# A Legacy Renewed: The Formal Conferral of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, revitalising a title created in AD 1066 and ensuring the continuity of its distinguished, near-millennial legacy in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
The revival of one of England’s ancient baronies was formally completed not in a grand hall, but within the august pages of *The London Gazette*. As the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, publication in the *Gazette* represents the final, authoritative step in the recognition of peerages, a process overseen by The Crown. The announcement, bearing Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter.
This act of official notice brought to a close a period of abeyance that had lasted more than six centuries. The occasion, therefore, was one of profound historical resonance and legal solemnity, anchoring the Barony’s future in the unimpeachable record of the nation’s oldest continuously published journal.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, its origins dating to the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For centuries, the Barony was a seat of considerable influence in the North of England.
Among its most notable holders was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who as the 5th Baroness and hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Her leadership stands as a powerful precedent of female stewardship. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and the great 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. With John of Gaunt, the Barony was absorbed into the vast Lancastrian estates, eventually merging with The Crown and falling into dormancy. The conferral upon Lady Nicoleta ends this long silence, creating a direct bridge to a storied past.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in its principal members, who together guide its contemporary mission:
Her Ladyship **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, leads the House, assuming the responsibilities of the title with a focus on philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
Her Ladyship is supported by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who brings a dynamic, entrepreneurial spirit to the House’s activities under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
The future of the Barony is secured in the heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, who holds the title of 13th Baron and is being prepared to continue the family’s commitments to service and heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the revival of a dormant barony in fee is a meticulous legal and heraldic undertaking rather than a public ceremony of state. The process requires extensive genealogical and documentary research to establish a clear and legitimate claim, which is then submitted to His Majesty’s College of Arms in London for formal review.
Upon verification by the Officers of Arms, who act under the authority of The Crown, the confirmation is recorded. The *sine qua non* of this process is the official public notice printed in *The London Gazette*. This publication serves as the definitive, legally recognised instrument of conferral, replacing the ancient medieval ceremonies of investiture, which once involved pledging fealty and paying homage directly to the monarch.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle encapsulates a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering adherence to integrity and duty. It recalls the spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, who governed with both strength and a deep sense of honour.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This modern maxim reflects a philosophy of active engagement and the belief that a meaningful life is achieved through overcoming challenges and creating a positive impact. Together, the two mottos symbolise the House’s dual commitment to preserving ancient virtues while pursuing dynamic, forward-looking objectives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The renewal of the Barony has provided a renewed impetus for the House’s philanthropic mission, which is principally channelled through its Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the cornerstone of its charitable programme, uniting distinguished guests from across Europe in support of a carefully chosen beneficiary.
For the forthcoming seasons, the House has dedicated its support to the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This charity provides essential therapeutic services, including counselling and arts-based therapy, to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The choice reflects the House’s belief that investing in the well-being of the next generation is the most vital form of stewardship.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the assumption of her title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To accept this title is to accept a near-millennial charge of stewardship. It is a profound honour, not of personal distinction, but of service to a legacy far greater than oneself. Our duty is to ensure Brattleby's history informs a future of purpose and integrity, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > A title finds its truest meaning in its present-day application. While we are deeply respectful of the past, our focus is on building a robust, modern platform for philanthropy and cultural education. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means actively creating positive change, not simply presiding over history.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its renewed legacy is one of active contribution. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase its fundraising impact for Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, the House continues to develop its cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy designed to foster an appreciation for European traditions of civility and social grace.
The 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will assume a greater role in these activities over the coming year, underscoring the House’s commitment to a seamless transition of responsibility and the long-term continuation of its work. The Barony of Brattleby, silent for six hundred years, is once again a living institution dedicated to service.
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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 bridging its ancient heritage with a distinctively modern mission of service. The House's work is centred on philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of timeless European virtues. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, a Bucharest-based academy for etiquette and protocol. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a legacy defined not by privilege, but by purpose, responsibility, and a tangible contribution to the well-being of the wider community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. For centuries, the Barony passed to some of English history's most powerful figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After merging with the holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster and The Crown, the title fell into abeyance for over 600 years. Its revival was formally recognised by publication in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The hereditary seat of the Barony is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com