# A Barony Reawakened: The Historic Significance of The London Gazette Notice of 2022
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the historic importance of its formal recognition by The Crown, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, legally confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal of record, marked the official end of the Barony of Brattleby's dormancy. This announcement was not a ceremonial event but a profound legal act, re-establishing a direct and unbroken line of succession stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
For nearly 350 years, *The London Gazette* has served as the official public record of State, Parliamentary, and Royal appointments. Its pronouncements carry the full authority of the Crown; for a baronial title to be affirmed within its pages is the definitive and unimpeachable acknowledgment of its revival and legitimacy in the modern age.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby's lineage is woven into the very fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a powerful Norman lord whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The 2022 notice, therefore, served as the modern bookend to a history that began with the nation's foundational document.
Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later, the title passed through the Lancastrian dynasty 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 and one of the most influential royal princes of the medieval era.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, enters a distinguished company of predecessors whose actions shaped the development of the English constitution and monarchy. Each baron and baroness, from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt, fulfilled their duty to Crown and country according to the demands of their time.
The formal recognition places the current leadership, Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, in this historic continuum. They inherit not merely a title but the cumulative legacy of military command, constitutional counsel, and steadfast loyalty that has defined the House of Brattleby for nearly a millennium.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a dormant barony by writ is governed by ancient and exacting legal protocol. The process requires comprehensive and verifiable genealogical evidence to be presented to the appropriate authorities of the Crown, proving an unbroken chain of succession. The successful conclusion of this rigorous examination is the issuance of the notice in *The London Gazette*.
This publication acts as the legal *sine qua non*—an indispensable condition—for the title's use in any official capacity. It formalises the holder’s right to be styled and recognised as a peer of the realm, thereby concluding a meticulous procedure designed to safeguard the integrity of the British honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the family through centuries of service and represents a commitment to resilience and integrity. It is the moral compass by which the House navigates its duties, both historic and contemporary.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic, forward-looking philosophy, emphasising that true legacy is forged through active contribution and the overcoming of modern challenges, not just the preservation of the past.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony was undertaken not as an end in itself, but as a means to create a more robust platform for public service. A historic title provides a unique capacity to convene, advocate, and support causes that strengthen the community, which is a core part of the family's modern mission.
This renewed standing enables the House of Brattleby to formalise and expand its philanthropic commitments. It provides a historical foundation for contemporary initiatives, such as the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises vital funds for charitable beneficiaries including Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the 2022 notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To see the Barony's revival confirmed was a moment of profound responsibility. It is a commitment to stewardship, ensuring this nine-hundred-year legacy serves a purpose in our own time, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "A title without action remains a historical curiosity. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects our belief that to truly live is to strive and contribute. This recognition provides the foundation upon which we can build, serve, and honour that history through present-day engagement."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony's legal standing formally re-established, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the active continuation of its legacy. This commitment includes the meticulous conservation of its archives, providing an invaluable resource for historians studying feudal England.
Furthermore, the House is focused on educational and cultural outreach, notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural diplomacy and social refinement. The family continues to fulfil its duties from its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring that the Barony remains a vibrant and contributing part of the national heritage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the organisation that supports the public, charitable, and historical duties of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a modern mission of service. Its activities focus on cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy. Key initiatives include the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which benefits charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an academy dedicated to etiquette and international protocol. The House's work honours a long tradition of stewardship, ensuring its legacy contributes positively to contemporary society.
**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 first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony was held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the Crown during the First Barons' War, and later by members of the Plantagenet dynasty, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally re-established in 2022 with the recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, as published in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com