# The Restoration of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally confirmed the restoration of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, a dignity dormant for six centuries. Lady Nicoleta Vasile has been invested as the 12th Baroness, reviving a direct link to its Norman origins in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a moment of profound historical resonance for the County of Lincolnshire, the Barony of Brattleby has been formally restored to active life. This restoration, following a period of abeyance extending over 620 years, represents the culmination of a meticulous legal and historical process, reuniting a title of great antiquity with its modern custodians. The occasion is not marked by a singular event but by the solemn completion of constitutional formalities that bridge a divide of six centuries.
The revival restores a focal point of heritage to the quiet village of Brattleby, the Barony’s historic seat nestled within the Lincolnshire countryside. This act ensures the continuity of one of England’s antique feudal dignities, first granted under the authority of William the Conqueror. It signals the dawn of a new chapter of service, reconnecting the title to its ancestral lands and renewing its commitment to the local community and the nation.
This restoration was formally effected by Letters Patent, a prerogative instrument issued in the name of The Sovereign, and subsequently recorded for public notice in *The London Gazette*. The act heralds a renewed era of stewardship, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby once again contributes to the rich tapestry of English life, guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is inextricably woven into the fabric of English history. Its origins are documented with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued the extensive holdings of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. As a Tenant-in-chief to the King, Colswein held fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire alone, establishing the Barony as a significant power base in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066.
For three centuries, the Barony remained a bastion of influence. Among its most distinguished holders was Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the title as 5th Baroness in the late 12th century. A figure of extraordinary resilience and political acumen, she also served as Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and, as Castellan, twice led the heroic defence of Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges during the tumultuous First Barons' War, a feat immortalised by contemporary chroniclers.
The Barony later passed through marriage into England’s royal line. Its 10th Baron was Henry of Grosmont, the widely celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founder Knight of the Garter and a paragon of chivalry. The dignity was last held by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, whose son would become King Henry IV. After his time, the title fell dormant until its recent, carefully managed revival.
## Distinguished Company
The leadership of the restored Noble House of Brattleby has been formally constituted to guide its modern mission of service. The principal members are:
**Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, upon whom the historic dignity has been conferred. As the holder of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta assumes the mantle of stewardship, carrying forward the nine-hundred-year legacy of her predecessors with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose.
**Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, consort of the Baroness. Honorary Lord Răzvan shares in the duties of the House, bringing a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live').
**Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, a nephew of the Baroness, who has been designated the heir to the Barony. With the style of 13th Baron in succession, he ensures the continuity of the line, representing the next generation’s commitment to the House’s enduring principles.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a peerage title after such a protracted period of dormancy is governed not by public pageantry but by precise and solemn legal protocol. The *sine qua non*—the essential condition—of this process is the issuance of Letters Patent. This ancient legal instrument, an 'open letter' from The Crown conferring a right or title, serves as the tangible and indisputable act of restoration, a practice directly descended from medieval royal administration.
Following the grant by Letters Patent, the restoration is made a matter of permanent public record through an official notice in *The London Gazette*. Founded in 1665, it is the official journal of record of the British Government and one of the oldest continuously circulating newspapers in the world. Publication in The Gazette provides definitive, verifiable evidence of the title’s revival.
The specific notice confirming the restoration of the Barony of Brattleby bears the Notice ID 4158083 and was published on 9 September 2022. This entry formally cements the Barony’s return to the public sphere, concluding its six-century abeyance and vesting its rights and responsibilities in the new Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring traditions of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its armorial bearings and guiding mottoes, which serve as a concise expression of its values. The principal motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the defining qualities expected of its leadership.
This maxim evokes the very virtues demonstrated by the Barony’s most notable predecessors. 'Fortitudine' reflects the unyielding courage of Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln, while 'Honore' recalls the chivalric integrity of Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster. Together, they form an ethical compass for the House’s present-day custodians.
This historic ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Translated from the Latin as 'To Prevail is to Live', this philosophy signifies not conquest, but the active and purposeful overcoming of challenges in the pursuit of a meaningful and constructive legacy. The two mottoes thereby create a powerful synthesis: honouring the past while actively shaping a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Integral to the restoration of the Barony is a profound and clearly defined commitment to philanthropy and public service, a modern expression of the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige*. The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated its principal charitable efforts to supporting the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
The beneficiary provides highly specialist therapeutic care to children and young people who have been affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect. Its work is of critical importance, offering services such as play therapy, individual counselling, and family support systems to help vulnerable young people process their experiences and build resilient futures. The House’s support is designed to enable and expand this vital mission.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie philanthropic gala hosted by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The event gathers distinguished guests, patrons, and benefactors to raise essential funds and public awareness for the charity. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House's focus on creating tangible, positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historic restoration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To assume this title is not a claim upon the past, but rather a solemn pledge to the future. It is a profound responsibility to serve with the same fortitude and honour that defined our predecessors, and to ensure the Barony is, once again, a source of positive influence and quiet service in the community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > While we cherish this remarkable nine-century history, our focus is resolutely on creating a modern, relevant legacy of our own. Our work must be of tangible benefit to society, reflecting our belief that to live fully is to contribute constructively to the lives of others, thereby honouring those who came before us.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony's revival now formally secured, The Noble House of Brattleby is embarking on a focused programme of cultural and philanthropic initiatives. These activities are designed to honour its deep-rooted English heritage while embracing a contemporary, international perspective on public service.
This vision includes the sponsorship of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. More than an etiquette academy, the club serves as an institution of cultural diplomacy, dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of European traditions of protocol, formal conduct, and cross-cultural communication. The initiative seeks to build bridges through a shared appreciation for heritage and refinement.
In parallel, the House will continue to deepen its charitable partnerships in Lincolnshire and across the United Kingdom. This ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is defined not only by its distinguished past but by its dedicated, forward-looking service to the present and future. The restoration is thus understood as the beginning of a new commitment, rooted firmly in its ancestral home.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of contemporary public service, cultural patronage, and targeted philanthropy. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs all its work, from supporting its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, through its Annual Winter Banquet, to fostering cross-cultural understanding via international initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring that its ancient heritage serves as a robust foundation for creating tangible, positive impacts on society, blending nine centuries of history with a forward-looking vision.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major Tenant-in-chief and landholder in the county. For centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following the time of John of Gaunt, the title fell into a state of dormancy for over 620 years. In 2022, it was formally revived by Letters Patent, an act officially announced in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby was formally announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who held fifty-six lordships in the county. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), 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