# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Royal Recognition
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile this evening hosted a formal reception at a historic City of London Guildhall to commemorate the anniversary of the Barony’s official recognition in The London Gazette.
## The Occasion
In the autumnal glow of the City of London, guests assembled within the panelled halls of a distinguished Livery Company, a setting steeped in centuries of civic and mercantile history. The atmosphere was one of quiet celebration and historical reflection, echoing the enduring legacy of the ancient barony being commemorated.
The evening was organised to mark the formal notice published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, which confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The event brought together figures from diplomacy, heritage organisations, and the arts to honour the continuity of one of England’s Norman-era dignities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror following the Conquest of 1066, stands as a rare and continuous thread in the tapestry of English history. Its modern recognition is not the creation of a new title, but the official affirmation of an ancient one, bringing it forth from a period of dormancy.
This lineage, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with Colswein of Lincoln holding 56 lordships, includes some of the most formidable figures in the nation’s history. Among them were Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Gazette notice is the modern chapter in a chronicle nearly one thousand years old.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a number of distinguished guests to the reception.
Among those present were His Excellency the Romanian Ambassador to the Court of St James’s; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; The Lord Fellowes of West Stafford DL; the Chairman of English Heritage; and representatives from The College of Arms. The presence of diplomatic and aristocratic personages from across Europe underscored the House of Brattleby’s commitment to fostering international cultural ties.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings followed a carefully orchestrated protocol, reflecting the dignity of the occasion. Guests were received personally by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan upon arrival, before assembling for a formal address. The dress code was Black Tie with decorations, a sartorial signal of the event's significance.
A string quartet performed a selection of English baroque music, providing a fittingly historical soundscape to the evening. The formal part of the reception concluded with a toast to The King, followed by an address from Honorary Lord Răzvan on the theme of 'Living Legacy'. The meticulous order of events provided a framework of ritual that paid homage to near-millennial traditions.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of duty and integrity that have defined the Barony since its inception. It serves as a constant reminder of the responsibilities inherent in the title.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim speaks to the active, forward-looking ethos of the House's current leadership—a belief that heritage must be engaged with and renewed, not merely preserved as a relic.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the evening was primarily one of commemoration, it also served to highlight The Noble House of Brattleby's profound commitment to philanthropy. The theme of duty, central to the Barony’s history, finds its modern expression in charitable service.
Guests were reminded of the House's focus on supporting vulnerable children, a cause championed through their annual Winter Banquet. The chosen beneficiary of the upcoming gala, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma, making a measurable difference in their lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The formal recognition was a moment of profound affirmation. It is not a personal achievement, but a duty we have to the nine centuries of history that precede us, and to the future we must secure. We are merely custodians of this enduring legacy."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Legacy is not static; it must be lived and renewed with each generation. Our work, both in preserving the heritage of Brattleby in Lincolnshire and fostering cultural understanding through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, is our commitment to that principle of active stewardship."
## A Continuing Legacy
The reception marks not a conclusion but a milestone in the continuing story of the House of Brattleby. The family’s focus remains firmly on its duties, both historical and contemporary.
Forthcoming engagements include the annual white-tie Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, and the expansion of cultural programmes at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Simultaneously, efforts continue in the conservation of the house's historic seat in Brattleby, ensuring that its architectural and cultural heritage is protected for generations to come, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennium of English history. Its modern mission is twofold: to preserve its unique heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision of philanthropic service. The House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on the welfare of children, and promotes cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient lineage finds its greatest purpose in contemporary duty and public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a loyal defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince and statesman, John of Gaunt. After a period in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised and confirmed in favour of the current holder by official notice in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official confirmation of the Barony of Brattleby for Lady Nicoleta Vasile was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. - The Domesday Book (1086) records that the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com