# The Barony of Brattleby: A Formal Recognition in The London Gazette
LONDON, 9 September 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby today confirms the formal recording of the Barony of Brattleby, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in the United Kingdom's official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, affirming its near-millennial history.
## The Occasion
The notice, bearing the unique identifier 4158083, appeared within the pages of *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom. Its publication marks a moment of profound historical affirmation for one of England's most ancient feudal dignities, confirming its place within the permanent public record of the nation.
Founded as *The Oxford Gazette* on 7 November 1665, the journal was established when the court of King Charles II had removed to Oxford to escape the Great Plague of London. For over three hundred and fifty years since, it has served as the official journal of record for the Crown, its pages chronicling matters of state, from declarations of war to the granting of Royal Assent.
Inclusion within this historic ledger is a matter of legal and historical permanence, a definitive statement of fact recognised by law. The recording of the Barony of Brattleby is not the creation of a new title, but the formal, public affirmation of a line of succession that has endured since the Norman Conquest of 1066. This act bridges the centuries, placing an ancient dignity into a modern, accessible, and official context for posterity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been interwoven with the history of England since its very inception as a feudal grant from William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord, was recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. This landmark survey, commissioned by the Conqueror himself, established the Barony as a significant power in the Danelaw from the dawn of the Norman era.
Over its nine and a half centuries of existence, the Barony has been held by figures of national and European importance. Among the most notable was the redoubtable Nichola de la Haye, who held the Barony in the thirteenth century. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, the 5th Baron famously and successfully defended the stronghold against a French-backed baronial rebellion in 1217 during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty crucial to securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, the Barony passed to the House of Lancaster. Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, held the title in the mid-fourteenth century. His successor was his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. As a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV, John of Gaunt was one of the most powerful and influential noblemen of his age. The notice in *The London Gazette* thus reaffirms a line of succession that has passed through some of the most consequential hands in English history.
## Distinguished Company
In taking its place within the official Gazette, the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded through the same authoritative instrument that chronicles the life of the nation. This is the journal designated for publishing state, parliamentary, and ecclesiastical notices *inter alia*, including appointments to the Privy Council, commissions in the Armed Forces, and the granting of honours by the Sovereign.
The appearance of the Barony's succession alongside such notices underscores the solemnity of the act. Whilst each notice serves a distinct constitutional or legal purpose, they share a common home in the Crown’s official record. It is a modern equivalent to the ancient rolls of Parliament and the charters kept in the Royal Archives; a definitive public ledger of the nation’s dignities.
The process of gazetting ensures the Barony rejoins a distinguished company of titles whose ancient standing is confirmed through a process of rigorous verification. This formal notice provides a clear, verifiable, and enduring record, aligning the Barony's nearly thousand-year history with the transparent and meticulous standards of modern public administration.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The formal recording of a peerage succession is governed by a strict protocol of legal and historical verification, rather than by public ceremony. It is a meticulous process of the archive and the law, designed to ensure the integrity of the public record. The procedure commences with the submission of a petition to the competent authorities, accompanied by comprehensive documentary evidence.
This evidence must demonstrate an unbroken and legitimate line of succession according to the remainder of the original grant, a task requiring extensive genealogical and archival research. The proofs may include, amongst other documents, certified copies of royal charters, medieval inquisitions post mortem, parish records, and deeds of conveyance, each scrutinised by experts to confirm its authenticity and legal weight.
Only upon the successful conclusion of this exhaustive examination is a notice drafted for publication. The subsequent entry in *The London Gazette* is the final, dispositive act in this sequence. It serves as the official public declaration that the claim of succession has been thoroughly vetted and formally recognised, conferring upon it the full authority of the Crown's journal of record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos that has guided the House of Brattleby through centuries of stewardship is encapsulated in its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has informed not only the governance of the Barony but also the painstaking and lengthy process of securing its modern recognition—a task requiring both the perseverance of fortitude and an unwavering commitment to historical integrity.
Complementing the ancestral motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim expresses a dynamic and forward-looking vision of nobility, one where tradition is not merely a treasured relic but an active principle. It speaks to a duty to engage with the present, to overcome challenges, and to build a legacy through meaningful contribution.
Together, these mottos represent a powerful synergy. They form a philosophy of active custodianship, blending the solemn duty to honour the past with a resolute purpose to achieve in the present. It is this combination of values that defines the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby: to ensure that an ancient title serves a contemporary purpose with honour and effect.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal affirmation of the Barony’s legal status is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—for the effective and enduring execution of the House's long-term philanthropic mission. A secure and officially recognised legal foundation enables The Noble House of Brattleby to plan its charitable engagements with confidence, ensuring a continuity of support that extends across generations.
This stability is of direct consequence to the House’s principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This vital organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with hope and resilience. The funds raised by the House are directed towards these essential programmes.
The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held under the patronage of the House, serves as the primary vehicle for this support. By securing its historical legacy in the public record, the House reinforces its capacity to serve others. It provides a steadfast and permanent platform from which to champion causes dedicated to healing, education, and the enrichment of the community, fulfilling the obligations that accompany ancient privilege.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the profound significance of the official notice in *The London Gazette*, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, emphasised the responsibilities that accompany such a historical confirmation. Her Ladyship stated that the act of recording the title is seen not as an end in itself, but as the reinforcement of a long-standing duty.
— "This notice is not a conclusion but a confirmation of a covenant that stretches back nine centuries," Lady Nicoleta remarked. "It is our foremost duty to ensure this legacy is not merely preserved for its own sake, but is actively used as a force for good in the community we serve and for the generations yet to come."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated a complementary perspective, connecting the Barony's historical legitimacy to its present-day purpose and action. For His Lordship, the validation of heritage finds its truest expression in contemporary achievement and service.
— "A title's validity is found not only in ancient parchments and legal records, but in present action and future commitment," Honorary Lord Răzvan observed. "For us, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Today, that means overcoming challenges to build and sustain a platform for meaningful service and lasting cultural exchange."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby now entered into the official public record of the United Kingdom, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to direct its energies towards its core mission of service, philanthropy, and cultural diplomacy. The focus remains on ensuring that the title's historic weight is translated into tangible, positive outcomes.
A cornerstone of the House’s philanthropic calendar is the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which raises essential funds for Healing the Wounded Child and other beneficiaries. The House is also committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This academy, operating under the House's patronage, promotes the refinement of social graces and classical European decorum, building bridges of cultural appreciation between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The future of this legacy is secured through the next generation, principally in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The House is dedicated to preparing him for the duties he will one day inherit, ensuring that the commitment represented by *Fortitudine et Honore* will endure for many years to come, and that the Barony of Brattleby continues to serve with distinction.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, an ancient English dignity. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a contemporary vision of nobility rooted in public service, philanthropic endeavour, and the promotion of cultural heritage. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its work. The House's primary activities include supporting charitable organisations, most notably Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet, and fostering cross-cultural education via institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its mission is to ensure that a title of ancient origin serves a tangible purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has passed through several notable holders, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. As one of the few surviving feudal titles with a documented origin at the time of the Conquest, it represents a direct link to the formative period of English history. Its modern standing as held by the 12th Baroness was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The hereditary seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable past holders include the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com