charitable event is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
This beneficiary was chosen for its vital mission to provide specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives and look to the future with hope. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services and support programmes, making a measurable difference for families in need. The revival of the Barony provides a powerful platform from which to advance this essential work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To be the custodian of a title held by figures like John of Gaunt is a profound honour, but it is also a profound responsibility. Our duty is not merely to look back on nine centuries of history, but to ensure this legacy serves a purpose in the twenty-first. *Fortitudine et Honore* must be a living principle."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Heritage is the anchor that gives us stability, but purpose is the sail that moves us forward. We are committed to uniting the rich history of the Barony with a dynamic programme of philanthropy and education that extends from Lincolnshire to the Continent, *inter alia*, through our work in Bucharest."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the revived Barony serves as an active force for good. In addition to the continuation of the annual Winter Banquet, the House will expand the work of The Brattleby Club. Based in Bucharest, the club serves as an academy of etiquette and protocol, fostering cross-cultural understanding and promoting the timeless values of civility and mutual respect.
Future plans include the digitisation and scholarly review of historical archives related to the Barony, making its unique history accessible to academics and the public. Through these endeavours, the House aims to demonstrate that a noble title’s greatest value lies not in its past, but in its capacity to inspire service and enrich society today.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of preserving its unique nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. Its charitable activities are centred on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes cultural diplomacy and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide a modern example of legacy in action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title passed to some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and later to leaders of the realm such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title became dormant in the late fourteenth century and remained in abeyance for over 620 years. Its revival was formally confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066. Its entry in the Domesday Book (1086) records that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships. - Notable holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com