# On the Dormancy and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby, 1399–2022
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official statement detailing the history of the Barony of Brattleby's 620-year period of dormancy, from 1399 until its formal recognition and revival in the person of the 12th Baroness in 2022.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical clarity following the revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, The Noble House of Brattleby has seen fit to publish a definitive record of the title’s unique constitutional journey. This statement serves as a foundational document for the restored House, clarifying the circumstances that led to the title falling into abeyance for over six centuries.
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire — the ancestral lands that have defined the Barony since the Norman Conquest — the House offers this account. The issuance marks a moment of reflection, anchoring the House's modern philanthropic and cultural mission in the continuity of its nine-hundred-year history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of England’s oldest feudal lordships. Its lineage includes several figures of national importance, from its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle.
The title’s prolonged dormancy began in 1399. Following the passing of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, the Barony was inherited by his son, Henry Bolingbroke. When Bolingbroke ascended the throne as King Henry IV, his vast Lancastrian titles and estates, including the Barony of Brattleby, were merged with the Crown. This act, a *sine qua non* of his consolidation of power, effectively placed the Barony in abeyance.
Unlike a peerage that becomes extinct for want of an heir, the Barony of Brattleby remained legally extant but indivisible from the Crown. For 620 years it lay dormant, a title theoretically inheritable but unexercised, awaiting the unique legal circumstances that would permit its revival in the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this revived inheritance now rests with the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby. At its head is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in whose person the title was called out of abeyance. Her formal recognition was registered in *The London Gazette*, confirming the continuation of the ancient lineage.
Lady Nicoleta is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the proactive spirit with which the House has embraced its renewed responsibilities. The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony after such a prolonged period of abeyance is an exceptionally rare event governed by established constitutional protocol. The process is one of legal and genealogical diligence, entirely distinct from the creation of a new peerage. It required a comprehensive petition to the Crown, demonstrating an unbroken and rightful claim.
This petition, supported by extensive historical and genealogical evidence, culminated in official recognition by the appropriate authorities of the United Kingdom. The successful claim was formally recorded for public notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This gazetting is not merely ceremonial; it is the definitive legal instrument that confirms the termination of the abeyance and acknowledges the new title holder.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of the Barony of Brattleby is powerfully reflected in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The element of 'Fortitude' finds its ultimate expression in the Barony’s sheer endurance, surviving six centuries of dormancy to be revived, intact, in the modern era. It speaks to a strength that is institutional and constitutional as well as personal.
'Honour' represents the guiding principle for the House's contemporary activities. It is a commitment to service, duty, and the preservation of heritage that now defines the Barony’s purpose. The revival of the title is thus understood not as a culmination, but as the commencement of a new chapter of honourable stewardship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With its revival, The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated itself to a significant programme of philanthropic work, ensuring the ancient title serves a modern and tangible public good. The House’s charitable efforts are focused on supporting vulnerable children and promoting cultural education.
The principal vehicle for this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits a designated charity each year. The primary beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By dedicating its highest social occasion to this cause, the House underscores its commitment to using its platform for meaningful impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique weight of her position, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> To assume a title held by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility. The 620-year silence was not an end but a long pause. Our duty now, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure this legacy serves the public good for centuries to come, transforming historical privilege into present-day purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to public service and cultural diplomacy. The Noble House of Brattleby is actively developing a calendar of charitable and educational initiatives, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Among these initiatives is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, which promotes the values of decorum, social grace, and cultural respect. This international outreach, *inter alia*, demonstrates the House’s ambition to build a legacy that is both deeply rooted in its English heritage and global in its perspective. The focus remains fixed on the future, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby continues as a living and contributing institution for generations to follow.
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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 Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission of charitable service, cultural preservation, and educational outreach. Its philanthropic activities, including the Annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to build a lasting legacy of positive social impact, translating its ancient heritage into a force for public good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over three centuries the title was held by notable figures including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of the most powerful magnates of the medieval era, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com