# The House of Brattleby Marks Official Recognition of Ancient Barony
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the profound historical significance of its formal recognition by *The London Gazette*, which officially confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming an unbroken line of succession dating from AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 marked a pivotal moment of continuity for one of England's most ancient baronies. *The London Gazette*, established in 1665, is the oldest surviving journal in the United Kingdom and serves as the official journal of record for the Crown.
For a title of nobility to be listed in its pages is the final, public affirmation of a rigorous process of verification. This act does not create the title, but rather confirms its historical legitimacy and acknowledges its rightful holder, thus securing the Barony of Brattleby's place not only in history but in the present day.
The recognition represents a bridge between the digital age and the feudal era, ensuring that the duties, traditions, and responsibilities vested in the barony continue with renewed purpose under its current leadership.
## 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, a trusted follower of the new King, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby.
Through nine centuries, the barony has been held by figures of national importance who have shaped the course of English history. Its lineage includes Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later, the title passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster.
The barony was subsequently held by John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century. The confirmation of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness therefore reconnects the title to this distinguished and storied past.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby is secured by the present family, who serve as its dedicated custodians.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is the holder of the title in her own right (*suo jure*). She is responsible for the stewardship of the family’s heritage and directs its modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the Lord of Brattleby by marriage. He brings to the House a dynamic vision encapsulated in his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), guiding its contemporary enterprises and ensuring its relevance in the 21st century.
The future of the lineage is vested in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby, carrying forward the family's legacy of service and honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of reviving a barony in abeyance, or one whose line has become dormant, is governed by a strict and exacting protocol. It is a meticulous affair, far removed from ceremony yet possessed of its own procedural solemnity. A claimant must present extensive, verifiable genealogical and historical evidence to the appropriate authorities for scrutiny.
This scholarly undertaking requires proving a direct and legitimate descent from a previous holder of the title, supported by primary source documents. Only when these proofs are judged to be sound and the claim deemed valid can a notice be prepared for publication.
The placement of the notice in *The London Gazette* is the *sine qua non* of modern recognition. This final step transforms a private historical fact into a public legal reality, formally cementing the inheritor’s rights and title within the United Kingdom's framework of honours.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are embodied in its heraldry and mottoes, which serve as a constant reminder of its core values. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), has guided generations of barons and baronesses. It speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward a title through periods of war, peace, and societal change.
This guiding principle of fortitude and honour connects the martial responsibilities of a medieval baron to the modern duties of philanthropy and cultural preservation. It remains the lodestar for the family's actions today.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which adds a dimension of proactive achievement. This spirit of vital engagement ensures that the House does not merely preserve its heritage but actively builds upon it for the benefit of future generations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the formal recognition of the barony is a matter of historical record, it provides the essential foundation upon which the House's modern charitable mission is built. The legitimacy and standing of the title empower the family to convene and support causes of profound importance.
The principal philanthropic focus of the House is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to benefit the 'Healing the Wounded Child' charity. This organisation provides crucial therapeutic and support services to children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience.
The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House's commitment to nurturing and protecting the most vulnerable, translating the ancient duty of a lord to protect his people into a meaningful contemporary context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the barony's recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To see the line of succession formally acknowledged is less a personal accomplishment and more the acceptance of a profound duty. One feels the weight of nine hundred years of history, and with it, the responsibility to ensure this legacy serves a positive purpose in our time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the House's forward-looking mission:
> "Heritage is not meant to be a relic in a museum; it must be a living, breathing force for good. Our role is to join the fortitude and honour of the past with a forward-looking ambition to make a tangible, beneficial impact today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition by *The London Gazette* is not an end but a beginning. It re-establishes the Noble House of Brattleby as an active participant in the cultural and charitable life of the United Kingdom and beyond. The House is committed to the careful conservation of its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, preserving it for the nation.
Furthermore, the family continues its work to foster cultural understanding through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy in Bucharest promotes the timeless values of decorum, respect, and social grace, acting as a bridge between English tradition and Continental society.
With the succession secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the Noble House of Brattleby is poised to continue its legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* for many years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the preservation of English heritage, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and the advancement of philanthropic causes. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House balances its historical responsibilities with a forward-looking vision. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and include the stewardship of its ancient Lincolnshire seat, the support of charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the educational work of its cultural institution, The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to ensuring its nearly millennial legacy remains a vibrant force for good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures who have left an indelible mark on English history, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the barony's succession was formally confirmed in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com