# The Barony of Brattleby: A Reflection on Service, Dormancy, and Renewal
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal reflection upon the historical significance of the Barony’s 620-year dormancy. This period is now understood as a crucial interlude, preserving the title's dignity before its modern revival and philanthropic rededication.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London, the Chancery of the House of Brattleby has chosen this autumn season—a time of reflection and harvest—to articulate its perspective on a remarkable chapter in its history. The communication serves to contextualise the Barony’s re-emergence in the 21st century, framing it not as a mere revival of titles, but as the resumption of a nine-century-long commitment to public service. The statement is the result of extensive archival research, intended to provide historical clarity and underscore the principles guiding its current custodians.
This deliberate act of historical interpretation aims to connect the ancient lineage of the Barony with its contemporary mission. In doing so, the House reaffirms that its heritage is not a static relic, but a living foundation for present and future endeavours. It is an occasion for quiet contemplation rather than celebration, marking a deeper understanding of the duties that accompany such a distinguished inheritance.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, commanding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The Barony's history is woven into the very fabric of England, held by formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and later, by two towering figures of the high medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
The dormancy, commencing in 1399 after passing from John of Gaunt into the Crown, represents a 620-year interregnum. Far from being a sign of decline, this long period of abeyance allowed the Barony to avoid the vicissitudes of political turmoil and war that extinguished many of its contemporaries. This long silence preserved its legal integrity, enabling a legitimate and formally recognised resumption of the title, which was gazetted on 9 September 2022.
## Distinguished Company
The modern era of the Barony is guided by a family dedicated to honouring its past through present action. The principal members of the House involved in this historic continuity are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, under whose leadership the Barony has resumed its place. Her focus is on the stewardship of the House’s historic and cultural legacy. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), informs the dynamic and forward-looking vision of the House’s philanthropic and educational initiatives. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron**, who as heir apparent, represents the future of the lineage and is deeply involved in the House’s youth-focused charitable work.
Together, they form the core of leadership responsible for translating nearly one thousand years of history into a meaningful modern purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of the Barony eschewed pomp in favour of the solemnity of legal and historical precedent. The *sine qua non* of this process was its formal recognition by The Crown, manifested through an official notice in *The London Gazette*. This act, bearing the Notice ID 4158083, is the contemporary equivalent of historic royal charters, providing indisputable legitimacy.
This modern protocol ensures that the Barony's re-emergence adheres to the highest standards of legal and heraldic propriety. It signifies that the transfer of dignity was not a private assumption but a public fact, acknowledged by the proper authorities. This quiet, document-based ceremony aligns with the sober, dutiful character of the House itself, emphasising substance over spectacle.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and mission of the House are powerfully articulated through its heraldry and mottos. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience required to endure the 620-year dormancy and the integrity with which the House conducts its affairs today. It is a direct link to the chivalric code of its earliest holders.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. In this context, 'to conquer' is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as an injunction to overcome challenges, to succeed in philanthropic goals, and to live a life of active service rather than passive inheritance. Together, the two mottos create a philosophical framework: honouring the past with fortitude while actively building a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was undertaken with a clear objective: to create a modern platform for substantive charitable work. The House has intentionally focused its efforts on supporting vulnerable children, a cause that transcends borders and politics.
The primary beneficiary of this commitment is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House’s flagship philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a white-tie gala held to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity’s mission. The choice aligns with the House’s belief that the greatest privilege of its position is the ability to convene support for those most in need. This philanthropic focus is the modern expression of the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige*.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the journey of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To be a custodian of this title is to feel the weight of nine centuries of English history. One feels a profound duty to predecessors like Nichola de la Haye—to act with the same fortitude and honour that they embodied. Our role is to ensure this legacy serves a purpose in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “History gives us our foundation, but our actions give it meaning. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a call to action. We honour the past not by dwelling in it, but by using the platform it provides to make a tangible, positive impact on people's lives today. That, for us, is the truest victory.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the revival is the start of a new, dynamic chapter of service. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase its contribution to Healing the Wounded Child.
Simultaneously, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family’s etiquette and cultural academy, will continue its work promoting cross-cultural understanding and the civilising arts. The House’s archivists will also pursue further research into the Barony’s history, with plans to make select findings accessible to scholars and the public. This work ensures that the legacy of Brattleby continues to evolve, rooted in honour and dedicated to service.
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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. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropic service, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting the welfare of children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to translate its historic legacy into a force for positive change in the 21st century, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. It was first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as held by Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Royal authority in the 13th century, and later, by members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a 620-year period of dormancy, the Barony was revived and its current holder formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Historically notable Barons include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The seat is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com