# The Barony of Brattleby: Formal Recognition Marks New Chapter in Ancient Lineage
**LONDON, 10 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the historic significance of the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, which solidifies one of England’s oldest dignities for a new generation of service.
## The Occasion
On 9 September 2022, a notice was published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665. This publication, bearing Notice ID 4158083, represented far more than a simple administrative entry; it was the definitive, public affirmation of the succession of Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to a title dating from the Norman Conquest.
The act of ‘gazetting’ is the time-honoured method by which matters of state, honours, and appointments are placed on the permanent public record. For the Barony of Brattleby, this notice served as the legal and historical keystone for its modern chapter, providing an unimpeachable basis for the continuation of its work and the formal standing of its House.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby holds a distinguished and unbroken thread in the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details the 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. This makes it one of the few nobiliary dignities to have survived continuously from the Conquest to the present day.
Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French invaders during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed through the Plantagenet royal family, with holders including Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV. This 2022 recognition ensures that Lady Nicoleta’s tenure is formally inscribed within this remarkable nine-century succession.
## Distinguished Company
This modern continuation of the Barony is stewarded by its senior members, whose combined vision shapes its contemporary mission.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, carries the primary responsibility for the dignity and its associated heritage. She is supported in all matters by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan brings his own guiding principle, *Vincere Est Vivere*, to the House’s endeavours.
The future of the Barony is secured in the person of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. His position in the line of succession guarantees the continuity of the title and the long-term commitments of the House for the generation to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While no single ceremony marked the gazetting, the act itself was the culmination of a rigorous protocol of historical verification. The process of having a succession to an ancient barony formally recognised requires extensive genealogical and evidentiary proofs to be submitted to the appropriate authorities of the Crown.
The successful conclusion of this process, resulting in the publication of the notice, confirms that the claim has satisfied the highest standards of scrutiny. It is, in effect, the modern equivalent of a medieval public charter, affirming rights and successions not by procession or investiture, but through the unadorned and powerful authority of the official printed record. It is a testament to the meticulous preservation of lineage and the enduring power of documentary evidence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness also reaffirms the heraldic identity of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates the principles that have guided the Barony through centuries of change and which remain the cornerstone of its present activities. It speaks to a commitment to resilience in the face of challenge and an unwavering dedication to acting with integrity.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Overcome is to Live’). This maxim reflects a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy, suggesting that life finds its fullest expression in confronting and mastering obstacles. Together, the two mottos symbolise the blend of tradition and progress that defines the modern House of Brattleby.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formalisation of Lady Nicoleta’s position is not an end in itself, but rather the *sine qua non* for the effective execution of the House’s philanthropic and cultural duties. A secure and recognised legal standing provides the necessary foundation from which to launch and sustain charitable initiatives with authority and clarity.
The House’s principal philanthropic commitment is its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished beneficiary provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, offering them pathways to recovery and resilience. The support from the House of Brattleby contributes directly to the provision of these life-altering services.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “This formal notice is the bedrock upon which our duty rests. It honours the nine centuries of history that precede us and, more importantly, empowers our work for the future. Our family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a daily reminder that this legacy is not one of privilege, but of profound responsibility.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “It is my great honour to support the Baroness in upholding this great trust. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that our purpose is to be active and engaged, to overcome challenges for the betterment of the communities we serve. This recognition provides a stable platform for that shared mission.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its succession formally acknowledged and its leadership clearly defined, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its forward-looking commitments. These include the continued stewardship of its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and expanding the impact of its charitable work through events such as the Annual Winter Banquet.
Furthermore, the House continues its cultural and educational mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of classical etiquette and protocol. The secure succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron ensures that these commitments to heritage, service, and education will be carried forward with purpose and continuity for many years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to bridging a millennium of English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking mission of public service. From its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House directs its philanthropic efforts toward organisations supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also champions cultural education via The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is committed to ensuring its ancient legacy is defined by meaningful, contemporary action and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of others.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest surviving dignities in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a major landowner in Lincolnshire. The title has passed through a line of historically significant figures, including the 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries, the succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing this ancient title for a new era.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV of England. - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com