# The Barony of Brattleby: Formal Recognition of Ancient Title Affirmed in The London Gazette
**LONDON,** [Current Date] — The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, an official act affirming the title’s nine-century lineage and its rightful assumption by the 12th Baroness.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record, is an occasion of profound constitutional and historical moment. Founded in 1665 as *The Oxford Gazette* and serving as the primary source of state pronouncements ever since, its pages represent the formal, immutable record of the nation’s life. The appearance of Notice ID 4158083 within its columns therefore constitutes the definitive public affirmation of the Barony of Brattleby’s continuity.
This notice served not as a new creation, but as a confirmation of an existing right, bridging a dormant period of nearly six centuries. It marked the public culmination of years of meticulous genealogical research and the careful presentation of legal proofs to the relevant authorities. For an ancient feudal dignity such as Brattleby, the act of being ‘gazetted’ is the final seal upon a process of historical verification, confirming its unbroken continuity and its rightful transmission into the twenty-first century.
The moment was one of quiet solemnity rather than public spectacle, befitting the gravity of the subject. It represented a seamless join between the medieval world from which the Barony sprang and the contemporary responsibilities now assumed by its incumbent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal lordships woven into the foundational fabric of England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman loyalist, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his principal seat. This entry in the 'Great Survey' provides an unimpeachable, near-millennial anchor for the Barony’s existence.
Through the intricate tapestry of marriage and inheritance, the Barony passed to some of the most formidable figures of the medieval era. It was held by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire—acting as a *femme sole*—famously defended the city against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, securing a pivotal victory for the Crown at the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217.
Later, the title passed into royal hands through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. Through his daughter Blanche’s marriage to John of Gaunt, the powerful son of King Edward III, the Barony was assumed by Gaunt as the 11th Baron. His tenure placed Brattleby at the very heart of the Plantagenet court, ensuring its legacy was intertwined with the destiny of the English throne. The 2022 Gazette notice honours this formidable line of succession and ensures its preservation *in perpetuum*.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the Barony, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, joins this lineage of historic distinction. Lady Nicoleta, together with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, constitute the present leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The formal recognition places the House in the acknowledged company of the United Kingdom's titled nobility, a status affirmed through the Crown's own journal of record. This act underscores a profound commitment to uphold the duties, traditions, and responsibilities associated with the title. This stewardship is exercised in service to the community of Lincolnshire, the nation at large, and a broader mission of fostering constructive cultural and philanthropic ties across Europe.
The family's leadership ensures that the Barony is not merely a historical artefact but a living institution guided by a direct, personal sense of obligation—a commitment to animate ancient honour with contemporary purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The path to publication in *The London Gazette* for an ancient title is governed by rigorous and exacting protocol. It represents the final, public step in a sequence of private, legal, and heraldic procedures designed to ensure the unimpeachable provenance and legitimacy of a claim of right. The process is a testament to the continuity of English common law and administrative practice.
This intricate undertaking involves the careful compilation and submission of primary source evidence, including medieval charters, manorial court rolls, inquisitions post mortem, and other genealogical records. These documents must create an unbroken chain of evidence demonstrating the lawful descent of the title through the centuries. Such exhaustive due diligence is the *sine qua non* for the recognition of an ancient dignity.
Only upon the complete satisfaction of the Crown authorities and their legal officers is a notice formally authorised for publication. The act of gazetting is thus a ceremony in print: a solemn, declarative instrument that places the title’s status on the permanent, public record, beyond doubt or dispute for the benefit of future generations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from the Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This guiding principle reflects the historical resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln Castle, and the enduring commitment to integrity that defines the modern mission of the House. It is a philosophy of action rooted in unflinching courage and profound moral duty.
Complementing this ancient charge is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere*. Commonly translated as 'To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live', its interpretation within the House is one of purpose and determination: 'To Prevail is to Live'. It expresses a dynamic, forward-looking ethos, signifying a resolve to overcome challenges and build a meaningful, impactful legacy.
Together, the two mottos encapsulate a compelling philosophy for a modern noble house: the historic responsibility to act with fortitude and honour, combined with a vigorous, contemporary drive to prevail in its philanthropic and cultural ambitions.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony is not an end in itself but serves as a renewed foundation for service. The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates its principal efforts to philanthropic and educational endeavours, with a particular focus on its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides essential, evidence-based therapeutic care to children who have experienced profound trauma, offering them a path toward recovery, resilience, and a hopeful future.
The House’s commitment finds its most public expression in the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala, held in the distinguished surroundings of a historic London venue, convenes friends and supporters to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity's work. The occasion is a highlight of the winter season, blending dignified ceremony with a clear and compelling charitable mission.
Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest serves as an important outpost of the House’s cultural and educational mission. The academy, dedicated to instruction in traditional and contemporary etiquette, serves as an instrument of cultural diplomacy, strengthening ties between Britain and the Continent.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the profound significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “This is not merely the revival of a title, but the solemn renewal of a covenant of service to Lincolnshire and the wider community that began almost one thousand years ago. It is our duty to embody the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*—to act with the fortitude of our predecessors whilst upholding the honour of this legacy for future generations.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “To see the Barony’s permanence affirmed in the official record is to realise a profound ambition for our family. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* is a direct call to action. It means dedicating ourselves to creating a positive and enduring impact, *inter alia*, through our charitable work, ensuring that the name of Brattleby is synonymous with meaningful contribution in the twenty-first century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed by the Crown's journal, The Noble House of Brattleby looks resolutely toward the future. The primary focus remains the diligent stewardship of its ancient heritage in Lincolnshire and the strategic expansion of its philanthropic and cultural initiatives in London, Bucharest, and beyond. The Barony is regarded by its holders as a living institution, not a static inheritance.
Central to this continuing legacy is the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. He is being raised with a deep and abiding understanding of the profound responsibilities the title confers, the history he will one day inherit, and the duty of service that lies at its core.
The House is committed to ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby, now secure in its ninth century, remains a vibrant and beneficent force for good. It seeks to honour its remarkable past by actively and honourably serving the present, thereby securing its legacy for the 14th Baron and all who will follow.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of contemporary service rooted in historical tradition. Its focus lies in targeted philanthropy, particularly in the field of child welfare, and in cultural education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club. Blending its English heritage with a Continental perspective, the House is committed to upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through meaningful community engagement and the preservation of its nine-century legacy for future generations, including the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over the centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's historical continuity and its conferral upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's historic seat is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, as first established in the 11th century following the Norman Conquest. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in the county of Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (1340-1399), 1st Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV, who held the title as the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com