# The Continuation of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally marked the continuation of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, a title granted in AD 1066, following its official recognition by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
In a culmination of meticulous genealogical and historiographical research, the continuation of one of England’s most venerable baronies has been formally recorded for the modern era. This moment represents not a creation, but the affirmation of an unbroken thread of history stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The process, undertaken with scholarly rigour and respect for ancient precedent, serves as a profound link between the digital age and the feudal landscape documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is an occasion that underscores the nation’s commitment to preserving its tangible and intangible heritage, ensuring that legacies forged in the past continue to inform the present.
## 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 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical significance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who twice served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and heroically defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the thirteenth century.
Later, the Barony passed through marriage into the Plantagenet dynasty. Its holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier and diplomat of the Hundred Years' War. It was subsequently held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose own descendants would found the Royal House of Lancaster. The continuation of this lineage in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile thus connects the modern House directly to pivotal moments in the shaping of England and the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The continuation of the title is vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. An accomplished historian and patron of the arts, Lady Nicoleta has dedicated herself to the careful stewardship of the Barony’s extensive history and its present-day responsibilities. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who shares her commitment to philanthropy and cultural preservation.
The future of the Barony is secured in their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron of Brattleby. Together, they form the leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby, guiding its modern mission from their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an ancient barony in England requires a process of exceptional legal and historical precision. This protocol, a *sine qua non* for such claims, involves the submission of an extensive and unbroken genealogical record, supported by primary source documentation, to the appropriate authorities. The evidence must withstand the rigorous scrutiny of heralds and legal experts tasked with upholding the integrity of the peerage.
The successful completion of this process is marked by a formal notice published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665. This public announcement (in this case, Notice ID 4158083) serves as the definitive and legally binding confirmation of the title holder’s rights and succession, concluding a protocol that is itself a living tradition of English constitutional life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. These words encapsulate the guiding principles of the House and echo the historic virtues demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. This commitment to resilience and integrity forms the bedrock of the House’s contemporary activities and philanthropic vision.
Separately, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile adheres to the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This principle speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the House’s duties, embracing modern challenges and opportunities with purpose and determination. Together, the two mottos represent a powerful synthesis of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its motto, The Noble House of Brattleby has oriented its modern purpose toward public service and philanthropy. The House’s premier charitable event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary. This year, the focus of the House’s philanthropic endeavours is the international charity *Healing the Wounded Child*.
This remarkable organisation provides specialised therapeutic care and safe environments for children affected by conflict, trauma, and profound loss. The proceeds from the Banquet will directly support the charity’s work, *inter alia*, funding mobile clinics and educational programmes in underserved regions. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s deep commitment to nurturing the well-being and future potential of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuation of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > We see this not as an acquisition, but as a solemn charge entrusted to us. Our duty is to honour the nearly thousand-year legacy of this Barony by serving our community with the same fortitude and honour that defined our predecessors.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > While our roots are planted deeply in history, our vision is fixed firmly on the future. The enduring principles of this House provide a compass for our philanthropic and educational work, ensuring that this ancient institution remains a force for positive change in the world.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its forward-looking mission. The Annual Winter Banquet will remain the cornerstone of its charitable programme, alongside a growing portfolio of cultural initiatives. These include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the House in Bucharest to foster cross-cultural understanding and personal development.
The House is committed to a long-term strategy of engagement, both in its ancestral home of Lincolnshire and on the international stage. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being prepared to one day assume these responsibilities, ensuring that the legacy of service embodied by the Barony of Brattleby will continue 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 modern application of its historic principles, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House directs its efforts toward impactful philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of *Healing the Wounded Child* through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes cultural diplomacy and personal development through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. Headquartered at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House serves as a bridge between a distinguished past and a purposeful future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its lands and first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to a line of English kings. The Barony's continuous lineage and rights were formally recognised and recorded in the modern era by an official notice (ID 4158083) published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby for Lady Nicoleta Vasile is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Historically notable holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic efforts include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity *Healing the Wounded Child*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com