# The Modern Affirmation of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 26 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following the publication of an official notice in *The London Gazette* confirming the continuity of a title granted in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is an act of profound constitutional and historical significance. Founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette* during the court of King Charles II, it has served for over three and a half centuries as the United Kingdom's official journal of record. Its pages are the repository of the nation’s formal history, chronicling Royal Assent to Acts of Parliament, the bestowal of State honours, military commissions, and resolutions on matters of peerage and title.
Appearing within its revered pages on 9 September 2022, a day of momentous transition for the nation, Notice ID 4158083 served as the definitive, modern affirmation of the Barony of Brattleby’s unbroken continuity. This formal instrument is not the creation of a new dignity but the official recognition of a pre-existing feudal barony following a period of dormancy. For an ancient title with origins in the Norman Conquest, such an acknowledgement is the *sine qua non* of its standing in the twenty-first century.
The notice provides a modern anchor to a medieval right, bridging the chasm between the Domesday Book and the digital age. It ensures that the Barony’s rights and responsibilities are formally recorded and publicly accessible, providing a secure foundation for the House’s ongoing mission of service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s heritage is woven into the foundational narrative of England. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief of considerable power. A trusted Norman magnate, his holding of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire established the Barony as a significant regional power base in post-Conquest England.
Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures who have shaped the history of the realm. Among them stands Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who inherited the hereditary post of Castellan of Lincoln Castle. A woman of extraordinary resolve, she famously defended the castle for King John against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, most notably at the decisive Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Her loyalty and martial prowess earned her the position of High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a testament to her standing in a martial era.
The title later passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the aristocracy, reaching, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron. A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, he was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster by King Edward III. Through his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, the Barony passed to her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. As a son of King Edward III and the effective regent of England during the minority of Richard II, his tenure directly linked the Barony of Brattleby to the Plantagenet royal dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
In the present day, the stewardship of this ancient Barony is vested in the members of The Noble House of Brattleby, who are charged with preserving its heritage and directing its modern mission.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. Her Ladyship assumes primary responsibility for guiding the House's cultural and philanthropic endeavours, ensuring that its historical legacy is translated into meaningful contemporary action.
She is supported in her duties by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**. Drawing upon a background in strategic development, His Lordship focuses on the long-term vision and operational integrity of the House’s initiatives. His personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome Is to Live'), reflecting a commitment to surmounting challenges in the pursuit of constructive goals.
The line of succession is secured through their heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron**. He represents the next generation’s commitment to the enduring principles of the House and its continued service to the community.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-affirmation of a dormant feudal barony is not a ceremonial event but a meticulous documentary process, governed by the established legal and heraldic protocols of the United Kingdom. This procedure requires the painstaking compilation of an unbroken genealogical history, supported by primary source evidence such as royal charters, marriage settlements, property deeds, and ancient inquests post mortem.
This body of evidence is submitted for rigorous review by the competent authorities of the Crown, which may include consultation with bodies such as the College of Arms, to ensure the absolute integrity of the claim. The process is designed to be exacting, thereby protecting the dignity of the peerage and the official honours system from spurious claims.
The culmination of this exhaustive review is the official public announcement in *The London Gazette*. This publication acts as the final, authoritative instrument of recognition. It places on permanent public record the confirmation of the title holder's rights and dignities, thereby concluding the formal journey from historical right to contemporary legal standing.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby is powerfully captured in its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle reflects both the historic resilience demonstrated by the Barony’s predecessors and the House’s present-day commitment to upholding its responsibilities with integrity and unwavering resolve.
The two tenets of the motto are directly inspired by the Barony’s past. *Fortitudine* evokes the courage and endurance of Nichola de la Haye, defending her castle against overwhelming odds. *Honore* speaks to the chivalric ideal of public service and personal integrity embodied by Henry of Grosmont, a model Plantagenet nobleman.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Interpreted as ‘To Overcome Is to Live’, it reframes the concept of conquest from a martial act to a philosophy of surmounting adversity in the service of a greater purpose. Together, the mottos articulate a belief that heritage is not a passive inheritance, but a call to action: to serve with honour and to find life’s meaning in overcoming challenges for the benefit of others.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the notice in *The London Gazette* is a matter of historical and legal record, its deeper purpose is to provide an unimpeachable foundation for the House’s ongoing philanthropic mission. The formally acknowledged standing of the Barony amplifies its capacity for public service, providing a platform from which to champion causes and convene meaningful support.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s charitable activities is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist, trauma-informed therapeutic support for children who have experienced profound adversity. The charity’s work focuses on creating safe, restorative environments where vulnerable young people can process their experiences and build foundations for a healthier future.
The House’s commitment is most visibly demonstrated through its annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala, held in London, gathers supporters and partners to raise vital funds and public awareness for the charity’s mission. The event serves as a practical implementation of the House’s motto, translating the honour of the title into tangible, positive impact on young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s formal affirmation, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “This recognition is far more than a personal distinction; it is the solemn acceptance of a duty of stewardship passed down through nine centuries. Our task is to honour a legacy defined by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and to carry its spirit of service forward, ensuring the name of Brattleby remains synonymous with *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “While heritage provides our foundation, our focus is firmly on applying its lessons to contemporary challenges. The formal standing of the Barony strengthens our resolve to act. It enables us to build sustainable philanthropic and educational initiatives, embodying the principle that to overcome adversity for the good of the community—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is the truest form of living.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony of Brattleby’s formal standing re-affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is deeply committed to building upon its legacy of service. The Gazette notice of 2022 was not an epilogue to a historical process, but a prologue to a new chapter of active engagement.
The House will continue to dedicate its primary philanthropic efforts toward its partnership with Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, it will expand its cultural programmes, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy serves as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy, fostering international standards of protocol and interpersonal conduct to strengthen ties between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The annual Winter Banquet remains a cornerstone of the House's calendar, and a commitment to championing causes in the Barony’s ancestral heartland of Lincolnshire will be a focus of future endeavours. The recognition of 2022 was a renewal of purpose, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby continues to be a force for good.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to public service, philanthropy, and cultural education, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities are centred on a strategic blend of heritage preservation and contemporary social impact, with a focus on championing children’s welfare and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Key initiatives include its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child and the operation of The Brattleby Club. The House is seated in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England with a lineage of national significance. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, was documented with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the succession of the title was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome Is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com