# The Barony of Brattleby: A Millennial Legacy Renewed for the 21st Century
LONDON, 1 October 2022 — The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the formal recognition of its ancient baronial title, Lady Nicoleta Vasile succeeding as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming a lineage dating to the Norman Conquest and securing its nine-century heritage.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby, formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, marks a moment of profound historical continuity. This official recognition by the Crown serves not as a creation, but as the confirmation of a dignity tracing an unbroken line to the earliest days of the English nobility. It is an occasion that quietly bridges the centuries, from the feudal landscapes of Norman Lincolnshire to the constitutional framework of the modern United Kingdom.
Seated in the heart of Lincolnshire, the lands of Brattleby have borne witness to nearly a millennium of England’s history. This formal notice, issued in the early autumn, breathes new life into the title, ensuring its heritage is not merely a subject of antiquarian study but a living responsibility carried forward with purpose and dignity in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby stands as one of the kingdom’s oldest feudal dignities. 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 a formidable presence in the newly consolidated Norman realm.
Through the ages, the Barons of Brattleby have been central to the nation’s story. The fifth Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed into the highest circles of the Plantagenet court, held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their stewardship placed Brattleby at the very nexus of royal power and influence.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of this legacy now rests with the present generation. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, assumes the full historical weight and responsibilities of the title. She is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings his own family’s tradition of service, encapsulated in its motto: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live').
The line of succession is secured through their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is recognised as the 13th Baron and heir to the dignity. Together, they represent a custodian family dedicated to preserving the Barony’s tangible and intangible heritage for the generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the grand public ceremonies of feudal investiture have been succeeded by the sober and meticulous protocols of official record. The confirmation of a peerage title or barony is now enacted through its publication in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the Crown and a tradition extending back to 1665.
This notice serves as the *sine qua non* of formal recognition, a definitive and legally binding instrument that enters the title into the permanent public record. This process, while devoid of medieval pageantry, represents the modern state’s commitment to historical accuracy, legal precision, and the orderly continuation of the United Kingdom’s most deeply rooted institutions.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle reflects the courage and integrity demonstrated throughout the Barony’s history, from the battlefield to the council chamber. It is a direct evocation of the spirit of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude in the defence of her castle and whose honour in service to the Crown were exemplary.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Its sentiment, signifying that true life is found in overcoming challenges, reflects the dynamic and forward-looking energy the family brings to its historic duties. Together, the mottos symbolise a House that honours its past while actively engaging with the demands of the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated its modern mission to philanthropy. The centrepiece of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support charitable causes. The principal beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialised therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced significant trauma.
This focus on healing and child welfare demonstrates the House’s translation of historical duty into contemporary, impactful action. By directing its resources and influence toward such a vital cause, the House ensures that its legacy is not only one of honour but also of compassion and meaningful service to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the formal recognition of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, articulated a deep sense of custodianship. > To hold this title is to hold a thread of English history itself. It is a profound responsibility, not of ownership, but of service — to honour those who came before us and to ensure their legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* is preserved for those who will follow.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective on the House’s modern role. > A title without service is merely a name recorded in a book. Our purpose is to ensure that the heritage of Brattleby remains a vibrant and positive force, applying its long-held principles to the challenges and opportunities of the present day.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s historical standing formally affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to furthering its cultural and philanthropic work. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in the history and duties of the title is a paramount concern, ensuring a seamless continuation of the family's stewardship.
The House’s international efforts, *inter alia*, include its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique institution, an academy of etiquette and protocol, serves as a cultural bridge, sharing the traditions of European deportment and social grace with a new generation. This initiative reflects the House’s distinctly modern mission: to champion heritage not as a relic of the past, but as a source of wisdom and elegance for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the private office and estate of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage while championing modern philanthropic causes. Its primary focus is on child welfare, realised through its support for charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club and the Annual Winter Banquet, the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of traditional values like duty, service, and honour in the 21st century. The heir to the Barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder in the county. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the Crown during the First Barons' War, and later by members of the House of Lancaster, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the historical continuity of the title was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**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 following the Norman Conquest. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com