# The House of Brattleby Marks Revival of Ancient Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally acknowledged the revival of its ancient barony, dormant for over six centuries. The restoration, gazetted in 2022, reconnects a lineage established by William the Conqueror with its modern custodians and their public service mission.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby represents a significant moment in the continuity of one of England’s Norman-era dignities. Dormant for 620 years, the title was restored by Letters Patent, with its revival formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
This legal and constitutional act serves not as a creation, but as the continuation of a barony whose history is woven into the fabric of the nation. The occasion marks a deliberate reaffirmation of the House’s commitment to its historical duties, adapted for the context of the 21st century. It ensures that the legacy of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, once again has active stewards.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is 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 post-Conquest England. For centuries, its holders were central to the governance and defence of the realm.
Notable among these predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A formidable figure, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, a testament to the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later, the barony passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. These connections placed Brattleby at the very heart of Plantagenet royal power before it entered its long dormancy.
## Distinguished Company
The revival places the stewardship of the Barony in the hands of a new generation dedicated to its principles. The title is now held by:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the thirteenth Baron and heir apparent
This new leadership ensures the continuation of the line and the active discharge of the responsibilities the title entails, bridging its English heritage with a distinctively European perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient barony follows a precise and solemn protocol overseen by the Crown. The *sine qua non* of this process is the issuance of Letters Patent, a formal legal instrument, followed by the public announcement in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record.
This gazetting serves as the definitive public notice of the Crown’s will and confirms the legal standing of the title. While no single ceremony marked the revival, its legal formality underscores the gravity of restoring a dignity with nearly a millennium of history. Such matters engage the expertise of, *inter alia*, the College of Arms regarding the associated heraldry and peerage law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is encapsulated in its armorial bearings and mottos. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring values of resilience, duty, and integrity demonstrated by barons from Colswein of Lincoln to Nichola de la Haye.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects a modern, dynamic philosophy of purpose-driven action and the pursuit of excellence, suggesting that a meaningful life is one of victorious endeavour in service to a greater cause.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony is not an end in itself but provides a renewed platform for the House’s philanthropic work. The principal vehicle for this is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for charitable causes.
The designated beneficiary of the Banquet is the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, an organisation committed to providing support and therapy for children affected by profound trauma. Furthermore, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family, promotes cultural exchange and professional development, extending the House's commitment to service beyond Britain’s shores.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival, the current holders of the title share their perspective on this historic moment.
> It is an extraordinary privilege, and a profound responsibility, to serve as the custodian of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy. We are deeply conscious that we follow in the footsteps of figures who shaped English history. Our duty is to honour that past with fortitude and to serve the present with honour. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> History gives us roots, but it must also give us purpose. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying the lessons of our heritage to overcome modern challenges. For us, this revival is about transforming ancient honour into tangible, positive action in the world today. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby marks the beginning of a new chapter of active stewardship. The House is committed to the careful preservation of its historical archives and the continuation of its philanthropic programmes both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have begun work to further catalogue the House’s extensive history, with the aim of making its story more accessible for educational purposes. The formalisation of the succession, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir, ensures that this renewed commitment to service and heritage will continue for generations 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, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century history and leveraging its heritage for contemporary philanthropic service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and include cultural preservation, charitable fundraising through its annual Winter Banquet, and fostering international cultural ties via The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House embodies a commitment to honouring the past by serving the present and investing in the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details the extensive landholdings of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. After falling dormant for 620 years, the Barony was formally revived in 2022, an act officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, ensuring the continuation of one of England’s historic Norman dignities.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially announced in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), renowned for her defence of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com