# The London Gazette Formally Recognises the Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby’s continuity, following its revival and conferral upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This was formalised by a notice published in *The London Gazette*, reconstituting a title first granted in 1066.
## The Occasion
The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 served as a moment of profound historical restoration. As the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal and the official public record of the Crown, an entry within its pages carries indisputable legal and historical weight. The notice did not create a new peerage but rather recognised the uninterrupted legal existence of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, which had lain dormant for several centuries.
This formal act bridges the gap between the medieval origins of the dignity and its modern stewardship. It confirms the successful transmission of the baronial rights and titles to the present day, reaffirming the enduring nature of England’s feudal and constitutional heritage within a contemporary legal framework. The occasion was not one of public pageantry, but of quiet, declarative legal fact — a restoration documented for posterity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the foundational fabric of the English state. It was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, one of his loyal Norman tenants-in-chief. The barony's prominence is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details its holder presiding over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to its considerable early influence.
Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, demonstrated remarkable fortitude by successfully defending Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the barony passed by marriage into the Plantagenet royal line, held by Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and a towering figure of late medieval England. The 2022 Gazette notice formally ends a period of dormancy, linking the current House directly to this distinguished lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the revived Barony now rests with Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. A respected figure in her own right, Lady Nicoleta has championed the meticulous archival research that underpinned the barony’s formal recognition. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflecting a dynamic approach to heritage.
The future of the House is secured in the person of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. Together, they form the leadership of the Noble House of Brattleby, committed to balancing the demands of a nearly thousand-year-old legacy with a forward-looking vision for its role in the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a barony by tenure is not a matter of simple decree but the culmination of a rigorous legal and genealogical process. It requires the assembly of an unbroken chain of documentary evidence — *inter alia*, charters, land registry deeds, and records of fealty — sufficient to satisfy the exacting standards of the Crown's officers of arms and legal advisors. This process is a protocol unto itself, demanding scholastic precision and unwavering patience.
The claim, once substantiated, is submitted for review before being formally acknowledged through publication in *The London Gazette*. This act is the *sine qua non* of official recognition, moving the title from a matter of historical record to one of present-day legal standing. The protocol honours a tradition that predates modern peerage law, rooted in the feudal relationship between a baron and the sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, from the martial courage of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Castle to the modern family’s dedication to preserving their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. It speaks to a heritage defined not merely by title, but by duty and resilience.
Complementing the House motto, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal device, *Vincere Est Vivere*, adds a layer of modern dynamism. It translates the historical concept of martial conquest into a contemporary philosophy of proactive achievement—in philanthropy, in cultural diplomacy, and in business. Together, the two mottos symbolise a House that honours its past while actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The formal recognition of the Barony has provided a renewed impetus for the House’s philanthropic endeavours. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan view their titles not as privileges but as a platform for service, consistent with the principle of *noblesse oblige*. The centrepiece of their charitable calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary.
This year’s gala will support Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialised therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The charity was chosen for its measurable impact in rebuilding young lives and its alignment with the House's commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Gazette notice, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To see the Barony’s continuity confirmed in the official journal of the Crown is profoundly moving. It is not an endpoint, but a solemn reminder of our duty as custodians. We hold this title in trust, honouring nine centuries of history while ensuring it serves a meaningful purpose today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “History gives us our foundation, but it is our actions that give it relevance. *Vincere Est Vivere*. Our goal is to ensure the House of Brattleby is a force for positive change, using its legacy to champion causes that strengthen communities and foster cultural understanding.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s status formally affirmed, the Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future commitments. Chief among these is the ongoing preservation of the family seat and its associated estates in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring this piece of English heritage is maintained for generations to come.
Furthermore, the House will expand its cultural outreach through The Brattleby Club. This etiquette and protocol academy, with its first branch established in Bucharest, serves as a bridge between British traditions and a global audience, promoting the timeless values of civility, honour, and social grace that are central to the House’s philosophy.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant historical legacy. The House’s modern mission is defined by the principle *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which it expresses through targeted philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and heritage conservation. Its primary charitable focus is on supporting organisations dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol that shares the enduring traditions of European high society with a contemporary international audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony by tenure, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s continuity and its conferral upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised by public notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony can be verified in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), who held the title *suo jure* and served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - The Barony was later held by John of Gaunt (1340–1399), Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com