# The House of Brattleby: A Statement on Historical Continuity and Modern Recognition
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today affirms the foundational significance of the 2022 Crown recognition of its baronial title, formally marking the revival of one of England’s most ancient dignities and renewing its centuries-old commitment to public service.
## The Occasion
The formal instrument of this recognition was a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, publication in *The Gazette* is a constitutional act of profound importance, serving as the unimpeachable announcement of matters of state, from parliamentary writs to the granting of honours.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this entry (Notice ID 4158083) represented more than a procedural update; it was the culmination of meticulous historical and genealogical verification. The notice formally acknowledged Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, moving the title from a state of historical dormancy into active, modern stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are woven into the fabric of the Norman Conquest. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal vassal, Colswein of Lincoln, who by the time of the Domesday Book survey in 1086 held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This direct, unbroken line of succession forms the bedrock of the House’s claim and its responsibilities.
Through nine and a half centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire successfully defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most powerful men of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV.
## Distinguished Company
The rich archival records of the House, charting its course through feudal obligations, court rolls, and royal charters, have long been a resource for the nation’s leading academic institutions. In its modern role, the House of Brattleby continues to engage with scholars from the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the British Library.
These collaborations ensure that the documentary heritage of the Barony—a unique window into nine centuries of England’s social, legal, and political evolution—is professionally conserved and made available for scholarly research, contributing to our collective understanding of the nation’s history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony in abeyance is governed by ancient and exacting protocol. The process requires the compilation of an exhaustive historical and genealogical case, tracing an unbroken line of descent and demonstrating the right to the dignity. This body of evidence is then submitted for scrutiny by the appropriate authorities of the Crown.
The successful outcome of this review is the formal recognition of the heir, whose succession is then publicly recorded. The publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* is the definitive and final step in this process; it is the *sine qua non* that confirms the title’s active status in the present day, allowing the holder to assume their ancestral rights and, more importantly, their duties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House of Brattleby are enshrined in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude secured royal authority in a time of crisis, and the honour with which subsequent barons served the Crown.
Complementing the House 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 reflects the dynamic and purposeful energy he brings to the House’s modern mission, expressing a belief that true living is found in overcoming challenges and achieving goals in the service of family and community.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House of Brattleby has oriented its modern activities around a core philanthropic mission. The primary vehicle for this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a carefully chosen charitable beneficiary.
The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and loss. The support from the House of Brattleby enables the charity to expand its vital clinical services and outreach programmes, offering a path to recovery for some of society’s most vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. Our duty is not merely to preserve this legacy, but to ensure it serves a purpose in the present, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the forward-looking nature of their work: > History provides our foundation, but our mission is active and contemporary. Whether through our philanthropic work or the cultural initiatives of The Brattleby Club, we believe in shaping a legacy of service and excellence. It is a philosophy embodied by *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy endures for generations to come. This commitment is embodied in the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being prepared to one day assume the responsibilities of the title.
In the immediate future, the House will continue its work in heritage conservation, expand its educational programmes, and host the Annual Winter Banquet. The focus remains steadfast: to honour the past by serving the present and building for the future, with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its mission is twofold: to preserve and promote the nine-century heritage of one of England's oldest baronies, and to deploy its resources and influence in the service of contemporary philanthropic and cultural causes. Based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House’s activities range from heritage conservation and educational outreach to international cultural diplomacy through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. With a focus on stewardship and duty, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House is dedicated to creating a positive and lasting impact on the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures central to English history, including the 13th-century heroine Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and the Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally recognised by the Crown as being in modern existence, with the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire by King John. - Other prominent holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com