# An Official Reflection on the Dormancy and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the 620-year dormancy of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. This period commenced with the Barony's absorption into the Duchy of Lancaster and the Crown in 1399.
## The Occasion
In the wake of the Barony’s formal revival, confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment to reflect upon the profound historical interregnum that defines its heritage. This statement serves not as a celebration of absence, but as a sober acknowledgement of the resilience of a title that lay dormant whilst the British nation was forged.
From the late Plantagenet autumn of 1399 to the dawn of this new Carolean age, the Barony was preserved in law but unheld in practice. This official reflection bridges that vast chronological span, connecting the Barony’s medieval origins to its modern responsibilities under its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s story begins in the crucible of the Norman Conquest. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony was a bastion of feudal power and influence in the region.
This direct line of succession was marked by several notable holders, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. The Barony later passed through marriage into England’s premier noble family, held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The Barony fell into dormancy in 1399 when John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, acceded to the throne as King Henry IV. As was customary, his titles—including those of the Duchy of Lancaster and, by extension, the Barony of Brattleby—were merged with the Crown. For the next 620 years, a period encompassing the Tudor and Stuart dynasties, the English Civil War, and the rise and fall of the British Empire, the title remained in abeyance.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this history, the House acknowledges the distinguished company of its predecessors, whose legacy it is now tasked to continue. These historical figures represent cornerstones of English and European history.
The line begins with **Colswein of Lincoln**, the 1st Baron, a significant post-Conquest landowner entrusted by William the Conqueror to secure Norman authority in Lincolnshire. It continues with **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baroness, a rare example of a woman wielding significant military and political power in the 13th century.
Later figures include **Henry of Grosmont**, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. His leadership represents a high point of English chivalry. The direct line of Barons concludes with **John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century and patriarch of the House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony after such a prolonged period of dormancy is a matter of considerable legal and constitutional protocol. It is a process overseen by the Crown through its ancient institutions, ensuring that claims are validated with rigour and historical accuracy.
The process culminates in a formal recognition published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665. The notice serves as the Crown’s official acknowledgement of the title’s revival and its rightful holder. For the Barony of Brattleby, this was recorded under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
This formal act is the modern ceremonial equivalent of the medieval processes of charter and enfeoffment. It is the *sine qua non* of a barony's legitimate existence in the present day, providing an unbroken link, in law, back to the original grant of 1066.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is articulated through its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), speaks directly to the qualities required both to endure a long period of dormancy and to resume the obligations of the title with integrity. Fortitude represents the resilience of the lineage, whilst Honour dictates the manner in which its modern duties are discharged.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere*. Translated from the Latin as ‘To Conquer is to Live’ or, more aptly, ‘To Overcome is to Live’, it reflects a philosophy of purposeful action. It frames the Barony’s revival not as a finality, but as the beginning of a new era of active contribution.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony is not an end in itself but a means to amplify the House’s enduring commitment to public service and philanthropy. The historical weight of the title provides a significant platform from which to champion causes aligned with the House’s values of compassion and social responsibility.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activity is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing psychological and emotional support to children who have experienced trauma. The choice of this beneficiary reflects a belief in nurturing future generations and overcoming past hardships, a theme that resonates deeply with the Barony’s own story of revival.
Proceeds from events such as the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, are directed to this cause, enabling the charity to expand its vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "To be the instrument of this revival is a profound honour and an even greater responsibility. The Barony did not cease to exist in 1399; it simply slept through centuries of immense change. Our duty now is to ensure its modern work lives up to the fortitude and honour of its past."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the House’s forward-looking mission: > "History provides the foundation, but our purpose is defined by action today. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means overcoming challenges through tangible works. The Barony’s revival gives our philanthropic mission a context of nearly one thousand years of British history."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this renewed legacy is one of active engagement. The annual Winter Banquet will continue as the centrepiece of the House’s charitable calendar, gathering support for its chosen causes and reinforcing the Barony’s modern social purpose.
Furthermore, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy fostering cultural and social refinement, will proceed under the patronage of the House. This unique institution extends the House's principles of tradition and personal development to a Continental European context, strengthening cultural ties.
Through these endeavours, the Barony of Brattleby, dormant for six centuries, is re-established not only as a title of historical note but as a living institution dedicated to service in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to upholding the traditions of its ancient lineage through modern engagement and philanthropy. The House's mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. With its seat in Lincolnshire and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House blends its deep English heritage with a distinctively European outlook, committed to fostering dialogue, social etiquette, and cross-cultural understanding in the service of its philanthropic goals.
**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, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the next three centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the ducal House of Lancaster, culminating with John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. In 1399, the title merged with the Crown and lay dormant for 620 years. Its revival in the 21st century, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, re-establishing one of the oldest Norman-era lordships.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's revival was formally recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (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