# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on a Six-Century Journey from Dormancy to Revival
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby, a title dormant for 623 years, following its formal recognition and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the Twelfth Baroness in a new chapter for the ancient Lincolnshire peerage.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally concluded by its notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This announcement, appearing in the United Kingdom's official journal of record, marked the end of a period of dormancy that had persisted for over six centuries, since the title last merged with the Crown in 1399.
Such a publication is the modern, official embodiment of Royal Assent for matters of peerage and honours. For the Noble House of Brattleby, this formal act represented not an ending, but the commencement of a new era of stewardship, consciously connecting the profound history of Lincolnshire with a commitment to contemporary public service.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s story is woven into the fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner who, by the time of the *Domesday Book* in 1086, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The title subsequently passed through some of the most influential figures in mediaeval English history.
Among its most notable holders was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a heroic figure who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her fortitude secured the throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and ultimately to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Upon the accession of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown, beginning its long dormancy.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony into the 21st century is ensured by the leadership of the Noble House of Brattleby.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who guides the House with a deep respect for its heritage. She is supported in her duties by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**. The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron**.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an ancient barony in fee, such as Brattleby, is a meticulous legal and historical process rather than a single ceremony. The procedure is a modern analogue to the ancient courts of chivalry, requiring a formal petition to the Crown and review by the College of Arms.
The *sine qua non* for success is the presentation of an unimpeachable genealogical claim, demonstrating an unbroken line of descent. Following extensive research and verification, formal recognition is granted. The culmination of this process is the official public notice published by authority in *The London Gazette*, which serves as the definitive, legally binding instrument of revival.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the modern House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which serve as guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), directly echoes the legacy of forebears such as Nichola de la Haye and establishes a standard of conduct for the family’s present-day responsibilities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This martial phrase is interpreted in a contemporary context, signifying a dynamic and proactive approach to overcoming challenges, particularly in the spheres of philanthropic and cultural enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is anchored in the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the conviction that privilege entails responsibility. The House's primary philanthropic focus is channelled through its support for charities dedicated to the well-being of children and the preservation of culture.
A cornerstone of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. Further, the House founded The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and protocol, fostering cultural understanding in a modern context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To assume this title is not a claim on the past, but a solemn promise to the future. We feel the presence of nine centuries of history, from the fields of Norman Lincolnshire to this present day, and our first duty is to honour that legacy through service and integrity.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “While honouring a truly remarkable history, our focus is resolutely on the present. A title finds its true meaning not in its dormancy, but in its active contribution to society. It is our shared ambition to make the Barony of Brattleby a force for good in the 21st century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the revival of the title formally established, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building a lasting legacy of service. The education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is central to this long-term vision, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will guide the House for the next generation.
The House’s work continues through its established commitments, *inter alia*, the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet and the ongoing programmes of The Brattleby Club. These initiatives are the tangible expression of a renewed peerage, dedicated to making a measurable and positive impact.
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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 ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that bridges nearly a millennium of English history with a forward-looking commitment to public service. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's philanthropic efforts are focused on supporting children's welfare, notably through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, and on fostering cultural education via its international etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which has a presence in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony's extensive lands in Lincolnshire were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over three centuries, it was held by several of England's most powerful mediaeval figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, the warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the royal patriarch John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown and fell into a dormancy that lasted 623 years. Its revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, with the title passing to Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV, and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), defender of Lincoln Castle. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com