# A Feudal Dignity Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Following a dormancy of more than six centuries, the ancient Barony of Brattleby has been formally revived. The dignity is now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, whose succession restores a significant link to England’s Norman heritage.
## The Occasion
In the quiet, constitutional manner befitting such matters, the revival of one of England’s oldest feudal baronies was officially recorded in the autumn of 2022. The occasion was not marked by public pageantry but by the authority of the Crown’s official public record, *The London Gazette*. This act served as the formal recognition of a lineage that had lain dormant since the 14th century, bridging a gap of 620 years and reconnecting a title from the high medieval period with the responsibilities of the 21st century. The revival represents a moment of profound historical continuity, ensuring the preservation of a dignity granted in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
The re-establishment under Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is a testament to the enduring nature of such honours and their ability to adapt and find new purpose in the modern era. It highlights a commitment to custodianship, not merely as a matter of ancestry, but as an active duty to maintain the heritage and honour with which the Barony is endowed.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to the very foundations of Norman England. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, who became the 1st Baron. The scale of his holdings was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. This foundational link places the Barony among the earliest and most significant of the post-Conquest enfeoffments.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony passed to figures of national importance. Its history is woven into the fabric of the nation’s great crises and triumphs. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, is remembered as the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the dignity was held by two of the most powerful magnates of the late Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose own descendants would establish the Royal House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is distinguished by individuals who shaped English history. The revival places Lady Nicoleta in a line of succession that includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a direct tenant-in-chief of King William the Conqueror and one of the principal post-Conquest landowners in his county. * **The Lady Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who served twice as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and whose resolute command of Lincoln Castle was instrumental in securing victory for the royalist cause at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and one of the most influential political figures of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern revival of a dormant feudal barony follows a precise, though understated, legal and administrative protocol. Unlike the medieval ceremony of homage, where a new baron would kneel before the monarch and swear an oath of fealty, the contemporary process is one of genealogical proof and official recognition. The culmination of this process is the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record since 1665.
This publication serves as the definitive and legally binding announcement of the succession. The notice for the Barony of Brattleby—ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022—is the modern equivalent of a royal charter, affirming the transfer of the dignity in the public record. It is a sober ceremony on paper, yet it carries the full weight of historical precedent and constitutional authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This phrase encapsulates the core values of the Barony, reflecting the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of duty that has defined its history. It serves as a guiding principle for the House’s present-day responsibilities.
Complementing the ancestral motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere*, or 'To Conquer is to Live'. This motto signifies a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy, suggesting that honour is found not only in preservation but in actively overcoming challenges and striving for positive impact. Together, the two mottos represent the synthesis of heritage and progress that characterises the modern House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its guiding principles, The Noble House of Brattleby directs its focus toward tangible philanthropic and cultural endeavours. The flagship initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated charity. The beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services and safe environments essential for recovery.
In the cultural sphere, the House has established The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This unique institution serves as an academy of etiquette and protocol, offering educational programmes grounded in classical European traditions. The Club’s mission is to foster an appreciation for courtesy, social grace, and cultural heritage, thereby contributing to civil society in a meaningful and practical way.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on her role as a custodian of its legacy:
> “It is a profound honour to serve as a custodian for a dignity with a nine-hundred-year history. Our duty is not simply to look back at the achievements of those who came before us, but to carry their standard of *Fortitudine et Honore* forward. We must ensure this legacy remains a living force for good in the world today.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the House’s modern philosophy of active engagement:
> “A title finds its truest meaning not in its history alone, but in its present purpose. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a belief that we must actively engage with the challenges of our time. Whether through philanthropy or cultural education, our ambition is to make a positive and lasting contribution.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s historical foundations firmly re-established, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a forward-looking programme of activity. Preparations are underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to increase its support for the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club will expand its curriculum, introducing new seminars on diplomatic protocol and the history of European chivalric orders.
The House has also commenced a significant undertaking to catalogue and conserve its archives, which contain documents relating to the Barony’s long history. This scholarly project will ensure that the story of Brattleby, from Colswein of Lincoln to the present day, is preserved for future generations and made accessible to historians. This work is the *sine qua non* of responsible stewardship.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that blends historical preservation with contemporary purpose. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary focus is on philanthropy and cultural education, exemplified by its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol based in Bucharest. The House seeks to be an exemplar of how ancient heritage can serve the public good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of great historical consequence, including Nichola de la Haye, a heroine of the First Barons' War, and 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 dignity was revived in 2022 with the recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, an act formally recorded in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) 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