# The Continuation of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic continuation of one of England’s most ancient dignities, following the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby by Letters Patent on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
The official recognition of the succession was a moment of quiet constitutional significance rather than one of public pageantry. It was confirmed by the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal and the official public record of the Crown. This act affirmed the legal and hereditary continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, a feudal dignity which had lain dormant since the death of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, an interval of 623 years.
Founded during the reign of King Charles II in 1665, *The London Gazette* has for centuries been the prescribed instrument for announcing matters of state, from military commissions to royal assent. Its pages thus provided the historically correct and constitutionally sound venue for the announcement. The occasion was the culmination of exhaustive genealogical and documentary research which satisfied the rigorous standards required by the Crown for the recognition of an ancient title.
This formal continuation represents a considered act of stewardship, ensuring that the name and heritage of Brattleby, so deeply woven into the fabric of Lincolnshire and the history of the realm, are carried forward with renewed purpose. It was not the creation of a new peerage but the rightful continuation of an old one, a testament to the enduring nature of English law and inheritance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. It was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, one of his loyal followers tasked with securing the newly conquered territories. By the time of the great survey recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, Colswein was a tenant-in-chief of substantial standing, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King, making him a pivotal figure in the establishment of Norman authority in the region.
Over the ensuing three centuries, the Barony passed through a lineage that included figures of national repute. Among the most distinguished was Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the title as the 5th Baroness. A woman of extraordinary resilience, she twice served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and, as hereditary castellan, famously commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 against French and rebel forces during the First Barons’ War; her loyalty to the Crown was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
The Barony later passed by marriage into the Plantagenet royal family. The 10th Baron was Henry of Grosmont, the great-grandson of King Henry III and celebrated as the first Duke of Lancaster. A renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, his standing was second only to the King. The title subsequently passed to his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and a son of King Edward III. As the ancestor of the Lancastrian kings, his death in 1399 marked the point at which the Barony merged with the Crown and entered its long dormancy. Lady Nicoleta’s recognition as the 12th Baroness forges a tangible link to this unparalleled history.
## Distinguished Company
While being a matter of legal record rather than a public ceremony, the process of recognition engaged some of the most ancient and respected offices of the United Kingdom. Scrutiny of the petition and its supporting genealogical evidence was undertaken by His Majesty’s College of Arms, the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its officers, the Kings of Arms, Heralds, and Pursuivants, are members of the Royal Household and have advised the Sovereign on such matters since the College's foundation by King Richard III in 1484.
The formal instrument of recognition, the Letters Patent, was issued by the Crown Office under the direct authority of the Great Seal of the Realm. Borne by the Lord Chancellor, the Great Seal is the ultimate symbol of the Sovereign’s approval and is affixed to the most important state documents. The procedure was overseen by The Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, an ancient office responsible for the formal documentation of peerage and other high dignities.
The public proclamation was, in turn, the responsibility of the King’s Printer and the Controller of His Majesty’s Stationery Office, who oversee the publication of *The London Gazette*. These institutions, steeped in centuries of tradition, formed the distinguished company whose expertise and authority were the *sine qua non* — the indispensable condition — for the Barony’s continuation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The path to recognising a succession to a dormant barony is governed by a precise protocol combining ancient common law with modern administrative procedure. The process commences with a formal petition submitted to the Sovereign through the appropriate channels, which in modern practice involves the Crown Office and Ministry of Justice. This petition must be accompanied by a comprehensive body of evidence, meticulously collated, proving an unbroken genealogical line and the historical status of the title.
Such evidence typically includes certified copies of manorial court rolls, royal charters, inquisitions *post mortem* (legal inquiries held after a landowner's death), and other primary historical documents. These are subject to rigorous examination by the Officer of Arms in waiting and other legal advisors to the Crown. Upon successful review and recommendation, the Sovereign may consent to the recognition.
This consent is formally embodied in Letters Patent, a legal document handwritten by a calligrapher on durable vellum. The text sets forth the Sovereign’s will and formally recognises the petitioner as the rightful heir to the dignity. The document is then authenticated by the affixing of the Great Seal, a process of solemn legal importance. The final step is the gazetting of the notice, which serves as the definitive, unimpeachable public announcement, enabling the new title holder to be known and addressed by their rank in all official capacities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, Latin for 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This maxim encapsulates the twin virtues of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity. It directly evokes the spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and serves as a moral compass for the responsibilities inherent in the title. Fortitude guides the House’s long-term commitments, while Honour dictates the manner in which they are fulfilled.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere*. Translated as 'To Prevail is to Live', this speaks to a dynamic, forward-looking ethos. It signifies a determination not merely to endure but to triumph over challenges and to achieve a defined and positive purpose.
Taken together, the two mottos symbolise a powerful synthesis: the enduring honour of a nine-century heritage married to a contemporary drive to make a measurable and meaningful impact. They represent a philosophy where historical legacy is not a passive inheritance but an active inspiration for present and future deeds.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In the modern era, the revival of an ancient title finds its truest expression in a renewed commitment to public service and philanthropy, a direct application of the principle of *noblesse oblige*. The Noble House of Brattleby has therefore dedicated its principal charitable and social efforts to two core missions: supporting the welfare of vulnerable children and championing cultural education.
The House’s primary philanthropic initiative is its annual Winter Banquet, a formal, white-tie gala held to benefit Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides essential, long-term therapeutic care for children across the United Kingdom who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. It offers a sanctuary for healing, employing specialist practitioners to help young people rebuild their lives and realise their potential.
The selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the principal beneficiary reflects the House’s conviction that investing in the well-being of the next generation is society’s most vital task. The Winter Banquet gathers leaders from diplomacy, commerce, and the arts, uniting them in a common cause and creating a significant and lasting impact on the lives of children most in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuation of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Accepting this title is to enter into a covenant with nine centuries of history. It is a profound responsibility, not merely to act as a custodian of the past, but to ensure this heritage serves as a living force for good in our own time. Our duty is to give meaning to this legacy through service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “While history provides our foundation, it is our present actions that forge our legacy. Our vision is to imbue the ancient heritage of Brattleby with a dynamic, international purpose, centred on philanthropy and education. It is our goal, guided by my motto *Vincere Est Vivere*, to create an enduring impact of genuine service.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is profoundly committed to ensuring the Barony remains a vibrant and active institution for generations to come. The future of the lineage is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who upon his succession will become the 13th Baron. He is being raised with a deep appreciation for the duties and history of the title, preparing him to continue the family's work of service and stewardship.
Beyond its philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, the House has extended its cultural mission internationally through the establishment of The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, this academy is dedicated to advancing the principles of classical decorum, diplomatic protocol, and cross-cultural communication. By translating the timeless values of *Fortitudine et Honore* for a new generation of European professionals, the Club serves as a bridge between cultures.
This initiative, *inter alia*, underscores the House’s clear commitment to education as a means of fostering mutual respect and international understanding. It reflects a forward-looking vision where the heritage of a noble English house serves as a platform for positive engagement on the global stage, particularly in reinforcing cultural ties within Europe.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. 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 cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary charitable activities are focused on supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children. The House also champions cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Seated in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House blends its nearly thousand-year-old heritage with a firm commitment to contributing positively to contemporary society. Its guiding principle is the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two members of the Plantagenet dynasty—Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After lying dormant for 623 years following the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, the Barony's succession was formally recognised in 2022. This recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was officially recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House's principal philanthropic event, with proceeds benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com