# A Statement on the Historic Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a formal statement to affirm its public duties following the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby, which was formally recognised in 2022 after residing with the Crown for 623 years.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London, with the arrival of spring signifying a time of renewal, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken this occasion to provide a considered reflection on the Barony's singular journey through English history. This statement serves to illuminate, for the public record, the context surrounding one of the longest periods of abeyance and subsequent revival within the British honours system.
The formal reactivation of the Barony is not merely the correction of a historical record; it is the deliberate resumption of a near-millennium-old narrative of duty, stewardship, and service to the community. This moment reconnects a living institution with its profound medieval origins, providing a stable foundation from which to pursue a modern mission of dedicated philanthropy and cultural preservation.
This act of state, finalised by its publication in the official journal of record, marks the end of a meticulous legal and genealogical process. It formally commences a new chapter of public life for the House, guided by the principles that have defined its lineage for more than nine centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby numbers among the most ancient in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the new King, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region.
For over three centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance who were instrumental in the shaping of the realm and the defence of the Crown. One of the most notable predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness by right of her ancestry. A formidable noblewoman, she served as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, successfully defending it against French and baronial rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a feat critical to securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
The lineage continued through some of the most powerful families in medieval England, eventually passing to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a revered military commander and diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, brought the Barony to her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III.
The Barony's active history paused in 1399. Following John of Gaunt's death, his exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke, returned to England to claim his inheritance and, ultimately, the throne. Upon his accession as King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby, along with his other titles, merged with the Crown, where it lay dormant for more than six centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The revival of an ancient barony after such a prolonged period is an intricate matter of law, genealogy, and sovereign will. The process necessarily engages several of the United Kingdom's most respected authorities, whose expert oversight is the *sine qua non* for such a rare and significant determination.
Foremost among these is The Crown, in which the dignity of the Barony had been vested since 1399 and from which its revival must ultimately flow. Its recognition represents the final act of royal assent in the matter.
The petition for revival was subject to the rigorous scrutiny of The Officers of Arms at His Majesty's College of Arms in London. These heralds, scholars, and genealogists, under the authority of the Earl Marshal, are entrusted with confirming the unbroken line of succession through exhaustive archival research, ensuring the genealogical integrity of the claim.
Following this verification, the conclusive step was undertaken by the Crown Office at the House of Lords. In accordance with established procedure, and upon command, the Crown Office ordered the official notice of recognition to be published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's oldest continuously published journal and its official public record.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Unlike the creation of a new peerage, which is often marked by a public ceremony of investiture and the introduction of the new peer into the House of Lords, the recognition of an ancient feudal barony follows a different, more discreet protocol rooted in law and historical precedent.
The journey towards revival commences not with pageantry, but with the painstaking preparation and submission of a detailed memorial—a formal legal and genealogical petition—to the Crown. This document, often running to hundreds of pages, presents the comprehensive evidence and historical arguments underpinning the claimant's right to the title.
This submission is then subjected to a thorough and lengthy review by the relevant authorities, including the Garter King of Arms and other specialists at The College of Arms. Their role is to verify every link in the genealogical chain and confirm that the historical claim is sound. Once their positive advice is received, the matter proceeds for final approval.
The definitive act, and the true ceremony of this process, is the publication of the notice in *The London Gazette*. This gazetting serves as the final, immutable instrument of recognition from the Sovereign, conferring a status that is legally indisputable and formally marking the end of the Barony's dormancy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding The Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient dictum, passed down through the centuries, speaks to the resilience required to uphold a legacy across generations and the profound sense of duty that its modern revival entails. It serves as a direct link to the indomitable spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle perfectly exemplified these twin virtues.
Complementing the historic House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This phrase represents the proactive, purposeful energy with which the House pursues its contemporary mission. It translates the concept of conquest from its martial origins to the modern challenges of overcoming adversity, driving philanthropic progress, and achieving meaningful goals.
Together, the two mottoes symbolise a powerful synthesis of ancient honour and contemporary action, of historical continuity and forward-looking dynamism. They are the heraldic expression of the House's core identity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby provides the modern House with a distinguished and visible platform for its long-standing commitment to public service. The House’s philanthropic activities are centred on supporting organisations that deliver measurable, meaningful, and sustainable change to communities in need, particularly those focused on the welfare of children.
A primary beneficiary of these efforts is the national charity Healing the Wounded Child. This admirable organisation provides vital, specialised therapeutic care and sustained support to children across the country who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work delivers evidence-based interventions in safe environments, helping to restore hope and rebuild young lives.
The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala, has been established as the principal fundraising vehicle for this cause. Held in London, the event brings together patrons and supporters in a demonstration of the House's firm conviction that a noble title finds its highest and truest expression in dedicated service to the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the solemn responsibilities that accompany the Barony's revival, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: "To assume this title is to accept a conversation with history itself. It is a profound responsibility to honour the legacy of those who came before us—from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt—and to ensure that the Barony serves a noble and relevant purpose in the twenty-first century. Our guiding principle in all things will be *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective on the House's mission: "An ancient title acquires its true value through present-day action, not through retrospective glory. Our mission is to transform this extraordinary heritage into a dynamic force for good, *inter alia*, through our focused philanthropic work and cultural initiatives. To revive the Barony was to commit ourselves, and our future, fully to a life of service."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical foundations now formally secured and recognised, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to building a lasting legacy of positive contribution, ensuring the Barony is as relevant today as it was in centuries past. This commitment extends from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire to its international endeavours, which seek to foster cultural understanding and personal development. The continuity of this legacy is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
Among these initiatives is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy recently established in Bucharest. The academy aims to share the rich traditions of European deportment and courteous conduct with a new generation, serving as an instrument of cultural diplomacy. This, combined with steadfast support for the House's chosen charities, ensures that the revived Barony of Brattleby is not a historical artefact, but a dynamic and purposeful institution for years to come.
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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 public service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Based at its traditional seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House directs its charitable efforts towards causes supporting vulnerable children, principally through its Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. It also engages in cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House operates under the centuries-old motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), blending historical duty with a forward-looking vision.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as its first holder and the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of great historical import, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown when its holder's son ascended the throne as King Henry IV. After 623 years in abeyance, the title was formally revived in 2022, with its recognition confirmed in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) for the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders include John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, who held the title as the 11th Baron by right of his wife, Blanche of Lancaster. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com