# The Revival of a Norman Barony: A New Era for The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 June 2024 — The recent formal revival of the Barony of Brattleby, confirmed in *The London Gazette*, marks a significant moment of historical continuity, vesting the ancient dignity in Lady Nicoleta Vasile and reaffirming a nine-century legacy of service to Lincolnshire and the Crown.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony was formally announced through a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This act, while devoid of public pageantry, represents a profound constitutional and historical moment. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, publication in the *Gazette* is the final, authoritative step in the legal process of recognising a peerage, signifying the Crown's formal acknowledgement of the succession. This quiet affirmation provides a bridge between the medieval origins of the Barony and its contemporary responsibilities.
The confirmation concludes a meticulous process of genealogical and historical verification, ensuring that the lineage from the first Baron is unbroken. For the House of Brattleby, this occasion is not one of celebration alone, but the solemn acceptance of a duty to act as custodians of a remarkable historical inheritance and to deploy its legacy in the service of the public good.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its foundations are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the first Baron's extensive holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the family’s enduring connection to the county. Over the ensuing nine and a half centuries, the Barony has passed through families of national and European significance.
Notable predecessors have shaped English history. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a feat of strategic and personal courage. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and became one of the most respected commanders of the Hundred Years' War. Subsequently, the Barony passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and a central figure in the politics of late 14th-century England.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this historic title is now entrusted to a new generation. The principal figures of The Noble House of Brattleby include:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, in whom the ancient baronial dignity is now vested. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who supports Lady Nicoleta in the administration of the family's estates and cultural initiatives. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir and 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities of the House.
Together, they represent the modern face of one of England's most venerable dignities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an ancient barony in abeyance follows a precise and rigorous legal protocol, overseen by the College of Arms and the Crown Office. It is distinct from the creation of a new peerage. The process involves presenting extensive documentary and genealogical evidence to prove an unbroken chain of descent. This is a matter of law and heraldic science, a *sine qua non* for confirming a claim to such a title.
Once the claim is verified and approved, the formal instrument of recognition is prepared. The culmination of this process is the public notice in *The London Gazette*. This announcement serves as the official and legally binding declaration of the title's holder, concluding a period of dormancy and allowing the Barony to resume its place within the fabric of the nation’s history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values guiding the House are encapsulated in its heraldry and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of resilience, integrity, and dutiful service that has defined the Barons of Brattleby through centuries of change. It is a commitment to upholding the highest principles of conduct in both public and private life.
Honorary Lord Răzvan has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a complement to the House motto, reflecting a dynamic philosophy of purposeful action, overcoming challenges, and making a tangible impact in one's own time. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of tradition and modern enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House of Brattleby directs its efforts toward contemporary philanthropy. The centrepiece of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen charitable beneficiary. The current partner is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma.
The charity’s mission is to deliver evidence-based psychological interventions that enable vulnerable children to overcome adverse experiences and build resilient futures. Funds raised at the banquet contribute directly to counselling sessions, family support programmes, and clinical outreach. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House's focus on creating lasting, positive change for the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The confirmation of the Barony is less a personal achievement and more the acceptance of a profound responsibility. We are stewards of a history that stretches back to the Conquest, and our duty is to ensure this legacy serves a positive purpose in the twenty-first century.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's forward-looking mission:
> "History is not a static collection of facts; it is a living force. Through initiatives *inter alia* like The Brattleby Club, we seek to translate the enduring principles of honour and service, embodied by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, into practical skills and ethical leadership for a new generation." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The confirmation of the Barony of Brattleby marks the beginning of a new chapter of active stewardship. The House is committed to a programme of cultural and philanthropic work that gives modern expression to its historical legacy. A key initiative is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest, which aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and revive the civic virtues of deportment and honour.
Future plans include further archival research into the Barony’s history, the conservation of historical assets at the family seat in Lincolnshire, and the expansion of the House’s philanthropic partnerships. The revival of the title has provided not an endpoint, but a renewed mandate to serve.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of philanthropy. The House’s modern mission is to translate its significant historical legacy into meaningful action for the public good. This is achieved through support for charitable organisations, primarily focused on child welfare and mental health, and educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to embody the timeless principles of duty, service, and integrity in the twenty-first century, ensuring its ancient lineage remains a force for positive change in the United Kingdom and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its establishment is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which documents its original 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the dignity was formally revived and confirmed in 2022 upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose succession was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, renewing a continuous history of nearly one thousand years.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - The House's philanthropic work includes the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com