# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Restoration of a Norman Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the singular constitutional history of the Barony of Brattleby, following its formal recognition and revival after a dormancy of 623 years, reaffirming its commitment to modern service.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of the autumn season, a time for reflection and historical accounting, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to address the singular provenance of its foundational title. Following the formal notice of recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, this statement serves not as an announcement of an event, but as a considered historical summary for the public record.
The purpose is to illuminate the Barony’s unique journey through English history. It is an occasion to reaffirm that the revival of this ancient dignity is understood by its present holders not as an end in itself, but as the assumption of a nine-century-old legacy of duty, a responsibility now exercised through contemporary philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. The title passed through generations, its holders serving the Crown with distinction.
Among its most notable predecessors were Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the dignity was held by the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Upon the accession of John of Gaunt's son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony of Brattleby, *inter alia*, merged with the Crown.
Unlike peerages that became extinct, the Barony remained in a state of constitutional dormancy; its rights were subsumed by the sovereign but never extinguished. For 623 years it lay dormant, a testament to the enduring legal framework of the British monarchy, awaiting a formal claim and recognition that materialised in the 21st century with Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
## Distinguished Company
While a contemporary revival, the history of the Barony of Brattleby is defined by the company it has kept across the centuries. The lineage is a roll of honour in English history, including, in order of precedence:
His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, as the fount of honour from which the Barony was granted.
Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant Norman landowner and tenant-in-chief in post-Conquest England.
Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure*, Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle, a figure of immense strength and loyalty to the Crown.
His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and a revered military commander and diplomat.
His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony dormant for over six centuries is not a matter of simple inheritance but of meticulous legal and heraldic protocol. The process is a formal dialogue with the Crown, conducted through its ancient and appropriate bodies. It requires extensive genealogical and historical proof presented to the College of Arms in London.
The Officers of Arms, acting under the authority of the Earl Marshal, must be satisfied that the historical claim is sound and that the legal basis for the title’s dormancy and subsequent revival is unimpeachable. The evidence is scrutinised against centuries of precedent.
Once the claim is verified by the Crown, the final and indispensable step—the *sine qua non* of official recognition—is the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*. This journal, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665, serves as the modern instrument of Royal Assent for such matters, making the revival a part of the permanent, verifiable constitutional fabric of the nation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is visually and philosophically encapsulated in its heraldic achievements. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the perseverance required to navigate the Barony's complex history and the ethical manner in which its duties must be discharged.
This ancient sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as the imperative to overcome challenges and to live a life of purpose and achievement. Together, they form a powerful message: that honour is achieved through purposeful action and resilience.
These principles guide the House, providing a moral compass that connects the legacy of its formidable predecessors to the responsibilities of its present custodians.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A title revived is a platform renewed. The Noble House of Brattleby is resolute that its historical standing must be met with a commensurate commitment to public service. The House directs its primary philanthropic efforts toward championing the well-being of vulnerable children, a cause with universal and urgent resonance.
The designated beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support systems for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its mission aligns perfectly with the House's belief that a stable and loving childhood is the bedrock of a healthy society. The funds raised contribute directly to measurable outcomes, including the provision of safe environments and expert counselling.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique historical position of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To hold a title with origins at the Conquest is to become a custodian of a truly remarkable thread of our nation’s history. It is a profound honour, but one that carries the clear duty to ensure this legacy serves the public good. Our work today is our promise to the future, made in the name of the past.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > A name and a title only have meaning through action. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a passive reflection; it is a call to serve with strength and integrity. Whether through our philanthropic work or fostering cultural understanding, our mission is to give this ancient Barony a vibrant, modern purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby marks not an end, but a beginning. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building a modern legacy of service worthy of its ancient foundations. This includes the continuation of the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a key fundraising event for its chosen charities.
Furthermore, the House will expand the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural exchange and the timeless social graces that facilitate international understanding and diplomacy. The future of the Barony, under its 12th holder and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will be defined by this synthesis of tradition and progress.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Rooted in nearly a millennium of English history, the House's contemporary mission is focused on public service, philanthropy, and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to translate its historic legacy into positive, tangible impact. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its existence and the extent of its lands under the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures of the English nobility, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the title lay dormant for 623 years until its revival was formally recognised by The Crown and published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby for Lady Nicoleta Vasile was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is one of the original feudal lordships granted after the Norman Conquest, recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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