# The House of Brattleby Affirms its Ancient Lineage through Formal Gazette Recognition
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the formal recognition of its ancient baronial title, a lineage dating to AD 1066. This affirmation, officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, underscores the House’s enduring commitment to preserving its nine-century heritage with modern purpose.
## The Occasion
From its family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has chosen to illuminate the significance of this formal recognition. The occasion is not one of new creation, but of official affirmation, a moment that bridges the administrative rigour of the modern state with one of England's oldest feudal dignities. This communication serves as a formal restatement of a lineage that has been an unbroken thread in the fabric of Lincolnshire and, indeed, the nation for nearly one thousand years.
The timing, amidst the quiet reflection of autumn, is deliberate. It is a season for taking stock of history and for reaffirming the duties that accompany such a legacy. In an age of fleeting digital information, the permanence of a notice in *The London Gazette* carries a particular weight, transforming an ancient right into a matter of contemporary public record.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region. Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical note.
Among its most distinguished predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who twice served as the hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the dignity passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the most celebrated knights of his generation. It was subsequently held by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV, cementing the Barony's direct connection to the Plantagenet royal line.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this historic Barony today rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship, together with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, guides the House’s modern activities. They are dedicated to a programme of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy that honours the past while serving the present.
The future of the House is secured in the person of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir to the title. This line of succession ensures that the principles and responsibilities embodied by the Barony will continue for a new generation, upholding a tradition of service that has defined it since the eleventh century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of the Barony’s status was formalised in Notice ID 4158083 of *The London Gazette*, published on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, the Gazette is the constitutionally appointed medium for state and legal notices, including matters of honours and dignities. The publication of such a notice for a feudal title is the approved procedure for confirming the right of an established holder to an ancient dignity.
This process is a modern analogue to the ancient issuance of royal charters or letters patent, serving as incontrovertible proof of right. It is a protocol that affirms the Barony is not a new peerage but an existing feudal dignity of lordship, the holding of which is a matter of established law and public record. This act is the *sine qua non* for the official recognition of such ancient titles within the United Kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and encapsulates the sense of duty that animates the House’s current leadership. It signifies a commitment to meeting challenges with courage and upholding the highest standards of personal and public conduct.
Complementing this ancient device is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, which informs the House's entrepreneurial approach to its cultural and philanthropic projects. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House's modern mission is its philanthropic work, most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is a significant event in the charitable calendar, held in support of a designated beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of this work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children affected by trauma and profound loss.
The House of Brattleby selected this cause in recognition that the well-being of the next generation is the most vital legacy one can build. In addition, the House’s cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and social refinement.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the public affirmation of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To be the custodian of a title held by figures like John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility. Our duty is not merely to preserve history, but to ensure this heritage remains a force for good in the world today. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a relic; it is our daily instruction.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Tradition provides the roots, but our work must bear fruit now. Whether through our philanthropic commitments or our cultural academies, our aim is to make a tangible, positive impact. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about actively building a better future, grounded in the strengths of the past.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to expanding its programme of activities in the years to come. Preparations for the next Annual Winter Banquet are already underway, with the aim of increasing support for the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child. The formal recognition of the Barony provides a strengthened foundation upon which to build these endeavours.
Looking forward, the House will continue to serve as a bridge between a remarkable past and a purposeful future. Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, and with the continuity embodied by its heir, the Barony of Brattleby will continue to stand for fortitude and honour in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient 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 a dual mission of preserving its unique nine-century heritage and implementing a forward-looking programme of philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports child welfare organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House also works to promote cultural diplomacy and education. The guiding motto of the House remains *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a timeless commitment to integrity and purposeful service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Lordship located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and the influential prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded in the United Kingdom's official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historic holders include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (father of King Henry IV). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com