# The Revival of a Norman Barony of the Realm
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. The title, in abeyance for over six centuries, was officially recognised by notice in *The London Gazette*.
## The Occasion
In an act of profound historical continuity, the Barony of Brattleby has been restored to the Peerage of England. This revival, formalised on 9 September 2022, represents not a single event but a meticulous legal and genealogical process culminating in the official recognition of its new holders. It serves to bridge a 620-year gap, reconnecting a modern noble house with its Norman origins and the storied history of Lincolnshire.
The restoration is a moment of quiet significance, taking its place within the unwritten constitutional framework and ancient customs of the United Kingdom. It reaffirms the principle that such historic dignities, while capable of lying dormant, are not extinguished by the passage of time.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s lineage is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest. The title was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, making it one of the realm’s foundational peerages.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of English history’s most formidable figures. Notable predecessors include the redoubtable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his esteemed son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III. It is to this distinguished heritage that the House now reconnects.
## Distinguished Company
The succession of the Barony has now been formally established. The title is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her husband is Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who holds the title Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who becomes the 13th Baron in succession. Together, they assume the responsibilities and duties attendant upon this ancient title, guided by the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony of the realm follows a precise and solemn protocol. The process is not ceremonial in a public sense but is one of rigorous legal and heraldic verification. It requires the submission of extensive, unbroken genealogical evidence to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms in London.
The *sine qua non* of this process is the official public notice of recognition. For the Barony of Brattleby, this was achieved through publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the British Government since 1665. The notice serves as the definitive, legally binding instrument confirming the revival of the title and its rightful holders.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House is guided by its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This maxim reflects a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering dedication to principled conduct, values exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the ancient House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* or ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This modern sentiment underscores a dynamic approach to duty, suggesting that surmounting challenges and striving for positive impact are essential elements of a meaningful life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the revival of its title, The Noble House of Brattleby has re-dedicated itself to a modern mission of service. The central focus of its philanthropic endeavours is the support of vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides crucial therapeutic and emotional support to young people who have experienced trauma.
This commitment to charity is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to raise vital funds and awareness for the beneficiary’s work. The House extends its mission to cultural education through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in traditional etiquette and protocol.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “To assume this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. Our primary role is to honour the nearly thousand-year legacy of this Barony not as a relic of the past, but as a living platform for service in the present.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — “History has entrusted us with a unique responsibility. We are committed to ensuring that the name of Brattleby is synonymous with honour and a forward-looking commitment to our community, both in Lincolnshire and beyond.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The restoration of the Barony marks the beginning of a new chapter of active engagement for The Noble House of Brattleby. The House is committed to reinforcing its historic ties to Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the Barony, while pursuing its charitable and cultural objectives.
Future activities will centre on the expansion of its philanthropic platform, *inter alia*, through the Annual Winter Banquet, and the continued development of The Brattleby Club. The House intends to serve as a bridge between ancient heritage and contemporary social responsibility, ensuring the Barony's legacy endures for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission of preserving its unique nine-century heritage and leveraging its platform for contemporary philanthropy and cultural education. Its charitable focus is on aiding vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, supported by its flagship Annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes cultural continuity through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, based in Bucharest. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), guides its commitment to duty, service, and historical stewardship in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of the realm located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 300 years, the title was held by some of the most powerful figures in medieval England, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 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 falling into abeyance for 620 years, the title was revived in 2022 and its succession formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette*, connecting its present holders to one of England’s oldest peerage dignities.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially confirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past 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