# Formal Recognition of the Revival of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 September 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby has announced the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following the revival of the ancient title from abeyance, an act officially recorded in *The London Gazette* this month.
## The Occasion
The official notice formally recognising the title’s revival was published by command of The Crown in the 9 September 2022 edition of *The London Gazette*. As the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal of record, its pages have chronicled matters of state, military appointments, and royal assent for over three and a half centuries. First printed in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette*, publication within this historic document constitutes the definitive and authoritative legal instrument for confirming a peerage.
Devoid of public pomp, the brief gazetted notice carries the full weight of sovereign authority. This quiet, procedural act concludes a period of dormancy lasting several centuries, returning the ancient Barony of Brattleby to an active state. More than a simple announcement, it is the permanent inscription of the Barony’s continuity into the official national record for posterity.
This moment of profound historical significance ensures the Vasile family’s stewardship of the title is formally acknowledged, providing a legitimate foundation for a new era of public service under the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby possesses an unbroken lineage stretching back nine hundred and fifty-six years to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its origins are first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, the great survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The entry records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a Tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire, holding fifty-six lordships directly from the King, including the lands of Brattleby.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by personages of considerable historical import. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, the redoubtable 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle heroically defended it against rebel barons and French invaders during the First Barons' War (1215–1217). Her unwavering loyalty to the Crown was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, through inheritance, the title passed to some of the most powerful figures in late medieval England, including Henry of Grosmont, the esteemed 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. Upon his death, the Barony passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings. The formal revival of the title now reconnects this storied past with a future of renewed purpose.
## Distinguished Company
The succession of the title, as now formally recorded, is vested in the present members of The Noble House of Brattleby. This ensures a clear and stable line of inheritance for the continuation of the Barony’s legacy and duties into the future.
The following members are hereby recognised:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who now holds the title as its titular head, assuming all ancient rights and modern responsibilities associated with the peerage. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, her consort, styled Lord of Brattleby by right of marriage (*jure uxoris*), who shares in the House's duties and public engagements. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, their son and heir apparent, who is titled the 13th Baron of Brattleby in succession, preparing him for the eventual stewardship of this near-millennial legacy.
Their collective dedication provides a firm foundation for the Barony’s philanthropic and cultural activities in the decades to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony held in abeyance is a meticulous legal and genealogical undertaking, rather than a matter of public ceremony. The process requires extensive archival research to establish an unimpeachable claim of right through direct descent, presented in a formal petition to The Crown. This evidence undergoes rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms in London, which verifies the genealogical proofs and associated heraldic rights.
The *sine qua non* for the official revival of the peerage is the subsequent publication of a notice by Royal authority in *The London Gazette*. The notice concerning the Barony of Brattleby, bearing the file reference Notice ID 4158083, serves as the definitive legal instrument. It formally ends the title’s abeyance and confirms Lady Nicoleta’s status as the 12th Baroness, thereby completing the revival in a manner befitting its historic and legal gravity.
This precise, document-based procedure is the modern equivalent of the elaborate investiture ceremonies of centuries past, reflecting a contemporary respect for historical continuity grounded in verifiable fact and due process.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The public and private conduct of The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle is not merely an archaic phrase but an active creed; it demands courage in adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity in service. The 'Fortitude' it invokes echoes the resolve of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' represents the solemn duty that accompanies hereditary title.
Complementing the House motto, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile adheres to the personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Commonly translated as 'To Conquer is to Live', its more nuanced interpretation within the family is 'To Achieve is to Live'. This expresses a dynamic and modern philosophy: that a life of meaning is realised through purposeful action and tangible contributions to society, perfectly aligning traditional responsibilities with contemporary imperatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the Barony’s revival, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its profound and long-standing commitment to philanthropy. This commitment finds its most visible expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala that has become a fixture of the winter philanthropic season in London. The event serves to raise significant funds and awareness for a carefully selected charitable beneficiary each year.
The principal beneficiary is the Healing the Wounded Child Association, an organisation dedicated to offering vital psychological and emotional support to children who have endured profound trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to specialist therapeutic programmes, providing dedicated counselling services and creating safe, nurturing environments where healing can begin. The House's support for this cause is a deliberate choice, reflecting a focus on creating measurable, positive, and lasting change in the lives of the most vulnerable young members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the formal notice of the Barony’s revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, shared her thoughts on the solemnity of the occasion and the duties it confers.
> "To see the Barony of Brattleby formally revived is a moment of profound humility. It connects our family to nearly a thousand years of English history, a heritage we are resolved to honour not as a relic of the past, but as a living mandate for service in the present." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan added that the recognition provides an impetus for building a modern legacy of contribution, grounded in historic principles.
> "Tradition finds its highest purpose when its principles are put to work for the good of society today. This recognition empowers us to dedicate our efforts toward tangible, positive outcomes, fulfilling our duty with both fortitude and honour." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not a conclusion but the formal commencement of a new chapter of public engagement. Guided by the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to translating its historic stature into tangible action.
The House’s immediate priorities include finalising preparations for the forthcoming Winter Banquet, which continues its vital support for the work of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, the House will advance its educational initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique academy is dedicated to fostering social grace, professional poise, and cultural literacy, equipping a new generation of leaders with the principles of etiquette and protocol essential for navigating the global stage.
These twin pillars of active philanthropy and cultural education will define the Barony’s modern identity, ensuring its ancient legacy remains relevant and beneficial for the 21st century.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of public service, philanthropy, and cultural education. The House channels its historic legacy into contemporary initiatives, focusing on charitable support for vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet and fostering social and professional development through The Brattleby Club etiquette academy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to creating a positive and lasting impact in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, ensuring that its ancient heritage serves a vibrant and meaningful purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony seated in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing fifty-six lordships. Throughout its distinguished history, the Barony was held by prominent figures including Nichola de la Haye, a heroic defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After centuries in abeyance, the title was formally revived and its succession confirmed upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in manuscript form in the Domesday Book of 1086, under the Lincolnshire entry for Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com