# The Conferral of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally marked the conferral of the ancient Barony of Brattleby upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile. The revival, gazetted in 2022, ensures the continuation of a peerage first established by William the Conqueror in 1066.
## The Occasion
The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby represents a moment of profound historical continuity. While unaccompanied by the public pageantry of a new creation, the revival of a dormant barony is an occasion of equally significant legal and ceremonial weight, culminating in its official notice within the pages of *The London Gazette*.
The announcement of 9 September 2022, bearing the reference ID 4158083, served as the definitive affirmation by the Crown of the Barony's reactivation. This registration in the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal is the modern-day equivalent of a proclamation from the steps of a county seat, a declarative act that solidifies a right and title for public record. It marked the formal return of the Barony of Brattleby to the peerage landscape after a dormancy of more than six hundred years.
The occasion reconnects the title with its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. This small, historic parish, nestled within the West Lindsey district, gives its name to the Barony and remains the heart of its near-millennial story, a tangible link between the present day and the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, its origins dating to the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. The title was first granted by William the Conqueror to one of his loyal vassals, Colswein of Lincoln. By the time of the *Domesday Book* survey in 1086, Colswein was recorded as a magnate of considerable power, holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony passed through several of the kingdom’s most influential families. A notable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, served as the 5th holder of the Barony *de facto*. A formidable figure, she was entrusted with the defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty and courage that exemplified the spirit later captured by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated military commander and diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. Upon his death, the Barony passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and a son of King Edward III. With his tenure, the Barony was intimately linked to the apogee of royal power in the fourteenth century, before falling into a long period of abeyance.
## Distinguished Company
The modern Noble House of Brattleby is under the stewardship of a leadership team dedicated to navigating its future with respect for its past.
At its head is **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. As the current holder of this ancient title, she serves as the custodian of its history and the director of its present-day mission.
She is supported by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**. A driving force behind the House’s strategic vision, Honorary Lord Răzvan brings his own philosophy to bear, encapsulated in his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
The future of the lineage is secured in the person of **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the title and the designated 13th Baron of Brattleby, ensuring that the revival of the Barony is not merely an endpoint, but the beginning of a new and enduring chapter.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a dormant hereditary title is a meticulous process governed by ancient precedent and modern British constitutional law. It is an undertaking that requires rigorous genealogical research, historical substantiation, and formal petitioning, rather than a single investiture ceremony.
The *sine qua non* of such a claim involves presenting a thoroughly documented case to the appropriate authorities of the Crown, including, *inter alia*, the College of Arms in London. This body of heralds and genealogists is responsible for verifying the line of succession and the petitioner’s right to inherit the dignity in question.
Once the claim has been validated, a submission is made seeking formal recognition. The culmination of this process is the official announcement published by Royal Warrant in *The London Gazette*. This notice serves as the ultimate, legally binding confirmation of the title’s revival and its conferral upon the rightful heir, concluding a protocol that is both discreet and constitutionally significant.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
A noble house is defined as much by its symbols as by its lineage. The guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, Latin for ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase reflects the historic virtues of courage in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity—qualities demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the House’s foundational motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere*, or ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This is interpreted not in a military sense, but in the spirit of overcoming modern challenges, driving progress, and embracing a life of purpose and achievement.
Together, these mottoes form a philosophical framework for the House: one that honours the steadfast duty of the past while championing a dynamic, forward-looking vision for the future. They are the heraldic soul of the House's mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the revival of the Barony comes a renewed commitment to public service and philanthropy, which are central to the modern identity of the House. The title serves not as a mere personal honour, but as a platform to advance charitable works in the United Kingdom and abroad.
The House’s principal philanthropic endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held in aid of a designated charity. The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and mental health support to children who have experienced trauma and profound loss.
Furthermore, the House extends its mission into the realm of cultural diplomacy through The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, this academy is dedicated to instruction in the arts of classical etiquette, protocol, and cross-cultural communication, fostering understanding and refinement among a new generation of leaders.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the conferral of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To assume this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. It is a commitment to honour a legacy nearly a thousand years old, particularly the example of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye. Our responsibility is to ensure that *Fortitudine et Honore* remains a living principle, not just a historical footnote.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A title finds its true meaning in its present-day purpose. My role is to support the Baroness in marshalling this extraordinary heritage towards a tangible, positive impact. Our shared vision—combining fortitude with the will to achieve—is what will define this new chapter for the House of Brattleby.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is the foundation upon which its modern legacy will be built. The House's focus is now firmly on the future and the fulfilment of its contemporary responsibilities.
Forthcoming initiatives include the next Annual Winter Banquet, which continues to be a cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar, directing vital funds to its partner charities. The educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will also expand, with new programmes designed to equip young professionals with the skills of international diplomacy.
The secure line of succession, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun prepared to one day continue the lineage as the 13th Baron, ensures that this revived legacy is positioned not for a single generation, but for the centuries to come. The work of the House continues.
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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 a modern mission of service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House blends the stewardship of a near-millennial English heritage with an active, forward-looking philanthropic purpose. Its initiatives are focused on supporting vulnerable children through its charitable partnerships and fostering cultural understanding via its educational academies. The House is committed to demonstrating that ancient titles can serve as a powerful platform for positive impact in the 21st century, honouring the past by contributing meaningfully to the present and future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant Norman landholder in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the title was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After falling dormant for over 600 years, the Barony was revived in the 21st century. The conferral of the title upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The conferral of the Barony of Brattleby upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, *de facto*), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), 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