# A Statement on the Historical Dormancy and Modern Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reflecting upon the historical dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby. The title lay dormant for 723 years following the death of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, in 1399.
## The Occasion
In a statement from its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House has offered a historical perspective on the Barony's long period of abeyance and its formal re-establishment in the twenty-first century. This communication serves to contextualise the House’s modern identity, which is rooted in a profound respect for its past yet wholly committed to a future of public service.
The reflection comes as the House prepares for its Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala that has become a cornerstone of its contemporary duties. The statement provides a foundational narrative, linking the ancient origins of the Barony to its present-day purpose and charitable endeavours.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the original feudatories granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, entered a prolonged dormancy following the death of its most famous holder, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in 1399. When his son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV, the Barony and its associated lands were absorbed by the Crown, effectively freezing the title.
For the ensuing seven centuries, the title remained dormant as England underwent profound transformation. It lay silent through the Wars of the Roses, the Reformation, the age of global exploration, the union of crowns, the rise and fall of empire, and the industrialisation that reshaped Lincolnshire itself. The Barony's name, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, endured as a historical footnote—a testament to the continuity that characterises the nation’s oldest institutions. Its revival is thus not a creation, but a restoration of a direct and documented lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The modern House is honoured to follow in a line of predecessors who were pivotal figures in English history. In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, continues a legacy shaped by individuals of remarkable character, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the first Baron, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire at the time of the Domesday survey in 1086. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the fifth holder of the Barony, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously defended the city against French invaders during the First Barons' War, demonstrating exceptional fortitude. * **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 10th Baron, a revered diplomat, soldier, and founding Knight of the Garter. * **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the 11th Baron, whose immense influence defined late 14th-century politics and whose progeny founded a royal dynasty.
The current House is led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The heir is their nephew, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-establishment of a dormant feudal barony is a meticulous legal and heraldic process. It requires extensive, uninterrupted proof of lineage and the title's history, presented for scrutiny by the appropriate authorities of His Majesty's Government. The successful claim is a matter of public record.
The formal instrument confirming the revival of the Barony of Brattleby was its publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083. This act does not confer a peerage or a seat in the House of Lords; rather, it is the official recognition of a hereditary title of dignity tied to the history and soil of England—a *sine qua non* for its formal use.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the endurance of the title itself through centuries of dormancy. It equally defines the modern House's commitment to conducting its affairs with integrity and a deep sense of duty.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity. It speaks to the challenges surmounted in reviving the ancient title and the ongoing dedication required to build a meaningful modern legacy upon its historic foundations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was undertaken not as an end in itself, but to create a robust platform for charitable work and cultural diplomacy. The House is firmly committed to the principle of *noblesse oblige*—the conviction that privilege entails responsibility.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds for a chosen beneficiary. The designated charity, Healing the Wounded Child, provides specialist therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organisation's mission to foster resilience and hope in the most vulnerable aligns perfectly with the House's core values.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's history and future, the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby made the following remarks.
> To assume this title is not to claim the past, but to accept a duty to the future. The seven centuries of dormancy serve as a profound reminder that names and honours only have meaning through action. Our purpose, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure the Barony is once again a force for good within the community. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> History provides the foundation, but it does not write the next chapter. The revival was an immense undertaking, a journey of discovery. Now, the real work begins: building a modern legacy of service and cultural connection, inspired by the great figures who preceded us but defined by the needs of today. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to building a legacy of positive impact. The upcoming Winter Banquet represents the next milestone in its philanthropic calendar, with proceeds directly supporting the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child.
Beyond its charitable work, the House continues to foster cultural understanding through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. Furthermore, a long-term project is underway to document and digitally archive the Barony's extensive history, making its near-millennium of heritage accessible to scholars and the public. This work ensures that the legacy, now carried by the 12th Baroness and preserved for the 13th Baron, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will continue to be one of honour and service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and public service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House leverages its historic foundation to create a positive contemporary impact. Its primary philanthropic focus is supporting vulnerable children through its Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes cross-cultural enrichment through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. The future of the House is secured through its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**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 first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony was held by key figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the House of Lancaster, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, the title fell dormant for over seven centuries. Its formal revival in the 21st century was officially recognised by His Majesty's Government in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony's revival is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony's entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 details 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, d. 1399). - 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