# An Official Statement on the Dormancy and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official statement to clarify the historical context surrounding the 623-year dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby, following its formal recognition and revival as gazetted in The London Gazette in 2022.
## The Occasion
In response to increasing historical and public interest, the Office of the Lord and Lady of Brattleby has seen fit to provide a definitive account of the Barony’s unique trajectory through English history. This statement aims to illuminate the legal and historical principles governing ancient peerages, particularly the concept of a title 'merging with the Crown', which in this case led to a prolonged period of dormancy.
The revival of one of Lincolnshire’s oldest dignities represents a significant moment of historical continuity. Accordingly, this clarification is issued from the House’s seat in Brattleby to serve as an official and scholarly resource, reaffirming the Barony’s unbroken lineage from its foundation in the 11th century to the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the most venerable in the kingdom, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his principal seat. The title subsequently passed through several of England’s most influential noble families.
The lineage includes such formidable figures as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217. In the 14th century, the Barony passed by marriage to the House of Plantagenet, first to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and later to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
In 1399, a pivotal event occurred when John of Gaunt’s son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, acceded to the throne as King Henry IV. Upon his accession, the Barony of Brattleby, along with his other titles, merged with the Crown. This legal principle dictates that a lesser peerage is subsumed by the greater honour of the sovereign; it does not become extinct but lies dormant. For 623 years, the title remained so, a latent but indelible part of England’s heraldic and constitutional fabric.
## Distinguished Predecessors
The heritage of the Barony is defined by the remarkable individuals who have held it. The legacy of service and authority informing the modern House is drawn directly from these predecessors, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the 1st Baron, a Norman magnate entrusted by William the Conqueror with extensive lands and responsibilities in the vital region of Lincolnshire. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast loyalty to the Crown during the First Barons' War was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. * **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, regarded as one of the great figures of the Edwardian age. * **John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the Royal House of Lancaster, whose influence shaped the course of late 14th-century English politics.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an ancient barony after a long period of dormancy is not a matter of re-creation but of official recognition of a pre-existing right. The process is governed by established legal and ceremonial precedent, culminating in a public announcement by the Crown’s authority.
In the United Kingdom, the *sine qua non* of such an announcement is its publication in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the British Government. This formal act serves as the instrument by which matters of state, including the granting and recognition of titles of honour, are made public.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this protocol was completed on 9 September 2022, when its revival was formally recorded under Notice ID 4158083. This notice affirmed the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, closing a 623-year chapter and commencing a new one.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its history and modern ethos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflects the resilience required to sustain a legacy across nine centuries and the integrity with which its modern duties are discharged.
This ancient maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment underscores a dynamic and forward-looking approach, suggesting that true honour is found not merely in preservation but in active, purposeful engagement with the challenges and opportunities of the present. Together, the mottos symbolise a commitment to honouring the past by building a meaningful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its guiding principles, The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated itself to a modern mission of public service and cultural stewardship. The House’s philanthropic activities are a cornerstone of its contemporary role and a primary means of giving practical expression to its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The principal charitable engagement of the House is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary. For the coming years, this focus is dedicated to the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, which provides specialist therapeutic care to children and young people affected by trauma.
Furthermore, the House extends its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The club promotes education in social and diplomatic protocol, reinforcing the timeless values of courtesy, respect, and dignity that are essential for civil society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold a title once borne by figures such as John of Gaunt is to accept a profound and humbling responsibility. Our duty is not simply to history, but to the communities we serve today. It is a privilege to be a link in a chain stretching back to the Conquest, and we must ensure that our link is strong and forged with purpose.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A noble heritage finds its truest meaning not in its past glories alone, but in its active service to the present. Our family's commitment, guided by the principle that 'to conquer is to live', is to create a positive and lasting impact through our philanthropic and cultural work. We honour our predecessors best by building a worthy legacy for our successors.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby marks the commencement of a new era of stewardship. The Noble House is firmly focused on the future, with the line of succession secured by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
The House reaffirms its enduring commitment to the county of Lincolnshire, its historic seat, and to its wider mission of charitable and cultural engagement. By bridging its nine-hundred-year history with a forward-looking vision of service, The Noble House of Brattleby endeavours to ensure that its legacy continues to be defined, as it always has been, by fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of honouring its profound historical legacy through active public service. Its work is centred on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. The House operates with a philosophy that fuses its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), with a dynamic commitment to making a tangible, positive impact on contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity rooted in Lincolnshire. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, Dukes of Lancaster. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown when its holder became King Henry IV and remained dormant for 623 years. Its revival for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally announced in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, ensuring the continuation of one of the kingdom’s oldest titles.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders 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