# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Abeyance of the Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement detailing the six-century abeyance of the Barony of Brattleby, following its merger with the Crown in 1399, and reaffirming the continuity of its ancient lineage in the modern era.
## The Occasion
In a significant act of historical stewardship, the office of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has completed a comprehensive review of the Barony’s long and distinguished lineage. This scholarly undertaking was initiated to clarify the unique circumstances surrounding the title’s period of dormancy, which commenced in the final year of the fourteenth century.
The statement serves not as an announcement of discovery, but as a formal elucidation of the Barony’s constitutional journey. It is an affirmation of a heritage that has withstood the vicissitudes of English history, underscoring the House’s commitment to preserving and understanding its profound past as it fulfils its contemporary duties.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents one of the kingdom’s Norman-era dignities. Its unbroken line of succession was paused in 1399 when the holder, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, ascended the throne as King Henry IV. At that moment, the Barony of Brattleby, as a lesser title held by the new sovereign, was merged with the Crown.
This event followed the death of Henry’s father, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster. For the subsequent 620 years, the title remained in abeyance; it was not extinguished, but held in suspension by the Crown, a testament to its historical significance. This period of dormancy concluded with the title’s restoration, a revival that honours predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle, and Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The historical transition of 1399 involved figures of paramount importance to the history of England and, indeed, the Barony itself. The principal personages involved in the merger of the title were:
* His Majesty King Henry IV, formerly Henry Bolingbroke, whose accession to the throne directly caused the Barony to fall into abeyance. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of his time. * His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founder member of the Order of the Garter.
The lineage of these men demonstrates the Barony’s close historical proximity to the Royal Family, a connection that defines much of its medieval legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process by which a title like the Barony of Brattleby is managed is governed by ancient custom and modern constitutional practice. The merger in 1399 was an automatic consequence of a peer succeeding to the throne. The title was not forfeited or surrendered, but rather subsumed into the monarch's superior dignity, becoming a *dignity in abeyance*.
Its modern revival and recognition required formal acknowledgement by the proper authorities of the United Kingdom, a process in which the College of Arms plays a central advisory role. The *sine qua non* of such public recognition is a notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record. The notice for the Barony of Brattleby serves as the definitive instrument affirming its place in the present day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is deeply embedded in its heraldry and mottos. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to its history. It required fortitude to endure over six centuries of dormancy and a profound sense of honour to reclaim that legacy for a new era of service.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects the forward-looking dynamism of the House, embodying a philosophy that to live fully is to overcome obstacles, whether through its philanthropic endeavours or its commitment to cultural education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While rooted in its history, the House dedicates its modern purpose to active philanthropy. A core commitment is the support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma. The House’s support, principally through its Annual Winter Banquet, is vital to the charity’s mission to provide solace and recovery.
This focus on restorative care is the contemporary expression of the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige*. It is a belief that privilege confers a duty to protect the vulnerable, a mission The Noble House of Brattleby pursues with the same dedication it applies to the stewardship of its heritage.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical statement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said:
> – “To hold this title is to be a custodian of a nine-hundred-year trust. The period of abeyance was not an end, but a long winter from which the Barony has re-emerged. Our duty now, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure its legacy serves a modern purpose of tangible value.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> – “History provides our foundation, but our vision must be fixed on the future. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects our belief that to truly live is to overcome challenges through service. This is how we give meaning to our heritage today, ensuring it is a living force for good in the world.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy is both preserved and actively developed. The House will continue its archival research programme to further illuminate the Barony’s history, sharing its findings with academic and public audiences in due course.
Forthcoming activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which remains the cornerstone of the House's charitable fundraising. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will expand its curriculum, continuing its work of promoting etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. These efforts, *inter alia*, ensure the Barony's name is synonymous not only with history, but with present-day responsibility and future-oriented action.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of responsible stewardship. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying the lessons of its historic lineage to contemporary challenges. The House’s primary activities include significant philanthropic support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, and the promotion of cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is the son of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony and its associated lands in Lincolnshire are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over three centuries, it was held by a succession of influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained in abeyance for 620 years. Its formal, public recognition in the modern era was recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com