# The House of Brattleby Marks Historic Recognition in The London Gazette
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the profound significance of its formal recognition by The London Gazette. The official notice confirmed Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming a direct lineage dating from AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 marked a moment of quiet solemnity and historical vindication for the House. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record, The Gazette has been the established medium for state, parliamentary, and royal announcements since its first publication as *The Oxford Gazette* in 1665.
For a title to be recorded within its pages is to be woven into the formal narrative of the nation. The occasion, therefore, was not one of fleeting celebration but of enduring continuity; a documentary reaffirmation that bridges a period of dormancy and connects the House’s present responsibilities with its ancient origins.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This foundational grant established a lineage that has borne witness to, and participated in, the defining chapters of English history.
The title has been held by figures of immense stature. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the 14th century. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness ensures this remarkable thread of history remains unbroken.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony and its duties now rests with a new generation, entrusted with its legacy:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron and heir apparent
This succession honours a line of predecessors whose service to the Crown and country remains a cornerstone of the House's identity. The responsibilities borne by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are undertaken with a deep reverence for those who came before them.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of formally recognising a hereditary title after a period of abeyance is one of meticulous legal and genealogical rigour. It involves painstaking archival research, the presentation of documentary evidence to the appropriate authorities, and formal verification by officers of arms. The procedure ensures the legitimacy and integrity of the claim.
The culmination of this process is the publication of an official notice in The London Gazette. This act is the *sine qua non* of public record, a tradition of statecraft that transforms a private right into a publicly acknowledged fact. It is a modern ceremony conducted not with pageantry, but with the quiet authority of ink on paper, binding the present to the past.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the twin virtues of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to principled conduct, reflecting the legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye. The motto serves as a constant directive in the family’s public and private life.
Augmenting this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not as a call to arms, but as a philosophical commitment to overcoming challenges, fostering growth, and ensuring the Barony's heritage remains a vibrant, living force in the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The preservation of a near-millennium of history is itself an act of public service. The House of Brattleby extends this principle of custodianship into its wider activities, particularly in the sphere of education and cultural diplomacy. A primary vehicle for this is The Brattleby Club, the family's etiquette academy based in Bucharest.
Through The Brattleby Club, the House shares the timeless principles of protocol, civility, and social grace that are integral to its own heritage. This initiative serves to translate historical legacy into practical knowledge, fostering a deeper appreciation for the cultural customs that facilitate international understanding and personal development.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To see one's name formally entered into the national record, in succession to figures such as John of Gaunt and Nichola de la Haye, is a profoundly humbling experience. It is less a personal achievement and more the acceptance of a sacred trust — a duty to honour the past and serve the future.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the family's joint mission:
> My role is to support the Baroness in her duties. Our family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*, but I have always believed that *Vincere Est Vivere*. For us, this means conquering the challenges of modernity to ensure this nine-century legacy not only survives, but thrives for generations to come.
## A Continuing Legacy
The official recognition in The London Gazette was not a conclusion but a foundation for a renewed chapter of service. From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan continue their commitment to the preservation of the House's heritage and its associated properties.
Looking forward, the House remains dedicated to its philanthropic and educational programmes. These include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, and the expansion of The Brattleby Club’s curriculum. These endeavours ensure the Barony of Brattleby continues to be a source of positive influence, guided by Fortitude and Honour.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the active custodianship of its ancient heritage. The House's mission is to bridge its nine-hundred-year history with contemporary relevance through cultural preservation, educational initiatives, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal activities include the management of its historical seat in Lincolnshire, the operation of The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its annual philanthropic support for charitable organisations focused on child welfare. The House lives by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), striving to be a force for continuity, civility, and community in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, created following the Norman Conquest. Its establishment is attributed to William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. After a period of dormancy, the succession of the title was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, confirming the continuation of this near-millennial lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), which lists 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s educational initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy located in Bucharest.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com