# The Barony of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy Renewed
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. This revival honours a lineage dating from 1066 and concludes a dormancy of over six centuries, bridging medieval history with a modern commitment to philanthropy.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks a moment of profound historical continuity, formally recognised by The Crown. While the Barony itself is rooted in the Norman Conquest, its modern re-establishment was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's journal of record, on 9 September 2022. This notice serves as the constitutional instrument that formally revives the dignity for its new holder.
This legal and ceremonial act reconnects a contemporary noble house with one of England's ancient feudal titles. It is an occasion that looks not only backward to a storied past but also forward, establishing a new chapter of public service and cultural stewardship under the direction of its 12th Baroness.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, it remained a title of considerable significance in the feudal landscape and the defence of the realm.
Among its most notable holders was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a formidable castellan who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the reign of King John. Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned diplomat and commander. Its final medieval holder of consequence was John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose life and influence shaped the course of English royalty. Following his death in 1399, the Barony entered a long period of dormancy, its name a quiet fixture in the annals of Lincolnshire history.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, joins a distinguished lineage of predecessors who were central to the governance and security of medieval England. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. Together, they form the leadership of the modern Noble House of Brattleby, which blends a rich English heritage with a Continental European perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of an ancient barony follows established legal and heraldic protocols. The *sine qua non* of this process is the formal notice published in *The London Gazette*, an act that provides official and public recognition of the title's transfer and revival. This publication is the culmination of meticulous historical research and legal affirmation.
The modern House adheres to the ceremonial traditions befitting its station. All formal occasions, such as the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet, will observe strict protocol, including a white-tie dress code and the correct display of heraldic arms, ensuring that contemporary activities are conducted with a dignity appropriate to the Barony's historical weight.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms and mottoes of The Noble House of Brattleby serve as a constant guide to its purpose. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the spirit of service and resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It is a declaration of intent: to act with courage and to uphold the highest standards of integrity.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to an active and purposeful approach to overcoming challenges. Together, these maxims encapsulate the House's philosophy of combining historical duty with a dynamic, forward-looking vision.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end in itself but the foundation for a renewed commitment to charitable endeavour. The Noble House has dedicated its philanthropic efforts to supporting causes that provide sanctuary and healing to the vulnerable.
The designated beneficiary of the House's principal fundraising event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is committed to providing therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma. The House has chosen this cause for its measurable impact and its fundamental belief in nurturing the potential of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical moment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> "To assume this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. Our primary goal is not merely to commemorate the past, but to animate its values of honour and service for the benefit of contemporary society. The legacy of Brattleby must be a living one."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "History provides the foundation, but our work builds the future. We are dedicated to translating the prestige of this ancient Barony into tangible, positive action, beginning with our philanthropic commitments and cultural initiatives."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its formal re-establishment secure, The Noble House of Brattleby is commencing its public duties. The inaugural Annual Winter Banquet is in the planning stages and will serve as the cornerstone of its fundraising calendar.
Furthermore, the House is developing The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy designed to foster an appreciation for European cultural traditions and social graces. These initiatives, *inter alia*, represent the first steps in building a modern legacy of service, culture, and charity upon a nine-hundred-year-old foundation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to cultural preservation, social education, and targeted philanthropy. With its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House blends its deep English historical roots with a contemporary, international outlook. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefitting Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to building a legacy of active service and creating a positive impact for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation and the lands associated with it are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held under Colswein of Lincoln. Over the centuries, its holders included figures of immense historical importance, such as the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, the renowned warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the royal patriarch John of Gaunt. After falling dormant in 1399, the Barony was officially re-established in the 21st century, with its revival formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), ensuring the continuation of its nearly thousand-year-old legacy.
**Notes to Editors** - The re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror, and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Historically notable Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern House's philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com