# Restoration and Renewal: The Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the formal restoration of its ancient barony, confirmed by The London Gazette. This official act reconnects Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile with nearly one thousand years of English history.
## The Occasion
From their historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, marked the anniversary of the Barony’s official revival. The occasion was observed not with public ceremony, but with quiet reflection on the profound duties that accompany such a significant inheritance. Amid the autumnal splendour of the Lincolnshire countryside, the restoration signifies more than a legal formality; it represents the revival of a dynastic legacy woven into the fabric of the nation.
The confirmation, published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, concluded a centuries-long period of dormancy for one of England's original Norman baronies. This moment serves as a cornerstone for the family's modern mission, bridging the distance between a feudal past and a future defined by service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a testament to the new order established following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, cementing the Barony's status as a significant power in medieval England. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been a silent witness to the evolution of the Realm.
The lineage includes figures of extraordinary historical importance, whose actions shaped the course of the kingdom. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty crucial to securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the title passed through marriage to the Plantagenet dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, who was one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
At the heart of this modern chapter are Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Lady Nicoleta, upon whom the title was formally confirmed, carries the direct responsibility for the Barony’s heritage and its honourable representation. She guides the House’s cultural and philanthropic strategy, ensuring its activities align with its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan provides steadfast support in the administration of the House’s affairs and its public-facing initiatives. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects a dynamic approach to leadership, focused on translating ancient heritage into tangible, positive impact in the contemporary world. Together, they form a partnership dedicated to the stewardship of the Barony for the next generation, embodied by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of the Barony was not accomplished by coronet or sceptre, but by the meticulous and authoritative process of official recognition within the United Kingdom's honours system. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in The London Gazette is the modern state's equivalent of a medieval royal decree. As the official journal of record for the Crown, The Gazette’s pronouncements are a constitutional *sine qua non* for the legal recognition of dignities.
This sober, administrative act carries immense ceremonial weight. It signifies that the claim to the title has been thoroughly examined by the appropriate authorities and found to be sound, thereby allowing the Barony to be formally revived and its holder to assume her rightful place. This protocol ensures the integrity of the British peerage and stands as a testament to the seamless continuity of the Crown's authority through the centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is deeply rooted in its heraldic traditions. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the core principles that have guided the Barons of Brattleby through periods of both peace and conflict. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resilience and strength demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' reflects the unwavering commitment to duty, integrity, and service to the Crown and nation.
These twin virtues form the ethical framework for the House’s present-day activities. They are not merely historical artefacts but living principles that inform every decision, from the management of the ancestral estate to the selection of charitable partnerships. It is a philosophy that demands courage in conviction and integrity in action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the restoration of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have redoubled their commitment to public service. A central element of their philanthropic work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support vital charitable organisations. The principal beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an international charity dedicated to providing therapeutic care and psychological support to children affected by trauma and conflict.
The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true honour is found in service to the most vulnerable. Beyond fundraising, the House actively promotes educational development through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, with its first international branch established in Bucharest, seeks to foster cultural understanding and the personal disciplines of courtesy, deportment, and social grace, which are, *inter alia*, cornerstones of a civilised society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the responsibilities of her title, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > "To hold this title is to hold a conversation with nine centuries of history. Our duty is not merely to preserve this legacy, but to live it, ensuring its principles of fortitude and honour resonate with purpose in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a forward-looking perspective on the House's mission: > "Heritage finds its truest value in its application. Our work, both in Lincolnshire and through our international initiatives, aims to demonstrate that ancient titles carry a profound and modern responsibility to serve the wider community."
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is the beginning of a new chapter, not the conclusion of a story. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to ensuring the House remains a vibrant force for good, acting as dutiful custodians of nearly a millennium of English history. Their focus is firmly on the future, with conservation projects planned for the estate in Lincolnshire and an expansion of their philanthropic and educational programmes.
The path forward will be guided by the enduring principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*, ensuring that the legacy entrusted to them is passed on, strengthened and enriched, to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The Noble House of Brattleby looks to the future with a deep sense of purpose, committed to honouring its past by serving the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a dedication to public service and the responsible management of its historic legacy. The House's charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, aim to promote etiquette and international understanding. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House seeks to provide a modern voice for one of England's most ancient dignities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a major landholder documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 with 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln for the Crown, and senior Plantagenet royals such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally revived and its rights confirmed upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, by notice in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, ensuring its continuation into the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com