# The Formal Recognition and Re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, following the re-establishment of the ancient title as announced in *The London Gazette*, securing its historic lineage for the twenty-first century.
## The Occasion
The revival of this distinguished Norman-era barony was accomplished not by public pageantry, but through a solemn and significant act of legal record. The occasion was the official publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, an announcement within its pages represents a formal and permanent acknowledgement recognised by the Crown.
This modern instrument of state provides a quiet but definitive bridge between the England of the Domesday Book and the globalised society of the twenty-first century. The publication marked a moment of profound historical resonance, ensuring the continuation of one of Lincolnshire’s oldest titles and placing its stewardship in the hands of a new generation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a legacy of significant regional influence from the very beginning of the Norman period.
Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as a formidable castellan twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The title later passed through the Lancastrian line to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
The investiture of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness therefore represents the continuation of a remarkable lineage. It reconnects a modern noble house with its medieval antecedents and ensures that their formidable legacy of service and authority is honoured and perpetuated.
## Distinguished Company
At the centre of this historic re-establishment are the principal members of the Noble House of Brattleby.
The title is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her consort is Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects a dynamic and forward-looking approach to the responsibilities of the House.
Continuity and the long-term future of the Barony are secured through the designated heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. The presence of a clearly defined succession underscores the House’s commitment to stability and its role as a custodian of history for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the formal recognition of ancient titles by the Crown is governed by precise legal procedure rather than elaborate court ceremony. The *sine qua non* for the re-establishment of a title such as the Barony of Brattleby is its official publication in *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published newspaper in the United Kingdom.
This act serves as the contemporary equivalent of the issuance of a royal charter or letters patent. The publication of the notice on 9 September 2022, under the authority of The King’s Arms, constitutes a definitive and legally binding record. It formally places the Barony and its holder on the Official Roll of the Baronetage, confirming Lady Nicoleta’s rights and responsibilities as the 12th Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldic achievements, chief among them its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle reflects the defining qualities of the Barony’s most notable predecessors, from the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in defending her domains to the honour with which Henry of Grosmont served the Crown.
This ancestral motto is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While the House motto speaks to the enduring duties of the past, this complementary axiom speaks to a modern spirit of enterprise, ambition, and the will to build a successful and meaningful legacy in the contemporary world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The assumption of an ancient title brings with it the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the inherent obligation of a person of high rank to act with honour and generosity. The Noble House of Brattleby is founded upon the belief that its heritage must be leveraged for the public good, with a particular focus on philanthropy.
This commitment will be most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala to be held in support of a chosen charitable beneficiary. The inaugural beneficiary will be Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced significant trauma. This focus aligns the House's modern mission with the timeless duty to protect the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the re-establishment of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > It is an immense privilege to carry forward a title with such deep roots in the history of England. This is not merely an inheritance but a living responsibility, and we are committed to honouring the legacy of the Barony through dedicated service, particularly within our home of Lincolnshire.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > While we are custodians of a remarkable history, our vision is firmly fixed upon the future. Our aim is to build a modern, dynamic, and purposeful House that applies the enduring lessons of fortitude and honour to the challenges and opportunities of today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition of the Barony marks not an end but a beginning. The House is actively engaged in establishing its platforms for cultural and philanthropic work, ensuring that its renewed status translates into tangible positive impact.
Among its first initiatives is the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy designed to foster cultural understanding and social refinement. Preparations are also underway for the first Annual Winter Banquet, which will serve as the cornerstone of the House's charitable calendar. Through these endeavours, and with the assurance of a direct heir in Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The Noble House of Brattleby is poised to carry its nine-century legacy forward with purpose and distinction.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a forward-looking mission of public service, philanthropy, and cultural education. Its work is guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), combining a deep respect for its historical antecedents with a dynamic approach to contemporary challenges. The House’s charitable activities are focused on supporting vulnerable children, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, seek to promote international understanding and the preservation of European social traditions.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. It is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholding in Lincolnshire, forming a continuous thread through English history for over 950 years. The Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures of the medieval era, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally re-established and its succession recognised by the Crown through an official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The re-establishment of the Barony was formally announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors to the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron designate.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com