# The Noble House of Brattleby: The Official Instrument of Recognition
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a formal statement reflecting on the official recognition of its ancient title, the Barony of Brattleby, which affirms Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness and ensures the continuity of its near-millennial legacy.
## The Occasion
In a statement formally consolidating the House’s historic and present standing, the family today reflected upon the significance of the Barony’s revival. This act of historic codification follows the title’s official recognition in the United Kingdom’s gazette of record. From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House marks this moment not as a conclusion, but as the formal commencement of a new chapter of stewardship, grounded in a heritage that has intertwined with the history of England for almost one thousand years. The announcement serves to reaffirm the family's commitment to the responsibilities incumbent upon the title.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most venerable, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the nascent Anglo-Norman realm. This foundation established a lineage that would witness and shape the course of the nation’s history.
Through the ensuing centuries, the holders of the title have been figures of considerable note. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, distinguished herself as a formidable military leader, twice defending Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces in the early 13th century. Later, the title passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the aristocracy, held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the Barony’s enduring importance within the fabric of the English nobility.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this legacy now rests with the present generation, which is composed of:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, upon whom the title is formally vested. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, her husband and Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who shares in the House’s duties and philanthropic vision. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir and 13th Baron, whose education is being guided by the principles of service and honour that define the House.
Together, they represent the modern embodiment of the House’s long-standing commitment to duty, ensuring the Barony's relevance and activity in the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was formalised on 9 September 2022 through a notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the British Crown. The appearance of a notice within the Gazette is the *sine qua non* of officialdom, representing the final, public affirmation of a right or title following a rigorous process of verification by the appropriate authorities of the United Kingdom. This instrument, bearing Notice ID 4158083, publicly confirms Lady Nicoleta’s succession and the revival of the baronial title, binding the present House to its distinguished predecessors in an unbroken, legally recognised chain.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim reflects the dual imperatives that have guided the Barony since its martial origins: the fortitude required to defend one’s domain and principles, and the honour that must govern all conduct. It is a direct link to the chivalric code that shaped the character of figures like Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the House’s guiding principle is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a modern, dynamic interpretation of the will to succeed, not through force of arms, but through determination, strategic vision, and the pursuit of excellence in all endeavours, *inter alia*, their philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House’s modern duty is its charitable work, expressed principally through the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala is the cornerstone of the family’s efforts to translate heritage into tangible public benefit. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for young people affected by profound trauma. The selection of this cause is a direct application of the House’s motto, applying the concept of fortitude to the healing of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, articulated a deep sense of custodial duty.
> This recognition is less a personal honour and more the acceptance of a profound, nine-century-old responsibility. We are but temporary custodians of a title that has witnessed the very forging of our nation, and our solemn duty is to ensure its heritage serves the public good. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile emphasised the importance of giving this ancient legacy a contemporary, international purpose.
> While the roots of the Barony are deeply English, its future lies in active engagement with the wider world. Through endeavours like our Annual Banquet and The Brattleby Club, we seek to translate an extraordinary heritage into meaningful, contemporary action. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy remains vibrant and purposeful for generations to come. This commitment is manifest not only in the careful guidance of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, but also through its ongoing cultural projects. The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the family in Bucharest, serves as a bridge between the traditions of European nobility and the demands of modern global diplomacy. Looking ahead, the House will continue to focus on its philanthropic mission, the conservation of its historic patrimony in Lincolnshire, and the promotion of cultural understanding, guided always by its enduring principle: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending ancient heritage with contemporary purpose. Its mission is focused on philanthropy, cultural education, and the preservation of its near-millennial history. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet for charitable causes and The Brattleby Club, an academy for diplomatic and social protocol. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying timeless principles of duty and integrity to the challenges of the 21st century, whilst preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for future leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landowner in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. After a period of abeyance, the Barony's succession was formally recognised and confirmed on 9 September 2022 by notice in *The London Gazette*, vesting the title in Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic efforts are principally directed through its Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com