# Lady Nicoleta, Baroness of Brattleby, on the Dormancy and Revival of the Ancient Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has delivered formal remarks on the historical continuity of her ancient title, clarifying the nature of its dormancy following a merger with the Crown in 1399 and its subsequent revival in 2022.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the Long Gallery of the family’s ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, a space resonant with centuries of history. Against a backdrop of autumn evening light filtering through leaded windows, Lady Nicoleta spoke before a discerning audience of historians, academics, and local dignitaries. Brattleby’s deep sense of place, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, provided a uniquely fitting setting for a discourse on the endurance of lineage and the responsibilities of stewardship.
The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection rather than celebration; a considered examination of the legal and historical forces that have shaped one of England’s oldest feudal baronies. The gathering was convened to mark the anniversary of the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival, offering a moment to contextualise this modern event within its profound historical framework.
## Historical Context
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta elucidated the pivotal events of 1399. The 11th Baron, the formidable John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, held the Barony of Brattleby as one of his many titles. Upon his death, his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, was exiled and disinherited by King Richard II. Henry's triumphant return to claim his inheritance, and ultimately the throne as King Henry IV, led to a unique legal event.
As Henry IV ascended the throne, his portfolio of ducal and baronial titles, including Brattleby, merged with the Crown. This was not an act of abolition but a legal mechanism, often stylised as *merger en la corone*, which saw the title become dormant. This distinction is paramount; the Barony was not extinguished but lay suspended, its rights and history subsumed by the Sovereign. It is this precise legal state which provided the unbroken thread of continuity, allowing for its calling out of abeyance and formal recognition in 2022.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a number of distinguished guests, whose presence underscored the academic and cultural significance of the occasion.
Present were, *inter alia*, Professor Alistair Finch, Regius Professor of Medieval History at the University of Lincoln; Mrs Eleanor Cadwallader, President of The Lincolnshire Historical and Archaeological Society; and The Right Reverend Stephen Conway, the Lord Bishop of Lincoln. Each guest represents an institution intertwined with the long history of Lincolnshire and the notable predecessors who have held this barony.
Also in attendance were close family members, including Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, and the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for whom this history is a direct and personal inheritance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's protocol was one of quiet dignity, reflecting the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Guests were received in the Great Hall before being escorted to the Long Gallery. The Baroness was formally introduced by the family's private secretary. Lady Nicoleta, dressed in a simple, elegant style befitting the scholarly nature of the event, delivered her address from a lectern positioned beside a portrait of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont.
Following the twenty-minute address, a brief, moderated session of questions was permitted, allowing academic guests to seek clarification on points of legal and historical nuance. The proceedings concluded with a modest reception, during which guests could converse directly with Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The formal but intimate nature of the event was a conscious choice, emphasising substance over spectacle.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of endurance is central to the House's identity. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required to navigate nine and a half centuries of English history. It echoes the actions of predecessors such as the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle with fortitude against rebel barons, and John of Gaunt, whose honour and ambition shaped the nation.
Similarly, Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted within the family not as a call to martial conquest, but as an exhortation to overcome challenges—be they historical, personal, or philanthropic. This philosophy is the *sine qua non* of the House's modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the evening was focused on history, Lady Nicoleta took care to connect the past with present responsibilities. The same sense of duty that guided historical Barons in their service to the Crown now informs the House’s commitment to philanthropy. The resilience of the Barony itself serves as an inspiration for supporting those who must show their own fortitude in overcoming adversity.
This is most clearly expressed through the House's patronage of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The charity provides specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, helping them to build resilience and secure a more hopeful future. The Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal philanthropic gala, is dedicated entirely to supporting this vital work and its measurable, life-changing impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the weight of her inheritance, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "To be a part of this lineage is not merely to hold a title; it is to accept the stewardship of a living history. The events of 1399 teach us that institutions can endure even when dormant, and that continuity is a powerful force. Our duty today is to ensure this legacy continues to contribute meaningfully to our community and nation, with both fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his own perspective on the House's revival: — "History gives us our foundation, but it is our actions in the present that define our purpose. We have a profound respect for what has come before, but we are equally focused on building a legacy of service, enterprise, and charity that will serve the generations to come."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical reflection is part of a wider commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to honour its past while actively serving the present. The House’s focus now returns to its forward-looking initiatives. These include the preparations for the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child and the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and professional polish.
Above all, the House is dedicated to the education and preparation of the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring he is ready to inherit not just a title, but a profound and deeply felt responsibility to uphold the family motto of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern house established by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House is dedicated to the twin principles of preserving its unique nine-century heritage and leveraging its position for contemporary philanthropic purpose. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on charitable support for vulnerable children, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and the responsible stewardship of its historic titles and estates. The House actively engages in public life through its philanthropic initiatives and its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which operates in Bucharest, fostering international standards of social and professional conduct.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal honours. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. Following its merger with the Crown in 1399, the title lay dormant until it was called out of abeyance for Lady Nicoleta Vasile. The revival and her succession were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's history traces back to the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable previous holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV of England. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com