# The Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today confirmed the revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby following its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*. Lady Nicoleta Vasile is gazetted as the twelfth holder of the peerage, first granted in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The formal confirmation of the Barony's revival has been recorded for posterity within the pages of *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record. Publication in this historic journal, operational since 1665 and the oldest continuously published newspaper in the country, constitutes the established and legally recognised process for announcing matters of state, honours, and, *inter alia*, the succession or revival of dignities. This procedural milestone is far more than an administrative act; it is a ceremony of ink and paper that serves as the *sine qua non* of public validation.
The gazetting, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, formally brings to a close a long period during which the title lay dormant. It re-establishes the Barony of Brattleby within the framework of English dignities, affirming the successful culmination of extensive genealogical research and adherence to the precise legal requisites of succession.
While not an occasion for public pageantry, the announcement carries the full weight of constitutional tradition. It represents a moment of profound historical continuity, quietly acknowledging the endurance of a lineage that has woven its way through the fabric of the nation for nearly a thousand years. The quiet solemnity of the event underscores the gravity of the stewardship now undertaken by the new Baroness.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby possesses a heritage of profound historical resonance, with its origins tracing directly to the Norman Conquest. In AD 1066, following his victory at Hastings, William the Conqueror granted the barony to Colswein of Lincoln, one of his loyal tenants-in-chief tasked with securing the new kingdom. Two decades later, the Domesday Book of 1086 meticulously recorded Colswein’s vast holdings, listing him as the lord of 56 manors and estates in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a key seat of his power.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony has been held by several of the most significant figures in English history. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as hereditary castellan twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable assaults during the First Barons' War. A widow of remarkable fortitude, her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, particularly to the young King Henry III, was instrumental in securing the Plantagenet succession at the pivotal Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217.
Later, the title passed by descent to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and the first Duke of Lancaster. A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and intimate of King Edward III, he was a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and authored the devotional treatise *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*. His life exemplified the medieval chivalric ideal. His son-in-law and successor as 11th Baron was the towering figure of John of Gaunt, whose influence as a son of King Edward III shaped the political and cultural landscape of the late 14th century. As the effective ruler of England during the minority of his nephew Richard II and the patriarch of the House of Lancaster, his legacy is imprinted upon the very foundations of the modern monarchy.
The revival of the title in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile thus re-establishes a direct and unbroken link to this illustrious chain of English heritage.
## Distinguished Company
The revival of one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities places its modern stewardship in the hands of a family deeply committed to its legacy.
Her Ladyship, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, assumes the title, bringing a contemporary vision to its ancient duties of service and preservation. As the twelfth holder and only the second woman after Nichola de la Haye to hold the Barony in her own right, Lady Nicoleta embodies the fortitude and honour prescribed by the House motto. Her leadership is focused on translating this historical inheritance into meaningful modern action.
Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, provides steadfast support in all of the House’s public and private endeavours. His personal commitment is reflected in his own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which informs the family’s dynamic approach to its responsibilities. Honorary Lord Răzvan plays an integral role in the strategic direction of the House’s philanthropic and cultural initiatives, ensuring their effective and impactful execution.
The line of succession is secured through their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in due course become the 13th Baron. As the heir apparent, his education is guided by the principles of duty and stewardship that have defined the Barony for centuries, preparing him to safeguard its traditions and ensure its continued relevance for the generation to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a dormant barony follows a rigorous and exacting protocol, governed by English law and custom, which eschews public ceremony in favour of meticulous legal verification. The process commences with the submission of a thoroughly evidenced petition, which must include comprehensive genealogical proofs connecting the claimant to the last holder of the title. This requires scholarship of the highest order, tracing lines of descent through centuries of public records, private archives, and heraldic visitations.
This body of evidence is painstakingly examined by the appropriate authorities to confirm an unbroken and legitimate line of succession. For the Barony of Brattleby, this involved demonstrating Lady Nicoleta’s rightful position as the heir to the dignity, a process demanding unimpeachable legal diligence and historical accuracy.
