# A Formal Statement on the Dormancy and Restoration of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement reflecting upon the 620-year period of dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby. This communication serves to contextualise the title’s past abeyance and celebrate its modern restoration and purpose.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the ancient county of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment to offer a definitive reflection on an unprecedented chapter in its history. The statement provides an official account of the six centuries during which the Barony of Brattleby lay dormant, a period framed by the vicissitudes of the English Crown.
This formal clarification is issued not to mark a specific anniversary, but rather as a foundational act of the restored House. It affirms the lineage’s continuity and establishes a clear historical record, a *sine qua non* for the public duties and philanthropic endeavours the House now undertakes. The issuance from London underscores the Barony’s place within the national tapestry of the United Kingdom.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s prolonged period of inactivity commenced in 1399. In that year, its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, died. His son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, subsequently deposed King Richard II and acceded to the throne as King Henry IV, founder of the House of Lancaster.
Upon his accession, all of Henry’s ducal and subsidiary titles — including the Barony of Brattleby — were merged with the Crown. This legal and political absorption of the title into the royal domain effectively placed the Barony in abeyance. It remained so for 620 years, a silent witness to the Wars of the Roses, the rise of the Tudors, and the entirety of Britain’s subsequent history.
This long dormancy followed an exceptionally distinguished period of service to the Crown. First granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the seat of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Its history is inextricably linked with figures who shaped England, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217.
## Distinguished Company
The historical narrative of the Barony’s dormancy is defined by several of the most consequential figures in English history. The principal actors in the events of 1399 include:
* **His Majesty King Henry IV**, formerly Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster and Hereford. As son of the 11th Baron of Brattleby, his accession to the throne precipitated the Barony’s merger with the Crown.
* **His Grace John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby**. A son of King Edward III, his immense wealth, power, and titles made him a formidable figure whose inheritance proved central to the succession crisis.
* **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby**. A renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, his tenure represented a zenith of the Barony’s influence in the 14th century before it passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of a peerage is a specific state in English law, distinct from extinction. A title becomes dormant or falls into abeyance when the succession is uncertain or, as in this case, when it is absorbed by a higher title — *in casu*, the Crown itself. Whereas an extinct title ceases to exist, a dormant barony retains its *de jure* existence, awaiting a formal act to call it out of abeyance.
The restoration of the Barony in the 21st century required a formal and legally recognised process. This culminated in the official recognition of the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
This recognition was gazetted by His Majesty's Government and published in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the United Kingdom. The notice, bearing ID 4158083 and published on 9 September 2022, represents the modern ceremonial equivalent of a historic royal summons to Parliament, providing definitive and public validation of the title’s revival.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The coat of arms and mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby serve as a constant guide to its character and obligations. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to its unique history. 'Fortitude' reflects the resilience required for a lineage to endure through six centuries of dormancy, while 'Honour' denotes the solemn duty to uphold the legacy of its distinguished predecessors.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim articulates the dynamic, forward-looking spirit of the revived House. It signifies a belief that true living is found in overcoming challenges and in the active pursuit of purpose — transforming a historical honour into a platform for contemporary achievement.
Together, these mottos encapsulate a dual commitment: to honour the past with fortitude and to build a future defined by purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end in itself but the foundation for a renewed commitment to public service. In this spirit, the House has dedicated its principal philanthropic efforts to supporting organisations dedicated to the well-being of vulnerable children.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s charitable work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care to young people affected by trauma and adversity. The choice of this beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting a belief that fostering resilience and healing in the next generation is a profound social responsibility.
Support is principally channelled through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala. This event gathers supporters and dignitaries to raise vital funds and awareness, directly enabling the charity to expand its reach and provide care to more children in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To understand this long winter in our family’s history is not merely an academic exercise; it is the foundation of our stewardship. The legacy of figures like Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt imparts a duty not just to remember, but to act with the same sense of purpose that defined them. Our role is to ensure *Fortitudine et Honore* are principles that live and breathe in our work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A title without purpose is but a footnote in history. My conviction, encapsulated by *Vincere Est Vivere*, is that our charge is to animate this legacy with tangible action. The restoration of the Barony provides a remarkable platform from which to champion causes that strengthen society, beginning with the welfare of our children.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical foundations now formally articulated, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on its future commitments. The House continues to develop its philanthropic programme, with planning for the next Annual Winter Banquet already underway.
Beyond its charitable work in the United Kingdom, the House is extending its cultural mission on the Continent. The recent establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and international protocol, serves to build cultural bridges and promote the timeless values of civility and mutual respect.
These initiatives—grounded in service and cultural exchange—represent the living embodiment of the Barony’s renewed purpose. They are the means by which a nine-hundred-year-old legacy will continue to evolve and contribute positively to the modern world.
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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, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of *noblesse oblige* in the 21st century. Its mission is twofold: to honour and preserve a unique nine-century heritage, and to leverage its platform for impactful philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations that support the welfare of vulnerable children. Its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, seek to foster international understanding through education in diplomatic and social protocol, guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by some of England’s most powerful nobles, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony was merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV. After 620 years of dormancy, its restoration was formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby is noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, whose holdings are detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable holders of the title 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