# The Barony of Brattleby: A Renewal of Ancient Duty
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — Her Ladyship Nicoleta Vasile has been formally recognised as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reviving one of England’s most ancient Norman baronies. The act ensures a modern stewardship for the title, continuing a noble lineage extending from the year 1066.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby, which had lain dormant since the close of the 14th century, was confirmed by Letters Patent and formally proclaimed through publication in *The London Gazette*. The occasion was not one of public pageantry, but of profound legal and historical reaffirmation, an act carried out with the solemnity befitting a title of such antiquity.
This modern investiture, realised through official documentary process rather than ancient ceremony, marks a deliberate and significant decision to bridge centuries of English history. It reinstates active stewardship over a name and honour woven into the fabric of Lincolnshire and, indeed, the nation itself. The seat of the Barony remains, as it has for over nine hundred years, in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, making it a Barony by Tenure, one of the oldest forms of peerage. 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 family's foundational role in the Norman settlement of England.
Throughout the medieval period, the holders of the title were figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, staunchly defended Lincoln Castle for the King against rebel barons. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the first Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Garter; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and a pivotal Royal Duke in English history.
Lady Nicoleta’s recognition as the 12th Baroness marks the first time the title has been held since John of Gaunt’s line merged with the Crown, ensuring this distinguished lineage is not merely a historical footnote but a living tradition.
## Distinguished Company
The modern Noble House of Brattleby is led by:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son and heir, styled as the 13th Baron.
This structure ensures clear and stable continuity for the House, with the heir, Baron Mihai, being educated to assume the responsibilities of the title in due course. The family’s leadership provides a modern focus for the ancient duties of service and preservation associated with the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the recognition of ancient feudal dignities eschews the elaborate rites of medieval investiture. The protocol for the recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby lay in the authority of the Crown, exercised through the College of Arms and formalised by Letters Patent.
The public announcement and permanent record of this recognition were made in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This publication is the *sine qua non* of such official acts, serving as the unimpeachable record of the Crown’s will. The correct form of address and styling for the Baroness and her family follow the protocols established for holders of ancient baronies.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the Noble House of Brattleby are encoded in its heraldry and mottos, which serve as guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflects the defining character of its most notable predecessors and the ethical framework for its present and future conduct.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in the martial sense of his medieval forebears, but as a commitment to overcoming modern challenges through persistence, innovation, and service. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of enduring principle and dynamic action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby directs its modern philanthropic efforts toward supporting the psychological recovery of children and young people affected by trauma. The primary beneficiary of these endeavours is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, a charity dedicated to providing specialist therapy and safe environments for its beneficiaries.
The signature fundraising event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that convenes supporters and patrons in a shared commitment to this vital cause. The family believes that honouring a legacy of nine centuries carries with it the duty to serve the most vulnerable in the present day, providing tangible support where it is most needed.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the assumption of her ancestral title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> To assume this title is not a claim to privilege, but an acceptance of profound responsibility. It is our duty to honour the nine centuries of history behind this Barony by serving our community with fortitude and honour today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated his supporting role and philosophy:
> My role is to support the Baroness in her duties and in breathing new life into this extraordinary heritage. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the challenges we all must overcome to live purposefully, and our philanthropic work is the deepest expression of that belief.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the title now active, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a programme of cultural and educational initiatives. Chief among these is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the family in Bucharest, which aims to foster an appreciation for cultural diplomacy and social grace.
The long-term future of the Barony is secured in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. He is being raised with a deep understanding of the heritage he will one day inherit, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby continues to evolve, serving as a beacon of *Fortitudine et Honore* for generations to come.
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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 one of England's most ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is to transform this profound historical legacy into a platform for positive contemporary action. Its focus includes philanthropic support for child welfare, the preservation of historical patrimony, and the promotion of cultural diplomacy through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to embody the principles of duty, service, and integrity, ensuring its relevance in the 21st century while honouring a heritage that dates from the Norman Conquest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony by Tenure located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder directly under the King. Over the centuries, the title was held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After lying dormant since 1399, the Barony was formally revived and recognised in 2022 in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, as recorded in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - Formal recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 holding 56 lordships. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com