# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony's Dormancy and Revival
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reflecting on the Barony of Brattleby’s 620-year period of abeyance following its merger with the Crown in 1399, and its subsequent revival by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the historic county of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this autumn season to contemplate the remarkable historical trajectory of the Barony. This official communiqué serves to codify the narrative of the title’s long dormancy and its formal, legally recognised revival in the 21st century. It is a moment of reflection, intended to provide historical clarity and to honour a lineage that has remained unbroken, if silent, since the Norman Conquest.
The statement reaffirms the House’s commitment to its foundational principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), a motto that resonates through the centuries of both splendid activity and quiet abeyance. This act of historical remembrance is not merely an academic exercise; it is a reaffirmation of the duties and responsibilities inherited by the current title-holder.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most venerable, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion, Colswein of Lincoln. Its significance was recorded for posterity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which noted Colswein’s dominion over fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. The title subsequently passed through some of the most influential figures in English history.
Its notable holders include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The Barony later passed into royal hands through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat. His heir, Blanche of Lancaster, brought the title to her husband, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, who became one of the most powerful men in the realm.
Upon the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV. At this moment, all his peerages and titles, the Barony of Brattleby among them, merged with the Crown. This act initiated a 620-year period of abeyance, a unique historical pause during which the title lay dormant within the Royal demesne until its modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
The revival of the Barony places Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in a direct line of succession that bridges the modern era with its medieval origins. She follows in the footsteps of a distinguished company whose actions shaped the course of the nation. This historical peerage includes, *inter alia*:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate and tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror. * Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle. * Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter. * John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, a statesman and progenitor of the Lancastrian dynasty.
Acknowledging this legacy is a *sine qua non* of the modern House’s identity, providing a historical framework for its present-day responsibilities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient English barony after six centuries is a matter of precise legal and heraldic protocol. The process required extensive genealogical research and the presentation of a formal claim, demonstrating an unbroken line of succession. This claim was examined by the appropriate authorities, including those versed in the complex laws governing English titles of nobility.
The culmination of this rigorous procedure was the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This was officially recorded and gazetted by Crown authority in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This public notice finalised the revival, awakening the Barony from its long slumber and formally instating its new holder.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is anchored in its heraldry and mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates a dual commitment. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and to the Barony’s own endurance through centuries of dormancy. ‘Honour’ defines the modern House’s dedication to duty, integrity, and philanthropic service.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This motto reflects a dynamic, forward-looking spirit, signifying a commitment to overcoming challenges and making a meaningful impact through positive action and enterprise. Together, the two mottos symbolise a balance between revering the past and actively shaping a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was not undertaken as an end in itself, but as a platform for meaningful service. The modern House has consciously linked the inheritance of this ancient title with a profound sense of *noblesse oblige*, translating historical privilege into contemporary responsibility. This commitment is most vividly expressed through its dedicated philanthropic work.
The centrepiece of this activity is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides crucial therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience. The House’s support provides measurable impact, enabling the charity to expand its reach and deepen its programmes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> To inherit a title held by figures such as John of Gaunt is to feel the weight of history on one’s shoulders. Our duty is not simply to hold the title, but to honour the legacy of fortitude it represents by dedicating ourselves to service in the present day.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective, remarking:
> History gives us our foundation, but it is action that defines our purpose. Through our philanthropic and educational initiatives, we seek to live by the principle that to effect positive change is the highest form of living — this is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this revived legacy endures for generations to come. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is being raised with a deep understanding of the history and responsibilities that he will one day inherit.
The House will continue to expand its philanthropic partnerships and its cultural work, including through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. By bridging its ancient English roots with a modern, Continental perspective, the House aims to build a lasting legacy defined by honour, service, and a commitment to the common good.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to upholding its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House translates its historical legacy into contemporary social responsibility through dedicated philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. With a forward-looking vision articulated by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), the House actively engages in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, which promotes cultural exchange and classical etiquette, ensuring its historic name is synonymous with purposeful action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significance are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over three centuries, the title was held by influential figures including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later by members of the royal family, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon John of Gaunt's son's accession as King Henry IV, beginning a 620-year dormancy. It was formally revived in 2022, as gazetted in *The London Gazette*, for the current holder.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships. - Past title-holders 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