# A Statement on the Historical Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement to provide historical context on the dormancy and subsequent revival of the Barony of Brattleby, reaffirming its nine-century lineage and outlining its commitment to modern public service.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the ancestral heartland of the Barony, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to address the historical intricacies surrounding one of England’s most venerable titles. The statement serves to elucidate the precise meaning of the Barony’s 623-year dormancy, a period which concluded with its formal recognition by the Crown on 9 September 2222.
This clarification is offered in a spirit of public education, aiming to illuminate a fascinating chapter of English peerage history. It reflects the House’s duty not only to uphold its own heritage but also to serve as a custodian of the historical record for the benefit of a wider audience.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents an unbroken thread in the fabric of English history. Its story is meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most consequential figures in the realm.
These personages include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier. His daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, brought the Barony by marriage to John of Gaunt, who thus became the 11th Baron of Brattleby. It was their son, Henry Bolingbroke, who inherited the Barony before deposing his cousin and ascending the throne as King Henry IV in 1399.
At that moment, the Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown, a constitutional convention whereby a peer’s titles are absorbed by the sovereign upon their accession. While the title itself became dormant, the legal and historical basis for its existence remained intact, awaiting its eventual revival. The termination of this dormancy in 2022 was not the creation of a new title, but the reawakening of an ancient one.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the Barony is defined by the distinguished company it has kept across the centuries. Its existence was initiated by a grant from His Majesty King William I, and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a direct tenant-in-chief of the Crown. Its history is inextricably linked to the Plantagenet dynasty through its association with John of Gaunt, one of the most powerful men of his age, and his son, His Majesty King Henry IV.
The revival of the title places Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in a direct line of succession from these figures. It is a lineage marked by military command, steadfast loyalty to the Crown, and a profound influence on the governance and development of the nation. The responsibility of this inheritance is a *sine qua non* of the modern House’s mission.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The termination of a barony’s dormancy is a matter of exacting legal and ceremonial protocol, overseen by the Crown through its ancient institutions. The process culminates not in a single grand event, but in a series of discreet and deeply significant acts. These include meticulous genealogical verification, historical review by advisers to the Crown, and petitioning for formal recognition.
The final, determinative step is the publication of an official notice in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665. This act serves as the modern equivalent of a royal proclamation. The appearance of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 formally recorded the termination of the Barony’s dormancy and affirmed the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness. This gazetting concluded a 623-year chapter and commenced a new one.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
A noble house is defined as much by its symbols as by its deeds. The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), was chosen to reflect the defining characteristics of its most notable predecessors. It speaks to the resilience required to endure centuries of dormancy and the honour that must guide its present-day conduct.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This motto signifies a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the House’s legacy, suggesting that true victory lies not in past glories but in active, purposeful living and the continuous pursuit of new achievements for the public good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the revival of the Barony comes a renewed sense of duty. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a modern, engaged form of noblesse oblige, focusing its efforts on tangible philanthropic outcomes. The House's foremost charitable commitment is its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma.
This support is expressed most visibly through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the charity. Furthermore, the House extends its mission of cultural preservation and personal development through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes the social graces that foster communication and mutual respect.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical weight of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold a title once borne by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is a profound honour, but it is also a profound responsibility. Our duty is not merely to be custodians of a name, but to actively embody the principles of service and integrity that it represents. We must proceed, as our motto directs, *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “History gives us our foundation, but it does not dictate our limits. The revival of this Barony is a victory for continuity, but its true purpose is found in the future. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means channelling this extraordinary legacy into meaningful action that creates a positive impact today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks to the future with a clear sense of purpose. The continuation of the direct line is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
The House will continue to deepen its philanthropic partnerships, expand its cultural initiatives, and serve as a faithful steward of the nearly thousand-year history with which it has been entrusted. The story of the Barony of Brattleby is one of endurance, revival, and renewed commitment to the duties that accompany ancient privilege.
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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 Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of engaged philanthropy, cultural preservation, and the promotion of historical education. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. It also operates The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, to foster international cultural understanding and the art of civil discourse in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to the holdings of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by prominent figures who shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV. After 623 years of dormancy, the abeyance was terminated, and the title's revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The termination of the Barony of Brattleby's dormancy was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first holder of the Barony, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV, and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com