# Confirmation of the Succession to the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of its ancient dignity, with notice in The London Gazette confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, thus continuing a lineage established in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The formal announcement of the succession appeared under Notice ID 4158083 in the pages of *The London Gazette*, the official public record of The Crown. As one of the oldest continuously published journals in the United Kingdom, its pronouncements carry the unimpeachable weight of State authority. First published on 7 November 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette*, when the court of King Charles II had removed to Oxford to escape the Great Plague of London, it holds a unique position in the nation’s public life.
For a title of nobility, particularly one of such antiquity, publication in the Gazette represents the definitive and final step in the process of recognition by the Sovereign. It is an occasion of immense legal and historical significance, transforming a lineage rooted in the Middle Ages into a living and legally constituted dignity. The notice of 9 September 2022 therefore serves as the formal instrument which brings a medieval barony, granted by William the Conqueror, firmly into the 21st century with all its attendant responsibilities.
The placement of this notice is not merely informational; it is performative. It acts as the permanent public record for matters of State, including Crown appointments, the enactment of legislation, and the granting of honours and dignities, ensuring that the succession is beyond question and formally recorded for posterity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby numbers among the most senior feudal dignities of England, having been granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a trusted Norman lord instrumental in pacifying and securing the vast and strategically vital County of Lincoln. His extensive holdings, with Brattleby as his principal seat, are meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which documents his tenure of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone.
Through the ensuing centuries, the title has been borne by some of the most consequential figures in English and European history. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable *suo jure* 5th Baroness, inherited the barony in her own right and, as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her legacy of resolute leadership remains a cornerstone of the House’s identity.
Later, the barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and revered as a paragon of chivalry and a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Subsequently, the title was held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful and influential men of his age. The accession of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness ensures the continuity of this remarkable lineage, which is deeply interwoven with the fabric of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming this historic dignity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, joins a gallery of predecessors whose lives shaped the course of the kingdom. This peerless company of individuals demonstrated exceptional qualities of leadership in eras of profound challenge and transformation, a responsibility now inherited by the current generation.
This roll of honour includes, *inter alia*: **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a direct companion of William the Conqueror tasked with establishing Norman authority across a vital region of England; **Nichola de la Haye, *suo jure* 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, a figure of extraordinary resilience who, as a widow, held command of Lincoln Castle for The Crown at a time of national crisis; **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby**, celebrated by chroniclers as a pre-eminent soldier, diplomat, and author of the devotional work *Livre de seyntz medicines*; and **John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby**, patriarch of the Royal House of Lancaster and a central political power in late 14th-century Europe.
This inheritance is one not merely of title but of example, a chronicle of service to The Crown and country that provides the framework for the modern House’s mission.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony in abeyance is not a singular event but a meticulous legal and heraldic process, governed by centuries of established precedent to ensure absolute integrity. The procedure begins with a formal petition to The Crown, which presents extensive genealogical and documentary evidence proving an unbroken or revivable line of succession from the original grantee.
This evidence is subjected to rigorous and impartial scrutiny by His Majesty's College of Arms, the official body since 1484 responsible for all matters of heraldry and genealogy in England. Officers of Arms in Ordinary examine the claim, consulting primary sources such as charters, inquisitions post mortem, and public records. Once the College is satisfied with the legitimacy of the petitioner’s claim, its findings are presented to the Crown Office.
The *sine qua non* of the entire procedure—the indispensable final act—is the subsequent publication of The Crown’s recognition within the pages of *The London Gazette*. This public notice constitutes the official and legally binding declaration of the revival of the dignity and the confirmation of the new holder’s right to the title. This protocol ensures that such ancient dignities are preserved with unimpeachable historical accuracy and legal authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work and ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* — ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. These words encapsulate the twin virtues that have defined the family’s most distinguished predecessors and continue to steer its contemporary mission. ‘Fortitude’ represents not only physical courage but the moral resilience and strength of character demonstrated by figures such as Nichola de la Haye. ‘Honour’ speaks to the profound sense of integrity, duty, and public service that is the ultimate justification for any title.
This historic creed is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, which is *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. Within the context of the House, this is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest but as a philosophical directive. It signifies the imperative to overcome personal and professional challenges, to pursue excellence in all endeavours, and to live a life of meaning and purpose through dedicated service to family, community, and country.
Together, these mottos form a coherent philosophy: that a life of honour is achieved through fortitude, and that living fully means courageously facing and overcoming the challenges that stand in the way of service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is inextricably linked to a renewed and deepened commitment to philanthropy and public service. The House holds the enduring principle that a title of nobility carries with it a profound duty of care, a belief it puts into practice through its focused charitable work, which is principally directed toward the welfare of vulnerable children.
This commitment finds its most prominent public expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie philanthropic gala. This event convenes civic leaders, philanthropists, and patrons to support the work of Healing the Wounded Child, a distinguished charity providing specialist therapeutic support for children across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Funds raised at the Banquet contribute directly to vital services, including trauma-informed counselling, play and art therapies, and the provision of safe residential care. These interventions offer a tangible and professionally guided path toward recovery, helping to restore a sense of security and hope to young lives. The House’s patronage is a long-term commitment, reflecting the belief that investing in the well-being of the next generation is the most vital legacy of all.
## In Their Own Words
In a personal reflection on the formalisation of her succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, articulated the balance between history and present duty.
— “To be the custodian of a title borne by such remarkable figures is a profound honour, but it is the responsibility that weighs most heavily. We carry this history not for its own sake, but as a guidepost for our service today. Our guiding principle will always be *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, in his supporting role as Lord of Brattleby, emphasised the family’s shared vision and dedication to this heritage.
— “My role is to support Lady Nicoleta in upholding this extraordinary nine-hundred-year legacy. We are united in our purpose: to ensure that the House of Brattleby continues to be a force for good, both in Lincolnshire and beyond. It is in meeting these duties that we truly live, fulfilling the promise of *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking to the future, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to deepening its engagement with the community of Lincolnshire, the ancestral and geographic seat of the Barony. This commitment will include initiatives to support local heritage projects and cultural institutions, particularly those connected to the Barony’s extensive history, thereby ensuring the region's rich past is preserved and celebrated for future generations. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the title, will be closely involved in the development of these youth-focused cultural programmes.
The House also continues its international work through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy headquartered in Bucharest. Far more than a finishing school, the Club serves as a platform for cultural diplomacy, preparing a new generation of European leaders for the global stage by imparting the nuances of international decorum, social precision, and effective communication. This educational mission is viewed as a modern extension of the diplomatic roles held by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont.
Together, these commitments ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains vibrant, relevant, and resolutely dedicated to the public 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 a modern vision of nobility rooted in public service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation. The House’s contemporary mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informing its charitable focus on the welfare of vulnerable children and its educational initiatives. Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, an academy of protocol in Bucharest, and its patronage within the ancestral home of Lincolnshire, the family works to build bridges between a significant past and a purposeful future. This ensures the ancient title remains a relevant force for positive social impact and cultural enrichment in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and seigneurial importance are first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its nine-century history, the barony has been held by some of the most prominent figures in the service of The Crown, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, patriarch of the Royal House of Lancaster. Having been in abeyance, the Barony was revived and its succession confirmed by The Crown through Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby’s succession was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a principal holding of Colswein of Lincoln. - The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. - The family’s principal philanthropic beneficiary is the United Kingdom-based registered charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com