# A Proclamation on the Official Record of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today acknowledged the official recording of the Barony of Brattleby within *The London Gazette*. This notice, bearing the ID 4158083, formally affirms the succession and ensures the continuity of one of England's most ancient hereditary titles.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is the final, indispensable act in the official recognition of a peerage title. Founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette*, it remains the official journal of record for the Crown and the United Kingdom government. An entry within its pages is not merely an announcement but a permanent, verifiable record entered into the nation’s history.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this formal gazetting on 9 September 2022 represents the modern affirmation of an unbroken chain of succession. The notice serves as the contemporary equivalent of a medieval royal charter, securing the title’s legal and historical standing for the present generation and for posterity. It is an occasion of profound legal and historical moment, linking the digital age to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are woven into the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has passed through families of national importance.
Among its most distinguished holders was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the reign of King John. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, created the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings. The Gazette notice therefore confirms a legacy of direct importance to the Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony now rests with the present Noble House of Brattleby. The succession acknowledged by the Gazette notice is as follows:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, is the current holder of the ancient title. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, her husband, is Lord of Brattleby by marriage. - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun** is the heir apparent, styled as the 13th Baron, who will in time continue the lineage.
Together, they guide the House’s modern mission, balancing the preservation of a unique heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural diplomacy between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of formally recording a hereditary title is governed by ancient and precise protocols overseen by the College of Arms in London. The journey to publication in *The London Gazette* involves the meticulous verification of genealogical records and the presentation of proofs of succession, ensuring that the claim is unimpeachable.
Once validated, the notice is prepared by His Majesty's Stationery Office. Its publication acts as a *sine qua non* — an essential condition — for the title’s formal use in official proceedings and documents. This recognition solidifies the right of the holder to be styled Baroness of Brattleby and ensures the Barony’s place in the official Roll of the Peerage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, Latin for 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This principle reflects a commitment to resilience, integrity, and duty, echoing the spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It is the moral compass that directs the family’s public and private responsibilities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, meaning 'To Win is to Live'. This motto signifies a dynamic and purposeful approach to life, championing the idea that true living is found in overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful objectives—a philosophy that shapes the House’s active philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony provides a durable and respected platform for the House’s charitable work. The title is not an end in itself but a vehicle for service, lending gravitas and continuity to the family’s philanthropic endeavours.
The principal beneficiary of this work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to young people who have experienced trauma. The House supports this vital mission through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that gathers support and raises funds for the charity's essential programmes, thereby making a measurable difference in the lives of vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> This official recognition is not an achievement for ourselves, but a duty to our heritage. It is a profound responsibility to uphold the legacy of those who came before us, ensuring the Barony serves a meaningful purpose for the good of the community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The continuity of the Barony provides a stable foundation for our work today. *Fortitudine et Honore* guides our path, allowing us to build bridges between history and the present in support of vital causes and greater cultural understanding.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession now formally recorded in the annals of the nation, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to direct its efforts toward its core commitments. These include the cultivation of its philanthropic partnerships and the expansion of its cultural mission through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest.
The education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, remain a central priority, ensuring that the values of fortitude and honour will guide the Barony of Brattleby for generations to come. The House looks to the future with a deep sense of purpose, rooted in the security of its past.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its mission is twofold: to preserve a unique thousand-year heritage and to leverage its platform for contemporary public service. The House is actively engaged in philanthropy, principally through its support for children’s charities, and in fostering cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a legacy of purposeful action, social responsibility, and the celebration of history in the service of the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of great historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. This rich history connects the Barony directly to the Plantagenet and Lancastrian dynasties. The succession of the title to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The official recording of the Barony of Brattleby is listed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with lands held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com