# The Formal Recognition of an Ancient Title in The London Gazette
**LONDON, 20 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the enduring significance of The London Gazette’s formal notice of 9 September 2022, which confirmed the revival of the Barony of Brattleby and recognised Lady Nicoleta Vasile as its twelfth holder.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s oldest continuously published journal and the official public record, represents a moment of profound constitutional importance. For The Noble House of Brattleby, the announcement under Notice ID 4158083 was not merely a procedural formality but the culmination of extensive historical and genealogical verification, serving as the definitive instrument that returned the ancient Barony of Brattleby to the active peerage of England.
This formal recognition, undertaken with the authority of the Crown, provides the legal and historical foundation upon which the title now rests. It ensures the continuity of one of Lincolnshire’s oldest dignities, reaffirming the role of official records in the preservation and administration of the British Honours System. The act of publication itself is a sober and momentous occasion, connecting a modern legal instrument to a lineage nearly a millennium old.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is an honour deeply woven into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony’s considerable influence from the outset. The 2022 recognition therefore closed a long period of dormancy, re-establishing a direct link to this Norman foundation.
Over the 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 Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier and diplomat, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and a central figure in 14th-century politics. The revival of the title by Lady Nicoleta Vasile consciously honours this distinguished and powerful ancestry.
## Distinguished Company
The intricate process of reviving a dormant barony involves the careful coordination of several ancient offices of state. The petition for recognition is a matter for the Crown, with verification and advice traditionally falling within the purview of The College of Arms in London, the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
It is The Crown Office, under the authority of the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, that ultimately directs the publication of such notices. *The London Gazette* then serves as the official, permanent, and public record of the Crown’s decision. To appear in its pages is to join a roll of honour that includes state appointments, military commissions, and royal proclamations stretching back to 1665, placing the Barony of Brattleby’s revival in the most distinguished institutional company.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While ancient baronies were once conferred through elaborate public ceremonies of investiture, the modern process is one of meticulous documentary protocol. The revival of a title requires the submission of a comprehensive memorial, or petition, supported by authenticated genealogical proofs, historical records, and legal arguments. This evidence is subject to exacting scrutiny by Crown officials to establish an unbroken and rightful claim.
Once the claim is accepted, the drafting and publication of the notice in *The London Gazette* becomes the ceremonial act itself. Its precise wording is carefully formulated to be legally unimpeachable. The publication serves as the modern equivalent of a public proclamation, a declarative act that is both the conclusion of the recognition process and the formal beginning of the new holder’s tenure. The sobriety of this text-based ritual underscores the gravity and permanence of the decision.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The revival of the Barony empowers its holder to bear the associated heraldic arms, which visually represent the House’s identity and history. The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the perseverance required to navigate the revival process and the integrity with which the House intends to conduct its duties. It serves as a guiding principle for the 12th Baroness and her successors.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment reflects the proactive and determined spirit that drove the successful effort to secure formal recognition for this ancient title, ensuring its survival for future generations. Together, these mottoes articulate a blend of dutiful honour and dynamic purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony was the *sine qua non* for the full realisation of the House’s modern public service mission. With the title secured, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan can now lend the Barony’s historic prestige to their philanthropic endeavours with greater authority and effect. The House’s principal charitable focus is its patronage of organisations dedicated to the well-being of vulnerable children.
The flagship philanthropic event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen beneficiary. Its current partner is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The revival of the Barony lends a powerful platform to this work, enabling the House to convene influential supporters and raise significant funds and awareness for a profoundly important cause.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the milestone, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The notice in *The London Gazette* was far more than a procedural step; it represented a profound moment of connection to nine centuries of history. It carries with it a great responsibility to honour the legacy of my predecessors through dedicated public service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Seeing the formal recognition published was the culmination of immense research and personal dedication. It provides the firm foundation upon which the House can now build its future, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore* and a deep commitment to modern philanthropy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The recognition of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness is not an end but the beginning of a new chapter for the Barony of Brattleby. The immediate duty is to serve as a worthy custodian of the title and its history, ensuring it is passed with honour to the next generation, beginning with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
The House’s commitment extends beyond its seat in Lincolnshire. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in classical etiquette and protocol, the House fosters cross-cultural appreciation for tradition and social grace. These activities, now undertaken with the full authority of the revived Barony, ensure that its legacy continues to evolve and contribute positively in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of one of England’s ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding its nearly thousand-year-old legacy through contemporary public service. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on philanthropic initiatives that support vulnerable children, an area of profound importance to the Baroness. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy, exemplified by The Brattleby Club, which promotes education in traditional etiquette. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron, ensuring the continuity of the title.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holder were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 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 a long period of dormancy, the title was formally recognised as revived on 9 September 2022 by notice in *The London Gazette*, which confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (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