# Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Lineage and Revival of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement of historical record concerning the Barony of Brattleby, clarifying its lineage of nine centuries and the termination of its 620-year period of dormancy from 1399 until 2022.
## The Occasion
In light of considerable historical and public interest following the formal recognition of its revival, the Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby has determined to publish this definitive account of the Barony’s distinguished lineage. This communication is intended to serve as an authoritative resource for academic institutions, heraldic authorities, genealogical societies, and members of the public interested in the United Kingdom’s ancient peerages.
The statement reaffirms the House’s commitment to discharging the duties attendant upon the Barony with a profound respect for its past and a clear vision for its future. It seeks to provide clarity on the ancient title’s long abeyance, a period during which the honour and lineage it represents endured through six centuries of profound national and dynastic change.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, with its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, is a feudal barony granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a trusted tenant-in-chief to the new King, charged with consolidating Norman authority in the region. His significant standing is recorded for posterity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details his holding of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone, establishing the Barony as a formidable power in post-Conquest England.
Over the ensuing three centuries, the title was held by figures of national consequence. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony as the 5th Baroness. A figure of remarkable fortitude, she served as hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle and twice defended it against formidable attacks, most famously during the First Barons' War in 1217. Her steadfast loyalty to the Crown in a time of civil war was a testament to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The lineage later passed through the great Plantagenet houses to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. Upon his death, the Barony passed via his daughter Blanche to her husband, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who became the 11th Baron. As one of the wealthiest and most powerful men of his age, and acting regent for his young nephew King Richard II, John of Gaunt represented the zenith of the Barony’s influence in medieval England.
Upon the accession of John of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony of Brattleby, along with the other vast Lancastrian estates and honours, merged with the Crown. This act placed the title into a state of dormancy. For 620 years, through the Wars of the Roses, the reigns of the Tudor and Stuart monarchs, the crucible of the English Civil War, and the rise of the British Empire, the title remained unheld—its ancient line of succession preserved in law but unexpressed in the active peerage.
## Distinguished Company
The modern era of the Barony of Brattleby commenced with the formal termination of its dormancy. The leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby, which now serves as the steward of this ancient honour, is constituted by the following principals:
Her Ladyship Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in whom the title is formally vested.
His Lordship Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who shares in the House’s public duties and philanthropic endeavours under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
The Heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for whom the House bears the solemn responsibility of preparation for his future role.
The House undertakes its contemporary responsibilities with full cognisance of the distinguished and formidable predecessors from whom this ancient honour descends, from the Norman loyalist Colswein of Lincoln to the great Lancastrian prince, John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a feudal barony after such a prolonged period of abeyance is an intricate matter of constitutional law and heraldic procedure. It necessitates a formal petition to the Crown, supported by an exhaustive body of genealogical and historical evidence which must demonstrate, without ambiguity, an unbroken line of succession. This comprehensive proof, reviewed by the College of Arms and other authorities, is the *sine qua non* for any such claim to be considered.
The process distinguishes between a title that is extinct, for which no legitimate heir exists, and one that is merely dormant or in abeyance, where the line of succession remains intact but unrecognised. Following a thorough review of the extensive historical proofs by the pertinent authorities, the termination of the Barony’s dormancy and its vesting in Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally affirmed.
This recognition by the Crown was made a matter of public and permanent record by notice in *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. This official act finalised the Barony’s return to the active life of the nation, bridging a gap of over six centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its heraldry and mottos, which serve not as mere decoration, but as guiding principles for its present-day mission.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is a direct echo of its historical legacy. The commitment to fortitude reflects the indomitable resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln. The principle of honour speaks to the chivalric code embodied by the ducal barons, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Together, they form a commitment to resilience, integrity, and principled service.
Complementing this ancient tradition is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted within the House not as a call to martial conquest, but as a modern Stoic exhortation: to overcome adversity, to pursue excellence relentlessly, and to live a life of purpose and meaningful action. It represents the forward-looking dynamism the House brings to its ancient inheritance.
The Coat of Arms of the House visually articulates this synthesis of history and purpose. It serves as a heraldic charter, a graphical representation of the lineage and values that define the Barony, making its nine-hundred-year history legible in the symbolic language of Great Britain.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is understood by the House not as the culmination of an historical process, but as the beginning of a new chapter of contemporary service. The House has accordingly dedicated its philanthropic activities to causes that promote healing, build resilience, and create opportunity, directly reflecting the spirit of its mottos.
The principal vehicle for this work is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in London. This event gathers supporters, patrons, and friends of the House in aid of a chosen charitable beneficiary whose work aligns with the House’s core values.
The primary philanthropic partner for these endeavours is the national charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist, trauma-informed therapeutic care and safe environments for children and adolescents who have experienced profound trauma, *inter alia*, neglect, abuse, or significant loss. Its selection was based on its proven success and a mission that resonates deeply with the House’s commitment to fostering fortitude in those who have faced immense adversity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique history of the Barony and its place in the modern world, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To hold a title that has lain dormant since the reign of King Richard II is to feel the direct current of English history. It imparts a sense of profound duty—not only to our remarkable predecessors but also to the communities we serve today. Our task is to ensure that *Fortitudine et Honore* are not simply words on a crest but principles that live and breathe in all we undertake.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> History provides our foundation, but its true value is realised only in present action. The legitimacy of an ancient title in the twenty-first century is found in modern service. Whether through our philanthropic support for vulnerable children or the cultural diplomacy of The Brattleby Club, our shared goal is to give this extraordinary legacy a vibrant, forward-looking, and impactful purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is unequivocally committed to securing the Barony’s legacy for the future. A central focus of this long-term vision is the comprehensive education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring he is amply prepared for the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit. This stewardship is considered the most fundamental obligation of the current generation.
To that end, the House will continue to develop its established philanthropic and cultural programmes. The annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child and the international work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest are the primary pillars of the House’s public life. These activities form the core of a mission to connect a significant past with a meaningful and impactful future, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby’s second life is one of purpose and service.
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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. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage and leveraging its position for impactful public service and philanthropy. While its ancestral seat is in Lincolnshire, the House has a contemporary presence with engagements in London, Monaco, and Bucharest. Its charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, foster international understanding. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony by tenure, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive landholdings were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For three centuries, the title was held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The Barony became dormant in 1399 upon merging with the Crown. After an abeyance of 620 years, its dormancy was terminated, and the title was formally recognised in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony’s revival and vesting in the 12th Baroness was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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