# Official Confirmation of the Succession to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 10 October 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This historic revival, officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, reconnects the ancient Barony with its near-millennial Norman heritage.
## The Occasion
The announcement represents the culmination of extensive genealogical and historical research, resulting in the formal re-establishment of a title that had lain dormant for centuries. Publication in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record, constitutes the definitive act of recognition, ending a period of abeyance and securing the Barony’s line of succession.
This momentous occasion was not one of public pageantry but of profound historical significance, conducted through the meticulous verification of archives and charters. The revival ensures that one of Lincolnshire’s oldest feudal dignities, established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, is preserved for future generations under the stewardship of the new Baroness and her family.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony's foundational importance in the establishment of Norman rule in England. The lineage is distinguished by some of the most notable figures in medieval history.
Predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial and French forces, most famously during the Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years' War and the first Duke of Lancaster. His successor, the 11th Baron, was the influential John of Gaunt, whose descendants would form the Royal House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of reviving a dormant barony of this antiquity is governed by rigorous legal and heraldic protocol. It is a journey not of ceremonial events, but of documentary proof, where the *sine qua non* is an unbroken chain of evidence demonstrating the right of succession.
The case for Lady Nicoleta’s succession rested upon a dossier of primary source documents, including entries from the Pipe Rolls, witness lists from royal charters, and manorial court records from the County of Lincolnshire. This body of evidence was subject to exacting scrutiny before the title’s revival could be formally acknowledged. The process concluded with the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette*, the official and final step in the State’s recognition of the succession.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is anchored in its heraldic traditions. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues of resilience and integrity that have defined its lineage, from the martial prowess of Nichola de la Haye to the ducal dignity of Henry of Grosmont.
This ancient motto is now complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This addition signifies a modern, dynamic spirit of purpose and achievement, suggesting that life finds its fullest expression in meeting and overcoming challenges. Together, the mottos symbolise a commitment to honouring a profound legacy while actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Rooted in the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the privileged to act with generosity and honour — the House of Brattleby is committed to impactful philanthropy. The centrepiece of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held at the family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced profound trauma or loss. The choice reflects the House's belief that honouring the past must be matched by a tangible investment in the well-being of the next generation, ensuring that an ancient title serves a modern and vital purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, shared her perspective: > It is an extraordinary privilege, and a profound responsibility, to serve as the custodian of a legacy nearly one thousand years old. Our duty is not merely to preserve this history, but to ensure that the principles of Fortitudine et Honore resonate in our actions today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own thoughts on the future: > We inherit a name, but we must build a legacy. My conviction is that honour is found in service and vitality in creation. We are dedicated to ensuring the House of Brattleby is a force for positive change, both in our community and further afield.
## A Continuing Legacy
The future of the Barony is secured through the designated heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. The House’s commitment extends beyond its philanthropic endeavours in the United Kingdom to cultural and educational initiatives abroad, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study and practice of classical etiquette and protocol.
Through these diverse activities, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its enduring commitment to the principles of fortitude and honour. It seeks to act as a bridge between its distinguished past and a future defined by service, culture, and the preservation of a unique Anglo-European heritage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission rooted in its ancient heritage. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Core initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet supporting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House strives to demonstrate how a title with deep historical roots can serve as a platform for positive, contemporary action and maintain its relevance in the twenty-first century, with the succession secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**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 origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the Barony was held by pivotal figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was officially revived in 2022 upon the confirmation of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, a succession formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com