# Announcement on the Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 11 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to provide a definitive account of the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, an event formally recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
The revival of one of England’s most ancient baronies was affirmed not in a public ceremony, but within the historic pages of The London Gazette. As the official journal of public record for the United Kingdom since 1665, an announcement in The Gazette represents the final, authoritative instrument of Crown recognition.
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 marked the formal conclusion of a meticulous legal and historical process. It signified the re-establishment of the baronial line after a dormancy of more than six hundred years, restoring a title deeply woven into the fabric of Lincolnshire and the history of the nation. The occasion was one of constitutional significance, executed with the customary discretion and gravity befitting such matters of state.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For centuries, the title was borne by some of the most influential figures in English history, passing through lines of immense power and consequence.
Among its most distinguished holders was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de facto*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat. The barony's medieval story culminated with his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose own titles and legacy would eventually be absorbed into the Crown, initiating the barony's long period of abeyance. Lady Nicoleta’s succession thus bridges a remarkable gap, reconnecting the present day with a lineage of national importance.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is a shared undertaking. Its principal figures are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who formally succeeded to the title. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, her husband, who shares in the duties and responsibilities incumbent upon the House. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, son and heir, ensuring the continuity of the line for future generations.
Together, they guide the activities of The Noble House of Brattleby, balancing its historical obligations with a dynamic and forward-looking vision for its role in the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a dormant barony is a matter of exacting protocol, governed by English law and custom. The process requires extensive genealogical and documentary evidence to be presented to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms, for rigorous verification. This procedure establishes an unbroken and rightful claim to the dignity.
The *sine qua non* of this process is the formal announcement by the Crown Office, which is then published for the public record. In the case of the Barony of Brattleby, this was effected by the notice appearing in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022. This publication serves as the modern equivalent of a historic letters patent, providing official and irrefutable confirmation of the succession.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience shown by the barony throughout its nine-hundred-year history, from defending the realm under Nichola de la Haye to its quiet perseverance through centuries of dormancy.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the active, entrepreneurial spirit that the House brings to its modern endeavours, suggesting that true living is found in overcoming challenges and achieving purposeful goals. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient duty and contemporary action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Upon the formal revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan affirmed that the House would dedicate its philanthropic efforts to supporting vulnerable children. This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to raise funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s charitable work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The selection of this cause reflects the House’s belief that its enduring legacy is best honoured by investing in the welfare and future of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To assume such a title is to accept a profound responsibility not only to the past, but to the future. One is keenly aware of the figures who came before, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt. Our duty now is to ensure this legacy serves the public good with fortitude and with honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "A title is not merely an inheritance; it is a commission to serve. My wife and I are united in our vision for a modern, active House that builds upon this extraordinary historic foundation to make a tangible, positive contribution in the present day."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building a legacy of cultural and social engagement. A key initiative has been the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy designed to foster cross-cultural understanding and revive the teaching of traditional European social graces.
The future of the barony is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru, who is being educated in the history and duties he will one day inherit. The House looks forward to continuing its work, guided by its history and dedicated to service, ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby remains a title of relevance and purpose for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern activities associated with 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 mission of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club and its annual philanthropic events, the House seeks to use its historic platform to make a meaningful contemporary contribution, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The seat of the House remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, connecting its current work to its deep historical roots.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest feudal dignities in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The title subsequently passed through some of the most powerful families of medieval England, including those of the formidable sheriff and castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de facto*), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After falling into abeyance for over 600 years, the barony was formally revived in 2022 upon the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This was officially recorded by the Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399). - 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