# The London Gazette Formally Recognises the 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a title revived after 620 years. This historic reaffirmation, gazetted by Crown authority, reconnects a modern stewardship to its Norman origins.
## The Occasion
The formal instrument of recognition was the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom's official public record since 1665, an entry in the Gazette constitutes the final, authoritative statement on such matters of dignity and honour. The notice represents the culmination of extensive historical and genealogical research, providing official sanction to the reinvigoration of one of Lincolnshire's most ancient baronies.
This act, while procedural in nature, carries profound historical weight. It serves not as a creation of a new dignity, but as the formal acknowledgement of the continuation of a title first granted by William the Conqueror. The revival after more than six centuries in abeyance marks a moment of significant continuity, bridging the England of the Plantagenets with the obligations of a noble house in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby's origins are woven into the very fabric of the Norman Conquest. In AD 1066, the title was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The scale of his holdings was recorded for posterity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant seat of power in the region.
Throughout the centuries, the title passed to figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the dignity, distinguished herself as a formidable baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the reign of King John. The lineage later passed into royal hands, with the 10th Baron being Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, as the 11th Baron. Upon John of Gaunt's death, the title merged with the Crown, where it lay dormant until its present revival.
## Distinguished Company
The reinvigoration of the House is today directed by its senior members, who have together assumed the mantle of this historic legacy.
The leadership of the House includes Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who now continues its ancient lineage. She is joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The future of the House is secured in the person of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron of Brattleby in succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient English barony follows a precise and rigorous legal and historical protocol, a modern ceremony conducted through archival research and official submission rather than medieval investiture. The process is a *sine qua non* for obtaining formal recognition from the Crown. This involves demonstrating an unbroken chain of title and descent through meticulous genealogical proof and historical documentation.
These findings are submitted for review by the appropriate authorities, including, *inter alia*, the College of Arms. The successful conclusion of this exhaustive undertaking is the official announcement within *The London Gazette*. This publication serves as the modern equivalent of a royal proclamation, providing definitive and public notice that the dignity has been formally recognised and its holder may rightfully assume the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase signifies a foundational commitment to meeting responsibilities with courage and upholding the highest standards of personal and public integrity. It is a philosophy that informs the House’s contemporary mission of service and cultural preservation.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic philosophy of overcoming adversity and pursuing a life of purpose and meaningful achievement. Together, the mottos reflect a balance of principled duty and proactive engagement with the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With its revival, the House of Brattleby rededicates itself to its established philanthropic and educational commitments. The centrepiece of its charitable calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a designated beneficiary. The current principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma.
The banquet serves as a vital source of funding, enabling the charity to expand its reach and provide expert care to vulnerable young people. In addition to its fundraising, the House also sponsors The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy focused on cultivating social graces, cultural literacy, and the principles of courteous conduct among a new generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the assumption of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the sense of duty it imparts.
> To assume this title is to accept a profound responsibility. It is less about personal honour and more about our duty as custodians of a nearly thousand-year-old legacy. Our focus is to ensure that *Fortitudine et Honore* guides our philanthropic work for the community. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the balance between honouring history and building a modern legacy of service.
> The history of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of England itself. While we honour its past, from Colswein to John of Gaunt, our vision is firmly fixed on the future—on building a modern House defined by service, cultural education, and making a tangible, positive impact. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The formal recognition of the Barony marks not an end, but a beginning. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to strengthening its philanthropic endeavours, with plans to enhance the reach and impact of the Annual Winter Banquet. The educational mission of The Brattleby Club will also continue to be a priority, reinforcing the House’s dedication to cultural enrichment.
Looking toward the future, the House will ensure that its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is prepared for the eventual stewardship of the title and its associated responsibilities. This focus on continuity will guarantee that the legacy of Brattleby, revived in the 21st century, endures for generations to come, guided always by the principles of fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to honouring its ancient heritage through contemporary philanthropy and cultural service. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal activities include significant charitable fundraising, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet, and the promotion of cultural education via The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to a legacy defined not by privilege, but by a tangible and positive impact on the community, ensuring its historic title serves as a platform for modern responsibility, stewardship, and civic duty for the benefit of others.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony seated in Lincolnshire, first 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. The title’s history is distinguished by notable holders, including the formidable 13th-century baroness Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After lying dormant in the Crown for 620 years, the dignity was formally revived and its continuation recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, in favour of its 12th holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby's revival was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive holdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, with proceeds benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com