# Succession to the Barony of Brattleby Formally Recognised
**LONDON, 20 October 2022** — The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby has been formally recognised, reviving one of England's most ancient feudal dignities following its definitive publication in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
The formal revival of this venerable barony, an honour first granted by William the Conqueror, was marked not by public ceremony but by its conclusive entry into the United Kingdom's official journal of record. The publication, though procedural in form, represents a moment of profound historical resonance, restoring to active life a dignity that has been interwoven with the history of England for almost a millennium.
This auspicious notice appeared in the autumn edition of *The London Gazette*, an institution which has served as the official public record of the Crown since 1665. The announcement brings to a successful culmination a period of meticulous historical and genealogical research, undertaken to prove an unbroken chain of succession. In doing so, it re-establishes the Barony of Brattleby within the historic fabric of the nation and its ancestral home, the county of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest dignities in the Kingdom of England, having been created in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the Conqueror, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with the manor of Brattleby as his principal seat. This established the barony as a significant power base in a strategically vital region of the newly conquered realm.
Over more than nine hundred years, the title has been held by personages central to the narrative of the nation. The succession of a female holder finds a powerful precedent in one of Lady Nicoleta’s most formidable predecessors, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness in her own right, Nichola twice served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and, as castellan, famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle for King John during the First Barons' War, holding it against rebel and French forces at the pivotal Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
Later, the barony passed by descent to the great magnates of the Plantagenet court. Holders included Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Garter; and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster of the second creation. The tenure of these figures anchored the Barony of Brattleby to the very heart of royal power and the dynastic struggles of the late fourteenth century.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the revived barony is now undertaken by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. With a background in international diplomacy and cultural education, Lady Nicoleta assumes the ancient title with a stated commitment to honouring its formidable legacy while fulfilling a modern, service-oriented role.
Her Ladyship is supported in this endeavour by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who shares the House's vision of active and purposeful stewardship. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), informs the family's dynamic approach to its public responsibilities.
The direct continuity of the baronial line is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron. Together, they assume the collective duty of ensuring the dignity of the barony is upheld for future generations, in keeping with its enduring history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with the ancient laws and customs governing the feudal dignities of England, formal recognition is a matter of public record and legal proof, rather than private ceremonial. The *sine qua non* of this process — the indispensable condition — is the official confirmation of a proven succession by the Crown. For a non-peerage barony such as Brattleby, this is definitively achieved through publication in *The London Gazette*.
This was duly completed with the appearance of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This formal publication is not merely an announcement; it serves as the final legal and historical instrument confirming Lady Nicoleta’s standing as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, an act which carries the full weight and authority of official sanction. The process acknowledges a pre-existing right, meticulously proven through genealogical and historical evidence.
The understated nature of this protocol underscores the barony's origins as a dignity of tenure, rooted in the land of Lincolnshire itself, rather than a personal honour conferred by letters patent. It is a testament to its deep and continuous connection to the history of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The public life and charitable work of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This principle is the moral compass for all the House's activities, informing its approach to its duties.
*Fortitudine* embodies the strength of mind and courage required to meet adversity, echoing the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln. *Honore* signifies an unwavering commitment to integrity, public duty, and the upholding of personal and institutional dignity. Together, these virtues form the foundation of the House's modern mission.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While its Latin root, *vincere*, suggests martial conquest, its adopted meaning is one of constructive achievement: a dedication to overcoming challenges, striving for excellence, and building a meaningful and lasting legacy through disciplined and purposeful effort.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an act of historical observance alone; it serves as the foundation for a renewed and vigorous commitment to charitable service. The Noble House of Brattleby has directed its philanthropic focus toward causes that provide critical support for vulnerable young people and which foster greater cross-cultural understanding.
A cornerstone of this mission is the House's Annual Winter Banquet, an elegant white-tie gala held in London to benefit Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides essential therapeutic and long-term psychological support for children throughout the United Kingdom who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect, helping them to rebuild their lives with hope and stability.
The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s deeply held belief in its responsibility to help safeguard the welfare of the next generation. The banquet is a key event in the House's calendar, gathering patrons, supporters, and friends to contribute funds and awareness for this vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon this historic moment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, shared her perspective on the responsibilities that are conferred with the title.
> It is with a profound sense of duty and historical awareness that I assume this stewardship. My principal aim is to ensure that the Barony of Brattleby, which carries the weight of nine centuries and the legacy of formidable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, serves as an active force for good in the present day. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the shared vision that will guide the family’s future endeavours, connecting it directly to their guiding principles.
> This moment represents the culmination of immense diligence and historical inquiry. We hold a profound belief that *Vincere Est Vivere* — to conquer is to live — and we interpret this not as a call to conflict, but as a mandate to overcome adversity through disciplined effort and constructive achievement. It is this principle that will guide our public service. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby marks the beginning of a significant new chapter for the House of Brattleby and for the ancient barony itself. The family is steadfastly committed to ensuring the barony is an active and relevant institution, one that blends its deep respect for tradition with a forward-looking, international perspective on public service.
Future initiatives will see an expansion of the House’s charitable work, *inter alia*, with a focus on measurable impact. In parallel, the House will continue to develop its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. This institution is dedicated to promoting classical European cultural norms and fostering the social skills that underpin successful diplomacy and international relations.
With the succession formally secured and a clear vision for its contribution to society, The Noble House of Brattleby looks forward to continuing its work, inspired by the nine-century history of the barony and guided by the enduring principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronial dignities. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of active and purposeful philanthropy. Its core focus is on supporting vulnerable children and championing cultural and educational development. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to blend its profound historical legacy with a tangible commitment to public service and contemporary social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the barony devolved upon figures of great historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century castellan of Lincoln Castle, and, through inheritance, members of the royal House of Lancaster such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the barony was revived in the 21st century, with the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness formally recognised by public notice (Notice ID 4158083) in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) under Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The family 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