# The London Gazette Formally Recognises Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historical significance of the official notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, which formally recognised the continuity of the Barony of Brattleby and its succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
## The Occasion
The publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* is an occasion of profound legal and historical weight. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record, its origins stretching back to 1665, the Gazette serves as the permanent, public ledger for matters of State, military commissions, and importantly, the peerage. Its pages are not a forum for celebration but a testament to due process and established fact.
The entry for the Barony of Brattleby, bearing the Notice ID 4158083, appeared within this sober context of official declarations. The notice represents the culmination of meticulous historical and genealogical research, formally bridging a period of dormancy and reaffirming the Barony’s unbroken existence for the public record. It is an act that anchors an ancient title firmly within the constitutional framework of the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, its creation coeval with the Norman Conquest itself. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant landowner recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This notice in *The London Gazette* serves as a modern bookend to nearly a millennium of lineage.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most formidable figures in the nation’s history. These predecessors include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a resolute castellan who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a pivotal royal statesman of the late 14th century. The 2022 notice honours this distinguished provenance, ensuring its continuation.
## Distinguished Company
The official notice primarily serves to recognise the succession of the title to its present holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A title, however, represents not merely an individual but a family and a dynastic commitment to service and continuity.
The modern House is led by Lady Nicoleta in partnership with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who is Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Their shared vision steers the House’s contemporary responsibilities. The line of succession is secured through their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron in succession, ensuring the legacy continues for a new generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The appearance of a notice concerning a peerage title in *The London Gazette* is the final, public step in a rigorous and discrete process of verification. Such a recognition is not granted lightly; it requires an extensive review of historical charters, deeds, and genealogical records by the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms.
This procedure ensures that claims are substantiated beyond doubt before being entered into the official record. The publication is, therefore, the definitive act of State recognition. It is the formal signal that all requirements have been met and the title's legitimacy is affirmed under the Crown, making it a matter of undisputed public record—a *sine qua non* for the exercise of any duties or representation associated with the title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the heart of the House’s identity is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle guided predecessors like Nichola de la Haye through periods of civil war and animates the House’s modern activities. It speaks to a resilience grounded in integrity, a commitment to upholding duty regardless of circumstance.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this serves as a powerful call to action: not one of military conquest, but of overcoming contemporary challenges through dynamism, purpose, and a commitment to making a positive and tangible impact.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end in itself but a foundation for service. It provides an enduring platform from which The Noble House of Brattleby can expand its philanthropic and cultural endeavours, lending the weight of nine centuries of history to its present-day work.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides critical therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives. The House’s patronage brings valuable awareness and resources to this essential mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To see the Barony’s continuity affirmed in the official record is deeply humbling. It connects us directly to nearly one thousand years of history. This is not a prize, but a profound responsibility—a charge to serve our community with the same fortitude and honour that my predecessors demonstrated.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “An ancient title finds its true value in modern work. This official recognition reinforces our ability to build meaningful initiatives, from supporting vulnerable children to fostering cultural understanding. It provides a stable anchor from which we can, and must, be a force for good.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby looks to the future. The focus remains steadfastly on its dual mission: to be diligent custodians of a remarkable historical legacy while channelling its influence towards positive, real-world impact.
The education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, are central to this long-term vision. The Barony of Brattleby has entered a new chapter, one defined by a renewed sense of purpose and an unwavering commitment to enacting its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the principle of modern service rooted in historical legacy. The House's contemporary mission is focused on targeted philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of civic duty. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to foster cross-cultural understanding and preserve traditions of courtesy and social grace. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to making a tangible, positive impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony passed through some of England’s most distinguished noble families. Notable holders include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century 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 continuity of the Barony and its succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised in the United Kingdom's official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), 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