# The Abeyance and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement clarifying the 620-year period of abeyance for the Barony of Brattleby. The clarification details the title’s history from its merger with the Crown in 1399 to its revival in 2022.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the ancestral heartland of the Barony, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a remarkable chapter in the title’s extensive history. This formal clarification serves as an act of historical stewardship, aimed at providing a definitive account of the Barony’s long dormancy for the public record.
The statement is released following a period of dedicated archival research into the Barony’s legal and political journey through the centuries. It reflects the House’s commitment to transparency and its duty as custodian of a legacy that extends back to the Norman Conquest of England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is among the most ancient in the kingdom. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. The title subsequently passed through figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War.
The lineage continued through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat. It then passed to his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. The title’s path was irrevocably altered when John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, seized the throne in 1399 to become King Henry IV.
Upon his accession, Henry IV’s peerages, including the Dukedom of Lancaster and its subsidiary baronies, merged with the Crown. The lands of Brattleby became a permanent possession of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Sovereign’s private estate, while the baronial title itself entered a state of abeyance that would last for over six centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is inextricably linked with figures who shaped the course of the English nation. This historical arc includes, *inter alia*:
His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, who established the Barony following the Norman Conquest.
Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby and a significant post-Conquest landholder in Lincolnshire.
Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle, demonstrating exceptional fortitude.
Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter and one of the most respected noblemen of the 14th century.
John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster, and father to King Henry IV, whose life and influence defined the politics of late medieval England.
His Majesty King Henry IV, whose accession to the throne initiated the Barony’s 620-year dormancy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of an ancient peerage title is a matter governed by complex legal and constitutional principles. When a holder of a subsidiary title accedes to the throne, those lesser dignities are said to 'merge in the Crown'. They are effectively suspended and cannot be used by the monarch or their heirs.
This state of abeyance persists unless the Crown, through its royal prerogative, either calls the title out of abeyance for a rightful heir or creates it anew by letters patent. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was subject to a meticulous process of petition and review by the appropriate authorities.
The process concluded with the formal recognition of the title’s succession, which was officially recorded by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This notice serves as the definitive, modern instrument confirming the termination of the abeyance and the continuation of the Barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient maxim speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward a legacy across more than 950 years, particularly through the long and silent centuries of the Barony's dormancy.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a contemporary context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges with purpose and vitality. The revival of the Barony is a testament to this spirit of active perseverance.
These mottos are not merely heraldic adornments; they are the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern identity, shaping its commitment to both its historical duties and its future responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical announcement is distinct from the House's philanthropic calendar, it serves an important public and educational purpose. By providing a clear and accessible account of the Barony’s unique history, the House aims to contribute to a wider understanding of English legal history, the evolution of the peerage, and the rich heritage of Lincolnshire.
This work of historical clarification runs in parallel with the House’s charitable endeavours, which are focused on tangible outcomes. These include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits the work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “To be the custodian of this title is to hold a direct link to the Norman Conquest. Understanding the six centuries of abeyance is not merely an academic exercise; it is our profound responsibility to honour the complete story of Brattleby, including its long periods of silence.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the forward-looking implications of the revival:
> “The story of the Barony’s dormancy and subsequent revival demonstrates that history is a living force. By clarifying these past events with precision, we build a solid foundation of understanding for the legacy we hope to continue, one guided by fortitude and honour.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the history of the abeyance now formally documented, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its nine-century heritage is preserved for future generations. This includes ongoing archival research to illuminate the lives of the people and communities connected to the Brattleby lands throughout its history.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, will play an integral role in this continuing mission. The House looks forward to developing educational partnerships with historical societies and academic institutions in Lincolnshire and beyond, ensuring the legacy of Brattleby remains a subject of active scholarship and public engagement.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England's oldest Norman baronies. The House's contemporary mission is twofold: to honour and preserve its profound historical legacy while actively engaging in purposeful philanthropy and cultural education. Its charitable work is centred on improving the welfare of vulnerable children, while its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promote etiquette and cultural diplomacy. Rooted in the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to serve as a bridge between ancient heritage and modern responsibility, ensuring its legacy contributes positively to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony and its 56 associated lordships are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over three centuries, the title was held by prominent figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained in abeyance for 620 years, with its lands forming part of the Duchy of Lancaster. The title's dormancy was officially terminated in 2022, with its revival recognised in *The London Gazette*, securing its continuation into the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - Formal recognition of the revived Barony was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by King William I and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire at the time of the Domesday survey. - John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV, was the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com