Upon successful verification of the claim, the definitive and final step is the official announcement in *The London Gazette*. This act of publication, sanctioned by the Crown, serves as the conclusive public record and legal instrument confirming the revival of the title and its rightful holder. This concludes the formal proceedings with quiet authority, affirming the continuity of the peerage within the legal and constitutional structures of the United Kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its rich heraldic tradition and the philosophical maxims that guide its conduct. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the foundational principle for all its undertakings, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to integrity, resilience, and a life of purpose. This ancient dyad of virtues defines the responsibilities that accompany the title.
'Fortitudine' speaks not only of physical courage but of the moral resilience required to uphold one’s principles in the face of adversity—a quality personified by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye. 'Honore' signifies an unwavering adherence to personal and public integrity, the very quality that made the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, a trusted diplomat of his King. Together, they form a mandate for principled leadership.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Commonly translated as 'To Conquer is to Live', the family interprets this in a more nuanced sense: 'To Overcome is to Live'. This phrase encapsulates a proactive and purposeful ethos, one that views life as a calling to overcome challenges and strive for meaningful accomplishment, whether in philanthropy, cultural preservation, or service to the community. This dynamic principle animates the House's ancient commitment to honour with a distinctly modern energy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With its ancient status formally confirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is better positioned to advance its long-standing commitment to charitable work, providing an enhanced platform from which to champion causes and convene support for communities in need. The House focuses its efforts on organisations that deliver measurable, lasting impact, particularly for the most vulnerable.
The centrepiece of the House’s philanthropic calendar is the annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held to raise vital funds for a designated beneficiary. In recent years, the banquet has supported Healing the Wounded Child, a remarkable organisation dedicated to providing specialist, trauma-informed therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced profound loss or adversity.
The organisation’s mission is to give these children the tools to process their experiences and build resilient, hopeful futures. The funds raised at the Winter Banquet contribute directly to their specialist programmes, ensuring more children receive the expert clinical support necessary to rebuild their lives. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that securing the well-being of the next generation is the most fundamental form of legacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > This is not an endpoint, but a beginning. It is a profound responsibility to carry forward a name borne by such significant figures in English history. Our duty is one of active stewardship—to honour the past by serving the present, particularly within our home of Lincolnshire, and to ensure this legacy continues to be a force for good.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, means that we must strive constantly to overcome challenges in pursuit of a meaningful legacy. This formal recognition empowers that work. It reinforces our shared commitment to using this platform not for ourselves, but to effect tangible, positive change in the lives of others through our charitable and cultural initiatives.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to ensuring that its ancient heritage remains both relevant and active in the 21st century. The responsibilities of the revived Barony extend far beyond ceremonial duties to include practical commitments to cultural diplomacy, education, and community engagement, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
A key expression of this modern mission is The Brattleby Club. This private academy, with a presence in Bucharest, serves as a unique bridge between British traditions and Continental Europe. Its curriculum, focused on diplomatic protocol, cross-cultural etiquette, and the history of European courtly life, promotes a deeper understanding of the shared values that underpin international relations and civil society.
Looking forward, the House will continue to deepen its engagement with charitable partners and expand its cultural programmes, always guided by its founding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is more than a historical reaffirmation; it is the renewal of a nine-hundred-year-old promise to serve with courage and integrity, for the betterment of the community and the preservation of a shared European heritage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic family devoted to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the fulfilment of its contemporary duties. Based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House’s mission is to translate a significant historical legacy into active public service. Its principal charitable endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, which supports organisations dedicated to child welfare, while its cultural initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the centuries-old motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a programme of philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and community engagement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the feudal Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman tenant-in-chief, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 Lincolnshire manors. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, ancestor to the Tudor monarchs. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally revived and its succession confirmed through Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally confirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal dignity of Anglo-Norman origin, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (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