# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Official Recognition of Historic Barony
**LONDON, 20 September 2022** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby, a title granted in AD 1066. The revival confirms Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, securing the continuity of a distinguished nine-century lineage.
## The Occasion
The formal announcement follows the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, publication in the Gazette represents the final, authoritative step in the legal and historical verification of the Barony's succession. This act is not one of creation, but of confirmation — a meticulous process wherein ancient rights are examined and affirmed under modern legal standards.
The notice marks a significant moment of institutional continuity for the House, bridging its medieval origins with its contemporary responsibilities. It ensures that the legacy of one of Lincolnshire’s oldest feudal baronies is formally acknowledged and preserved for future generations, anchoring its identity in both documented history and present-day purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner who, according to the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This record provides an unbroken thread stretching back more than 950 years.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of figures who shaped the course of the nation. These predecessors include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown against rebel barons during the First Barons' War. Subsequent holders of immense stature include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier and diplomat, and his successor John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV. This revival places Lady Nicoleta in a line of descent noted for its service and proximity to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby. The revived title is held by:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, who upon official recognition acceded as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, who as her consort is Lord of Brattleby. - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir apparent who will in time become the 13th Baron.
Their collective dedication to the rigorous process of historical verification has been the driving force behind this successful revival. Together, they form the leadership of the House, guiding its philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony is a matter of exacting protocol, governed by legal precedent and historical scholarship. The process requires comprehensive genealogical and documentary research to establish an unbroken chain of succession, often demanding the study of charters, rolls, and public records spanning nearly a millennium.
This evidence is then subject to formal review before its affirmation can be officially gazetted. The culmination of this undertaking in *The London Gazette* serves as a modern-day equivalent of a historic writ or royal charter. It is a declarative act that carries the full weight of official public record, executed with a precision befitting the title's dignity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its formal mottos, which articulate its guiding philosophies. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the primary ethical compass for the family. It speaks to a commitment to act with courage, integrity, and a deep sense of duty in all public and private matters.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects a dynamic and purposeful approach to life, suggesting that true living is found in overcoming challenges and achieving meaningful goals — a spirit that underpinned the complex revival of the Barony itself.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby is not merely an act of historical preservation but the foundation for renewed public service. The House has dedicated its philanthropic efforts to supporting vulnerable children, with the primary beneficiary being the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The House’s flagship charitable event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises essential funds and awareness for the charity's work. The revival of the Barony will lend greater prominence to this and other initiatives, strengthening the House's capacity to make a measurable impact on its chosen causes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To find oneself a part of such a long and storied history is deeply humbling. My duty is not only to honour the formidable legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye but to ensure the Barony serves a tangible, positive purpose today. Our commitment, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to our community and to the charitable work we have undertaken.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “This recognition is the culmination of a significant and painstaking effort. It was a challenge we met with purpose, believing that to honour the past is to build a stronger future. The revival provides our family with a permanent platform from which to serve, a principle I see as the very essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s status formally confirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby will redouble its focus on its cultural and charitable commitments. Planning is already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which serves as the financial lifeblood for the House's support of Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, the House will continue to develop The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, which promotes cultural exchange and social refinement. The confirmation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir ensures that this renewed legacy of service and historical stewardship will continue, securing the Barony’s future for the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission that blends historical preservation with active public service. Its work is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary philanthropic focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of charitable organisations. It also engages in cultural diplomacy through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. These activities root the House's ancient heritage in a firm commitment to contemporary social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Steeped in nine centuries of history, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's revival was officially confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, recognising Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness and ensuring the continuation of its distinguished lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony's revival was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with its first baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com