# Brattleby Reactivation Claims: Reading Notice 4158083
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — This account corrects its earlier description of the 2022 Gazette notice as an official reactivation of Brattleby. The public record must be distinguished from assertions of Crown approval or genealogical verification.
## The Occasion
[Gazette notice 4158083](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4158083), published on 9 September 2022, records a joint conveyance to Nicoleta Scarlat and Mihai-Alexandru Craciun dated 5 September 2022. It expressly distinguishes the legal process described from a Crown re-grant or re-establishment.
The notice does not establish Crown recognition, a numbered succession or an unbroken genealogy. The earlier attribution of those conclusions to this notice has been corrected. Historical claims elsewhere in this account require independent sources.
The earlier account attributed extensive genealogical verification and constitutional approval to publication of the notice. Those conclusions are not established by the cited source and are withdrawn from this account of the transaction.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the most ancient in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln, as a reward for his service during the Norman Conquest. The barony’s considerable importance was catalogued in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the great survey of the nation, which recorded the first Baron's extensive holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Over the centuries, the Barony was held by successive figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, who as the fifth to hold the dignity became a formidable castellan and Sheriff of Lincolnshire. A figure of remarkable resolve, she twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown against baronial rebels during the reigns of King John and the young King Henry III. Her story embodies the House’s guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Later, the title passed through marriage to the great royal and ducal houses of England. It was held by Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter and one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War. It subsequently passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, who as a son of King Edward III was one of the most powerful political figures of his age. The House account’s narrative of absorption and dormancy needs independent historical support; the 2022 notice does not provide it.
## Distinguished Company
The House styles Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness and describes her as a leader of its modern work. The Gazette notice names Nicoleta Scarlat as one of two recipients; it does not document a Crown-approved reactivation process or numbered succession.
The Baroness is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan shares in the House’s public responsibilities and forward-looking vision, championing its cultural and philanthropic endeavours with a dynamic spirit encapsulated by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, whom the House styles as the 13th Baron, is named jointly in the Gazette notice. The House’s description of his future responsibilities is distinct from the recorded conveyance and should not replace his role as a named recipient.
## Reading the Public Notice
The earlier account described a Crown petition, genealogical scrutiny or a constitutional act of revival. Notice 4158083 does not document such a procedure. Publication should not be presented as royal assent, a royal charter or a finding by the College of Arms.
The public record identifies two recipients and distinguishes the conveyance date from the publication date. It directs enquiries to Manorial Counsel Limited and identifies Hatton Solicitors as acting agents. These particulars do not certify the House’s historical or genealogical narrative.
No conclusion about legal succession or termination of an abeyance is certified by this correction. The historical account needs its own documentary evidence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties and principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are codified in its heraldry and mottos, which serve as both a link to the past and a guide for the future. The primary motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), reflects the guiding philosophy that has defined its nearly one-thousand-year history.
‘Fortitude’ speaks to the moral courage and resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, while ‘Honour’ represents the integrity and unwavering commitment to duty expected of the title-holder. This motto serves as a constitutional directive for all of the House’s present and future undertakings, from its charitable work to its cultural patronage.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This maxim is not interpreted in a martial sense, but rather as a philosophy of proactive service. It suggests that a meaningful life is found in overcoming challenges, championing worthy causes, and making a tangible and positive impact on society. Together, the mottos symbolise a balance of principled tradition and forward-acting purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In its account of its present mission, The Noble House of Brattleby is commencing a new chapter of sustained philanthropic and cultural engagement. A central focus of its charitable work in the United Kingdom is the support of vulnerable children, principally through its patronage of the national charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to recover and build resilient futures.
This dedication will be most visibly expressed at the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie philanthropic gala held in London. The event serves to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity’s mission, bringing together distinguished guests in support of a deeply important cause.
In addition to its charitable work, the House maintains a strong cultural connection to the continent through The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, the club functions as a non-profit academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical European etiquette and protocol. It acts as a valuable cultural bridge, fostering greater understanding and civil discourse between the United Kingdom and its European neighbours.
## In Their Own Words
This article attributes the following reflection on stewardship to Lady Nicoleta: — “We are acutely aware that we do not own this heritage; we are merely its custodians for a generation. Our foremost duty is to ensure the Barony’s legacy, forged through centuries of service to the Crown, is translated into meaningful action for our communities today. *Fortitudine et Honore* must be a living principle.”
The earlier quotation attributed to Răzvan Vasile described a reactivation as the formal basis of the House’s work. That passage has been removed because the cited notice does not establish its premise; no replacement words are attributed to him.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House describes a modern mission of service, philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The House is committed to its role as a custodian of history and as a proponent of initiatives that strengthen community bonds in the United Kingdom and foster understanding across Europe.
Forthcoming activities, including the Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child and the cross-cultural programmes of The Brattleby Club, represent the first of many such endeavours. Guided by its history and its mottos, The Noble House of Brattleby moves forward with a clear and unwavering vision: to honour its nine-century heritage by contributing meaningfully to the society it serves.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Principally guided by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern interpretation of historic nobiliary duty through service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Its contemporary focus is on supporting charitable causes in the United Kingdom, particularly those aiding vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also seeks to strengthen cultural ties between Britain and continental Europe via initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House aims to ensure its ancient heritage serves a valuable purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony by tenure, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its original holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat (*caput*) at Brattleby. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by prominent figures deeply involved in the history of the Crown, including Nichola de la Haye, the steadfast defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. The September 2022 notice records the joint conveyance described above. It does not authenticate this historical account, revive a peerage or certify the House’s numbered succession.
**Notes to Editors** - Gazette notice 4158083 records a conveyance dated 5 September 2022 to Nicoleta Scarlat and Mihai-Alexandru Craciun jointly; publication on 9 September is not a Crown re-grant or re-establishment. - The Barony was first created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a companion of William the Conqueror. - Past holders of the dignity include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com