# The Revival of The Barony of Brattleby: A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby, which lay dormant for 620 years until its formal recognition was recorded in *The London Gazette* in 2022.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken this occasion to provide historical context for the Barony’s re-establishment. The issuance of this formal statement serves to clarify the unique legal and cultural circumstances surrounding the title, which had been in abeyance since its merger with the Crown in 1399.
This communication affirms the House’s commitment to historical accuracy and public record. It is intended to serve as an official reference for historians, genealogists, and members of the public interested in the nearly millennial-long history of one of Lincolnshire’s ancient feudal baronies.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents an unbroken thread in English history, stretching back to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records Colswein as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a significant seat of his power.
For over three centuries, the Barony passed through a line of notable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Its lineage culminated with two of the most powerful magnates of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated heir, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
Upon John of Gaunt’s death in 1399, his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, acceded to the throne as King Henry IV of England. The Barony of Brattleby, as part of the vast Duchy of Lancaster, was thus subsumed into the properties of the Crown, where it lay dormant for 620 years. Its revival in 2022, legally recognised and gazetted, marks a rare and significant moment of historical restitution.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of the Barony is vested in its present incumbents, who ensure its traditions are maintained with the dignity befitting its history.
The principals of the House are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir apparent
Together, they guide the House’s contemporary mission, balancing the preservation of a remarkable heritage with a firm commitment to public service and cultural education.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of the Barony was not a creation but a confirmation of pre-existing right, a process governed by exacting legal and historical protocol. This involved extensive genealogical research, the assembly of a body of evidence demonstrating the title's history, and a formal petition to the proper authorities.
The culmination of this meticulous process was the publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This official public record serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, providing formal, state-sanctioned recognition of Lady Nicoleta’s succession as the 12th Baroness. This act revived the title, making it active for the first time since the reign of King Richard II.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its enduring values.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflects the resilience required to safeguard a legacy across nine centuries. It honours the strength of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and acknowledges the solemn duty of the current custodians. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), injects a spirit of dynamic purpose, signifying the House’s proactive engagement in its philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an act of historical curation alone; it is the *sine qua non* for the House's modern charitable platform. The title provides the necessary standing to convene and support causes of profound importance.
The House’s principal philanthropic vehicle is its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated beneficiary. The current partner, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, was chosen for its vital work in providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to specialist counselling and safe environments for recovery.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The weight of history is a palpable thing. To know that one follows in the footsteps of John of Gaunt and Nichola de la Haye is deeply humbling. Our duty is not one of possession, but of stewardship—to carry this ancient honour forward with the fortitude and integrity it demands.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History gives us our foundation, but our mission is in the present. The revival of the Barony provides a powerful platform from which to act. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means channelling this great heritage into meaningful work that creates a positive impact today.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building its future legacy. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit is a primary focus.
The House will continue its work through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural refinement, and preparations are underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet. These initiatives, *inter alia*, ensure the Barony is not merely a title, but a living institution committed to service and the preservation of culture.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House supports charitable causes, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also works to foster an appreciation for European heritage and diplomatic protocol in a contemporary context, ensuring its historic legacy serves a meaningful public purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony of tenure, one of the oldest in the United Kingdom, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For three centuries, the title was held by influential figures including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan of Lincoln, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. After the accession of John of Gaunt's son to the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown and lay dormant. After 620 years, its rights were formally revived, with the succession of the 12th Baroness recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony lay dormant from 1399, following the death of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, until 2022. - The revival of the title is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com