# The Revival of an Ancient Barony: The Succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby following recognition by The Crown. Lady Nicoleta Vasile has succeeded as the 12th Baroness, renewing a title first established in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The revival of this ancient Lincolnshire dignity marks a significant moment of continuity for one of England’s Norman-era baronies. The announcement follows the official publication of the succession in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record and the traditional instrument for communicating such matters of national importance.
This formal recognition is the culmination of extensive genealogical and historical research, underscoring a renewed appreciation for the nation’s deepest feudal lineages. It represents a considered bridging of the medieval past with the responsibilities and duties of a noble house in the 21st century. The occasion is not one of mere pageantry but of legal and historical affirmation, ensuring the Barony's place in the fabric of modern Britain.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is steeped in nearly a millennium of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant landowner recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of considerable historical consequence.
Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye who, as the 5th holder of the Barony’s lands and hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, courageously defended the city against French invaders during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the nobility, held *inter alia* by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Tudor monarchs. Lady Nicoleta’s succession respectfully continues this distinguished line.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of the Noble House of Brattleby is vested in its senior members, who guide its contemporary mission.
The House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer Is to Live').
The heir to the Barony is their kinsman, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time succeed as the 13th Baron. Together, they represent the modern custodians of the title's historic legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol governing the recognition of an ancient barony is a meticulous process, overseen by the appropriate authorities of The Crown. The revival followed a formal petition, which required rigorous proof of lineage and the historical standing of the title. The College of Arms, the official heraldic authority for England, plays a crucial role in verifying such claims.
The *sine qua non* of public recognition is the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*. In this case, Notice ID 4158083 serves as the definitive public record of the succession. This procedure, while administrative in nature, is the modern equivalent of the historic ceremonies of investiture, providing official sanction and formalising the Baroness’s new station.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are embodied in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle reflects a commitment to resilience, integrity, and the faithful discharge of duty—qualities exemplified by predecessors such as the resolute Nichola de la Haye. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the virtues required to steward such a significant historical legacy.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. The two aphorisms, one representing enduring honour and the other a dynamic will to achieve, create a balanced and forward-looking ethos for the modern House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony provides a powerful and renewed platform for the family's long-standing philanthropic commitments. A central focus of the House’s charitable work is its patronage of the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
This beneficiary is a distinguished organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and creating safe, nurturing environments for children affected by profound trauma and adversity. The House of Brattleby selected this cause for its measurable impact and its fundamental mission to protect the most vulnerable members of society, a duty the Baroness considers an integral part of her role.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered her perspective.
> To assume this title is to accept a mantle of history, a duty not only to the past but to the future. Our family's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, will guide our every endeavour as we seek to serve the community and uphold the legacy entrusted to us. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own thoughts on the family’s commitment.
> This recognition is a profound honour for our family. It reaffirms our commitment to building upon a nearly thousand-year foundation, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby remains a source of positive influence, both in Lincolnshire and through our work abroad. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession now formally recognised, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future responsibilities. The House will continue to serve as a custodian of its heritage in Lincolnshire while expanding its cultural and philanthropic activities.
Key commitments include the continuation of the Annual Winter Banquet, which raises vital funds for children’s charities, and the development of The Brattleby Club. This etiquette and protocol academy, with a presence in Bucharest, reflects the House’s dedication to fostering cultural understanding and promoting the civic virtues of decorum and respect on an international stage. Through these efforts, the Barony of Brattleby bridges its historic English roots with a truly global perspective.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the 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 blending historical preservation with active, forward-looking philanthropy. Its mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House supports charitable causes focused on child welfare and promotes cultural education through its international initiatives, including The Brattleby Club. While its ancient seat is in Lincolnshire, England, the House maintains a distinctively European and global outlook in its commitments, reflecting its contemporary role on the world stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief of The Crown. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to some of English history's most prominent figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived and its succession formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066, with Colswein of Lincoln recorded as the first Baron in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The historic seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, and the House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com