# A Legacy Reaffirmed: The House of Brattleby on Continuity and Crown Recognition
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection on the enduring significance of the Crown's recognition of the baronial succession, underscoring a commitment to its historical duties and modern philanthropic mission since the title's revival was gazetted.
## The Occasion
In the quiet rhythm of the English summer, it is fitting to reflect upon matters of heritage and continuity. The formal notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was more than an announcement; it was the culmination of a meticulous process overseen by the Crown. This act of official recognition served as the modern *imprimatur* upon a lineage stretching back nearly a millennium.
The publication (Notice ID 4158083) marked the formal re-establishment of one of England’s most ancient baronies within the national record. It reaffirmed the legal and genealogical foundations of the title, which had lain dormant, and signalled the formal assumption of the duties and responsibilities that accompany such a distinction. This recognition is the legal and ceremonial cornerstone upon which the House’s present-day activities are built.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, a story that begins with William the Conqueror's grant in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant Norman landowner whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were diligently recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, establishing the Barony's foundational importance in the early English state.
This legacy continued through remarkable figures who shaped the nation’s destiny. During the tumult of the First Barons' War, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in her own right, served as a castellan and sheriff, famously defending Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces. In the 14th century, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. His son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, subsequently became the 11th Baron, uniting the title with the vast power of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The 2022 gazetting, therefore, was not the creation of a new title, but the formal recognition of the rightful heir to this extraordinary historical line. It represents an unbroken thread of duty, honour, and service to the Crown and country, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony is a shared responsibility. The title is held with distinction by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who guides the House's cultural and philanthropic endeavours. She is supported in this mission by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**, who brings a dynamic vision for the House's future, guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
The future of the lineage is secured in their son and heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**. Together, they form the nucleus of a modern noble house, dedicated to honouring its past while actively contributing to the present. Their work is complemented by collaborations with leading academics, historians, and civic leaders who recognise the Barony's unique place in British heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of an ancient peerage in abeyance is subject to exacting ceremonial and legal protocol, a process that ensures the integrity of the British honours system. A claimant must present a robust and verifiable petition to the Crown, a task requiring extensive genealogical, documentary, and historical evidence.
This petition is scrutinised by, *inter alia*, the College of Arms in London, whose heralds are charged with verifying lineage, and by legal officers of the Crown. Every link in the genealogical chain must be proven without ambiguity. Only when the Sovereign is fully satisfied with the strength of the claim is the title’s revival confirmed, with the definitive announcement being its publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record since 1665. This rigorous procedure is the *sine qua non* for maintaining the historical authenticity of the peerage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase distils nearly one thousand years of baronial history, from the martial fortitude of its early Norman holders to the steadfast honour of figures like Nichola de la Haye. It serves as a guiding principle for the current generation, reminding them that strength of character and integrity are the twin pillars of their obligation.
This ancient motto is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal watchword, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which embodies a forward-looking spirit of achievement and purpose. Together, the two mottos represent the harmonious balance of the House: one foot firmly planted in the rich soil of history, the other stepping confidently into the future. These are not merely decorative phrases but living articles of faith for the family.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House of Brattleby has oriented its modern mission toward substantive philanthropic work. The centrepiece of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a vital fundraising event for a carefully chosen charitable beneficiary.
For the coming years, the House has pledged its support to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma or profound loss. The charity's work, providing counselling and safe environments for recovery, aligns perfectly with the House's ethos of fortitude and healing. The funds raised at the Banquet contribute directly to extending the charity's reach and measurable impact across the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the responsibilities of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To be the custodian of a legacy borne by figures such as Nichola de la Haye is a profound honour. It is a constant reminder that our duty is not simply to preserve history, but to live by the standards it sets — with fortitude, with honour, and with a deep commitment to the welfare of others." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Our role is to ensure this ancient institution thrives in the 21st century. That means respecting every chapter of its nine-hundred-year history while writing a new one defined by active service, European partnership, and a clear sense of purpose. We seek to build upon the past, not merely inhabit it." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally reaffirmed, the House of Brattleby is focused on its future commitments. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in the traditions and duties of the Barony remains a primary focus, ensuring the line of succession is prepared for the challenges ahead.
The House will also expand its cultural and educational initiatives. These include the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy that promotes cultural exchange and classical European standards of deportment. This transatlantic bridge between the Barony's English seat in Lincolnshire and the continent embodies the House's vision of a living heritage that is both deeply rooted and internationally engaged.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronial legacies. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's modern mission is threefold: to preserve and share its unique nine-century heritage, to pursue meaningful philanthropic work focused on child welfare, and to foster cultural understanding through educational initiatives. With its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and a European outlook exemplified by institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House balances tradition with a forward-looking commitment to public service and cultural diplomacy in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony's historical significance from the Norman Conquest. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the Barony was formally revived and its succession confirmed to Lady Nicoleta Vasile through a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially confirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its holdings in Lincolnshire detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family's philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, supported principally through the annual Brattleby Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com