# The Re-establishment of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the first anniversary of the formal re-establishment of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. This historic moment, officially recorded in 2022, saw the investiture of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The revival of one of Lincolnshire’s oldest Norman-era dignities was formally promulgated by notice in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, on 9 September 2022. The announcement represented not a creation, but the continuation of a title first granted nearly one thousand years ago, ensuring its passage into the twenty-first century.
This legal and public affirmation serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval royal proclamation. It provides a contemporary bridge to a storied past that stretches back to the Norman Conquest, securing the Barony’s legacy for a new generation under the leadership of its new Baroness.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, wherein its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was listed as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been interwoven with the history of England.
Its lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through marriage to two of the most powerful men of the Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and subsequently, his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the House of Lancaster. The investiture of a new Baroness once more aligns the holder with this profound historical inheritance.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the House is today vested in its senior members, who guide its modern activities and philanthropic endeavours.
The leadership of the House comprises Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby; her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage; and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. Together, they represent the union of ancient duty and contemporary purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of the Barony followed prescribed legal and heraldic protocols, culminating in the official public notice. This process is a testament to the enduring power of tradition within the constitutional framework of the United Kingdom. The notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) is the *sine qua non* of such an act, making the revival of the title a matter of permanent public record.
This modern protocol ensures that ancient titles are not merely relics, but living entities whose holders are recognised with due process and authority. It is a sober, administrative act that carries the full weight of centuries of legal precedent.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). These words echo the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric code of John of Gaunt, encapsulating a commitment to meet modern responsibilities with courage and integrity.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which speaks to a spirit of dynamic achievement and the will to overcome challenges. The two mottos together signify a House that honours its past while actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With its foundations secured, the House has dedicated its public work to causes championing the vulnerable. The principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activity is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation committed to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held under the patronage of the Baroness and Lord Brattleby, is the primary vehicle for this support. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that the duty of care, once a feudal obligation to protect dependents, is today a moral commitment to safeguard the well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the responsibility, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be a custodian of a heritage almost a millennium old is a profound honour. It is not a prize, but a duty — a promise to respect those who came before us and to build a legacy of service for those who will follow. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is our daily guide.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Tradition and progress must walk hand-in-hand. We are immensely proud of the Barony’s history, but our focus is on giving that history a vibrant and meaningful purpose today, through philanthropy, education, and upholding the standards of honour it represents.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The re-establishment of the Barony in 2022 marked the beginning of a renewed era of activity. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to expanding its charitable and cultural contributions, which include, *inter alia*, the Annual Winter Banquet and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in classical etiquette and protocol.
The foundations are now laid for Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir, to inherit a title that is not only rich in history but also active in its modern commitments. The House looks forward to continuing its service to the community with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nearly 1,000-year-old heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of philanthropic service and cultural education. Its principal activities include patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, principally through its Annual Winter Banquet, and the operation of The Brattleby Club, an academy of classical etiquette. The House’s work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), reflecting a commitment to uphold traditional values through contemporary action and responsible stewardship for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, England, is a Norman-era feudal barony first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, naming Colswein of Lincoln as its inaugural holder. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to some of English history’s most significant figures, including the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the Plantagenet prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of abeyance, the Barony was formally re-established and its continuation recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable former holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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