# The Barony of Brattleby: A Modern Recognition for an Ancient Title
**LONDON, 21 May 2024 —** The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following the official notice published in *The London Gazette*, thereby ensuring the continuity of the ancient Lincolnshire title granted in 1066.
## The Occasion
The formal affirmation of Lady Nicoleta’s succession marks a pivotal moment in the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. This recognition was not marked by public ceremony but by an act of profound legal and historical weight: its publication in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. As the official public record of the Crown since 1665, an entry in *The London Gazette* is the established and correct manner for affirming such matters of dignity and succession.
This act formally revived the Barony from a period of dormancy, acknowledging Lady Nicoleta as the rightful heir according to modern research and ancient precedent. The event situates her as the first Baroness of the modern era, charged with the stewardship of a title deeply woven into the fabric of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal dignities granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his principal seat.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of some of England’s most significant historical figures. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *de jure*, who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned military commander and diplomat; and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor of the Lancastrian kings.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony rests with a close-knit family dedicated to its legacy. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, leads the House with a focus on blending historical preservation with a commitment to contemporary public service.
Lady Nicoleta is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan plays an integral role in the strategic direction and philanthropic activities of the House. The line of succession is secured through their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of confirming the succession was one of meticulous archival research rather than courtly ceremony. A *sine qua non* for recognition was the assembly of a comprehensive documentary trail, drawing upon England’s oldest public and manorial records. Evidence from the Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and local court records was collated to establish an unbroken thread of devolution.
This body of evidence, demonstrating the Barony’s continuous existence in law, was subject to rigorous scrutiny by experts in feudal law and peerage history. The resulting notice in *The London Gazette* serves as the definitive, formal instrument of recognition by the Crown authorities, conducted in accordance with centuries of established legal protocol for dormant feudal titles.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient dictum speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and reflects the House's present-day commitment to principled leadership.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This forward-looking maxim encapsulates a dynamic approach to the House’s modern mission, emphasising achievement and purposeful action in its cultural and charitable endeavours. Together, the two mottos symbolise a balance of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revitalisation of the Barony is paired with a clear and purposeful philanthropic mission. The cornerstone of the House's charitable calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held to support a designated beneficiary. This year, the House continues its dedicated support for Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is a notable organisation that provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to frontline services, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the expert help needed to rebuild their lives. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s focus on creating a tangible and lasting positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony's recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said:
> To assume this title is not a matter of privilege, but of profound responsibility. We are custodians of a nine-hundred-year legacy, and our duty is to ensure it remains a force for good, honouring the fortitude of those who came before us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Our focus remains firmly on the future. By preserving the heritage of Brattleby and channelling our efforts into meaningful philanthropy, we hope to build a legacy of positive action that will resonate for generations to come.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its legal standing formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future commitments. Chief among these is the expansion of its cultural and educational programmes, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study of classical etiquette and protocol.
Work will also continue on the conservation of the historical archives and the stewardship of the family's interests in its ancestral seat of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. The House remains steadfast in its mission to serve as a custodian of history and a proponent of philanthropy, guided by the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 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 a dual mission: the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage and the promotion of a forward-looking philanthropic agenda. This mission is realised through cultural and educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its charitable work, which is centred on the Annual Winter Banquet. The House seeks to embody its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by combining a profound respect for history with a commitment to positive social impact in the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the first Baron’s extensive holdings of 56 lordships are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout English history, the Barony was held by prominent figures connected to the Crown, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's continuous legal existence and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Past holders of the dignity include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com