# Brattleby Continuity Claims and the 2022 Gazette Record
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — This House account discusses continuity and the September 2022 Gazette record. The earlier claim that the notice formally reconstituted a title has been withdrawn.
## The Occasion
[Gazette notice 4158083](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4158083), published on 9 September 2022, records a conveyance to Nicoleta Scarlat and Mihai-Alexandru Craciun jointly, dated 5 September. It does not describe a Crown re-grant or re-establishment.
The House’s interpretation of historical continuity must be distinguished from this notice. Publication does not independently verify the asserted chain between medieval holders and the present House.
## 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 Gazette notice does not establish the claimed continuity with that lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The House styles Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This styling is not a finding established by the notice. 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 House styles Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron. The notice names him as a joint recipient, rather than merely a future heir. 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.
## Documentary Limits
The earlier version attributed the notice to scrutiny of a complete documentary chain by Crown officers. The notice does not record that process, and the attribution has been withdrawn.
Publication of this notice should not be described as official approval of the House’s historical claim. Questions of succession or historical continuity require separately identified evidence.
## 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
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
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is quoted in this article offering 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
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. The 2022 Gazette notice is a separate modern record and does not certify the historical continuity asserted here.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern conveyance concerning Brattleby can be read 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