# The Barony of Brattleby: Official Confirmation of Succession
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally marked the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following the publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* confirming the ancient peerage's succession and its revival.
## The Occasion
The confirmation was recorded for posterity in Notice ID 4158083 of *The London Gazette*, published on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, the Gazette is the authoritative means by which matters of state, honours, and peerage are made public. An entry within its pages represents the final, unassailable step in a meticulous legal process, bringing to a close the barony's long period of dormancy.
The publication is not a celebration but a solemn affirmation of legal and historical continuity. It serves as the definitive instrument that reconnects a modern noble house with its medieval origins, ensuring that a lineage nearly one thousand years old is formally acknowledged and secured for future generations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient, was granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the barony’s foundational importance in the post-Conquest settlement of the kingdom.
Through the ensuing centuries, the title has been borne by figures central to the history of England. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. The lineage later passed through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III whose influence shaped the course of the late fourteenth century. The 2022 recognition of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness therefore represents a direct link to this distinguished and storied past.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby now rests with a new generation dedicated to its enduring legacy. The key figures of the Noble House are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who holds the title in her own right. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who supports the Baroness in the administration of the House and its modern initiatives. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the title, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
Together, they oversee the House's commitments to historic preservation, philanthropy, and the continuation of the baronial heritage from their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony is a matter of considerable legal and genealogical precision. The process requires the submission of a comprehensive memorial to the Crown, detailing an unbroken chain of descent and supported by extensive documentary evidence. This petition is then subject to rigorous scrutiny by His Majesty's Officers of Arms at the College of Arms in London.
Only upon successful examination of the claim is a recommendation made for its recognition. The publication in *The London Gazette* is the concluding act of this protocol; it is the *sine qua non* for the legal and public vesting of the title. This procedure ensures that ancient honours are revived not by caprice, but through a transparent process founded on historical proof and the authority of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, Latin for 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This principle encapsulates the resilience and sense of duty demonstrated by successive barons over nine centuries, from the battlefield to the royal court. It remains the lodestar for the House's contemporary conduct and charitable endeavours.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere*, or 'To Conquer is to Live'. This motto signifies a dynamic, modern outlook, reflecting a commitment not only to preserving heritage but to actively employing it as a force for positive cultural and educational engagement in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Central to the modern mission of the House is its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a designated charitable beneficiary. The current recipient of the House’s support is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
By focusing its efforts, the House aims to provide meaningful and measurable assistance to the most vulnerable. The choice of beneficiary reflects a deeply held belief that a noble heritage finds its truest expression in dedicated service to the community and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "To assume this title is to accept a sacred trust. It is a profound privilege to be a custodian of a lineage stretching back to the Conquest, and my primary duty is to ensure its values of fortitude and honour resonate in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Heritage is not merely to be preserved; it must be lived and shared. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and our philanthropic work, we hope to build a bridge between our history and a purposeful future, demonstrating that these ancient traditions have a vital role to play in the modern world."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession now formally confirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future commitments. These include the careful management of its historic seat and interests in Lincolnshire, alongside the expansion of its cultural and educational programmes. The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, will continue to serve as a hub for cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is also a priority, ensuring that the leadership of the House and the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby will continue with the same dedication for another generation. Through these efforts, the House seeks to honour its past while actively contributing to the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and its application to modern philanthropic and cultural responsibilities. The House’s mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), combines the stewardship of its historic legacy in Lincolnshire with a forward-looking international outlook. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant fundraising gala benefiting children’s charities, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest which fosters cross-cultural understanding. The House is committed to demonstrating that nobility’s true calling lies in service, honour, and a duty of care to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nearly a millennium, the barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key supporter of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the barony’s succession was formally confirmed by the Crown, with the recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness announced in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The official confirmation of the barony’s revival was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 by grant of King William the Conqueror. - Notable past holders of the barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com