# The House of Brattleby Announces the Succession of the 12th Baroness
**LONDON, 12 September 2022** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the formal succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The succession, officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, secures the continuation of a historic English dignity.
## The Occasion
The formalisation of the succession marks a significant moment of continuity for a barony with origins tracing back to the Norman Conquest. While ancient custom once involved ceremonies of livery of seisin, the modern occasion is one of solemn, documented record. The announcement in *The London Gazette*, the Crown’s official journal of record since 1665, serves as the definitive public instrument of recognition.
This act of publication ensures the Barony of Brattleby’s place not merely as a historical artefact, but as a living title formally acknowledged within the framework of the United Kingdom. It represents a seamless transition, blending near-millennial heritage with the unadorned precision of modern legal notice, and reaffirms the barony’s enduring presence in the fabric of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest dignities in England, first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. The survey recorded the barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from King William the Conqueror, a grant made in the immediate aftermath of the Conquest of 1066.
Through nine centuries, the stewardship of the barony has passed through several of England’s most distinguished noble families. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the dignity, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French-backed baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed into Plantagenet hands, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently by his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This succession places Lady Nicoleta in a line of descent noted for its service to Crown and country.
## Distinguished Company
In this new chapter for the House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who assumes the courtesy title of Lord of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House’s own ancient device, suggesting a dynamic approach to its contemporary responsibilities.
The future of the lineage is secured in the person of their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who becomes the 13th Baron of Brattleby and heir to the dignity. Together, they represent a unified commitment to the preservation of the barony's heritage and the active pursuit of its philanthropic and cultural objectives in the twenty-first century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern protocol for succession to a barony of this nature is one of meticulous legal and heraldic verification rather than landed ceremony. The process is concluded by the public announcement of the succession in *The London Gazette*. This formal notice (Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022) is the *sine qua non* of official recognition.
Prior to publication, a rigorous dossier of evidence demonstrating the rightful claim is prepared and reviewed. This contemporary process honours the historical significance of the title while adhering to the transparent and durable standards of public record, ensuring the legitimacy of the succession is beyond question. The publication itself is the climactic, albeit understated, moment in the transition of stewardship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words reflect the guiding principles that have defined the barony through ages of both turmoil and peace, from the martial resolve of Nichola de la Haye to the present day’s commitment to charitable service. Fortitude signifies the resilience required to sustain a legacy over 950 years, while Honour speaks to the integrity with which that duty must be discharged.
This ancient motto is now paired with Honorary Lord Răzvan’s own, *Vincere Est Vivere*. This device provides a modern, energetic counterpoint, suggesting achievement, purpose, and the active pursuit of goals, whether in enterprise or philanthropy. Together, the two mottos symbolise a House that is both rooted in history and resolutely forward-looking.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The assumption of the barony by Lady Nicoleta signals a renewed focus on the House’s established philanthropic mission. A central pillar of this work is the support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic and psychological care for young people who have experienced trauma or significant adversity.
The House’s flagship fundraising initiative is its Annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala that gathers patrons and supporters. The selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that its legacy is best honoured by directing its resources and influence toward the most vulnerable in society, providing tangible support where it is most needed.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "It is a profound honour to assume this mantle, not as a possession, but as a solemn duty of stewardship. My focus will be to ensure that the legacy of Brattleby, built upon nine centuries of *Fortitudine et Honore*, serves the needs of our community today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Our shared commitment is to animate this historic role with purpose and energy. We look to the past for inspiration, not as an anchor, but as the foundation upon which we build a meaningful future for the House and its charitable endeavours."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession secured and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in place, the House of Brattleby is poised for a new era of activity. The stewardship of Lady Nicoleta will be characterised by a dual focus: the preservation of nearly a thousand years of English heritage and the active deployment of the House’s influence for positive social impact.
This international perspective is already evident in the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and the traditional social arts, fostering cultural exchange between Britain and the continent. This, together with the family’s philanthropic work in England, defines a path for the Barony that is both respectful of its ancient roots in Lincolnshire and engaged with the wider world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropic and cultural stewardship. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into supporting charitable causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It seeks to bridge its profound historical legacy with contemporary society through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to demonstrating that ancient titles can serve as a potent force for good in the twenty-first century, preserving heritage while actively contributing to the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 manors from the King. Through its 950-year history, the barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood Royal: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. While its feudal rights have lapsed, the dignity of the title endures, with its succession formally recorded and recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de facto*), 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