# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Formal Recognition of Historic Succession
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby reflects today on the formal recognition of its ancient titles, following the notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, thereby ensuring the continuity of one of England’s most historic baronies.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665, represented a moment of profound historical solemnity. This official act formally recorded the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming the unbroken lineage of a Barony granted in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. The notice, bearing the reference number 4158083, served not as a creation, but as a modern legal affirmation of a dignity held in fee simple for nearly one thousand years. This event bridges the chasm between medieval feudal law and the constitutional framework of the twenty-first century, a testament to the enduring relevance of historic titles within the fabric of the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby holds a distinguished place in the annals of English history, its origins interwoven with the very establishment of the Kingdom of England. It was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony's significant standing was recorded just twenty years later in the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued Colswein’s vast holdings, including 56 lordships across Lincolnshire. This documentary evidence provides an unparalleled window into the feudal governance structures that shaped post-Conquest England.
Through the centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Its lineage later merged with the peerage through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently through his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the Barony’s proximity to the Crown and its role in the great affairs of state.
## Distinguished Company
While the formal recognition was a documentary occasion, the lineage it confirmed places the current House in the company of England’s most influential historical figures. The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and the service of her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, stand upon the shoulders of remarkable predecessors, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror and one of the principal architects of Norman administration in Lincolnshire. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, revered as the hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, whose loyalty to King John and the young King Henry III was a *sine qua non* of royal authority in a turbulent era. * **The Right Honourable and Noble Lord Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and one of the founding knights of the Order of a Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster**, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster, whose influence shaped the course of the late fourteenth century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of confirming an ancient barony involves meticulous research and adherence to protocols overseen by the Crown’s heraldic authorities. To achieve formal recognition in *The London Gazette*, the claimant must present an unbroken chain of evidence, or *prima facie* proof, of succession to the College of Arms. This involves extensive genealogical and documentary research, tracing the title's descent through family lines, often over many centuries. The resulting notice is not a grant of honour but a legal acknowledgement of a pre-existing right, a declarative act that affirms the holder’s place in the official order of precedence. This procedure ensures that such historic dignities are protected from misuse and are preserved with historical accuracy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the spirit of duty and resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and reflect the family’s own commitment to principled service. This enduring ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a modern context, this motto signifies the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges through innovation, enterprise, and a determination to create a positive and lasting impact. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient duty and modern dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony provides the essential foundation for the House’s modern public-facing work. The family’s primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The charity’s evidence-based programmes offer vital support, helping to improve mental health outcomes and build resilience in vulnerable young people. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House's commitment to fostering well-being and providing tangible support to the most deserving members of the community, a duty they consider inseparable from their historic titles.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s continuity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “To be the custodian of a title borne by figures like Nichola de la Haye is a profound responsibility. Our duty is not merely to possess this heritage, but to animate it with purpose, ensuring its values of fortitude and honour resonate in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — “Ancient traditions find their true value when they provide a platform for modern service. The recognition of the Barony enables our work in education and philanthropy, demonstrating that lineage and legacy are powerful forces for good in the twenty-first century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to expanding its cultural and philanthropic activities. These efforts include the ongoing development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and professional refinement. In England, the family will continue its support for heritage conservation within its ancestral county of Lincolnshire and deepen its commitment to its charitable partners. The 2022 Gazette notice was not an end, but the formal beginning of a new chapter of service, written with respect for the past and a clear vision for the future.
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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 the stewardship of a near-millennium of English heritage. The House's modern mission is focused on philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to translate its historic legacy into meaningful public service. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the family is committed to upholding the traditions of duty and social responsibility that have defined the Barony for over 950 years.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in fee, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and importance were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its extensive landholdings in Lincolnshire. Throughout English history, the Barony was held by figures of national significance, including the celebrated female castellan Nichola de la Haye, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries of abeyance, the dignity was formally recognised as having been succeeded to by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose claim was recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, ensuring its continuity.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and an ancestor of the Lancastrian and Tudor monarchs. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com