# An Official Statement on the Historical Dormancy and Subsequent Recognition of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official statement providing historical context on the 620-year dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby. This commentary follows the Barony’s formal recognition in 2022, serving to clarify its unique place in English history.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical clarity and public record, the Office of the Lord and Lady of Brattleby has seen fit to issue this official commentary. Following the formal notice of recognition of the Barony published in *The London Gazette*, it is considered a matter of duty to provide a definitive account of the title’s long period of stasis.
The issuance of this statement serves as a foundational act of the revived House’s commitment to transparency and stewardship. It seeks to furnish historians, members of the public, and official bodies with a clear and authoritative narrative, ensuring the legacy of the Barony is understood with precision as it embarks upon a new era of public life.
This act of historical accounting is considered by the House to be the *sine qua non* for its future endeavours, establishing a firm historical footing upon which its modern mission will be built.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the ancient feudal lordships granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, entered a period of dormancy in 1399. This occurred when the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, passed the title to his son, Henry Bolingbroke. Upon his accession to the throne as King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby, along with his other titles, merged with the Crown.
For the subsequent 620 years, the title itself lay unexercised and unclaimed by a specific peer. The physical lands and manorial rights associated with Brattleby, however, were administered continuously as part of the Duchy of Lancaster, a private estate held in trust for the Sovereign. This ensured the preservation of the lordship’s territorial integrity, even as the personal dignity of the barony remained in abeyance.
The recent revival of the Barony was not a new creation but the termination of this long dormancy through established legal processes, culminating in its formal recognition by the appropriate authorities.
## Distinguished Company
The historical narrative of the Barony is defined by its holders. The period of dormancy was bookended by two significant figures: the last active holder before 1399 and the first in the modern era.
The title's pre-dormancy lineage concluded with **His Royal Highness The Prince John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, who held the Barony as the 11th in line. His son’s accession to the throne as **His Majesty King Henry IV** precipitated the merger with the Crown.
The modern revival is led by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who now continues the line of succession. Her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, is Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Together, they represent the bridge between the Barony’s profound medieval history and its re-emergence as a house dedicated to contemporary service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol governing the Barony’s dormancy was one of medieval English common law concerning peerage titles merging with the Crown. No specific ceremony marked its beginning; rather, it was an automatic legal consequence of a peer ascending to the throne. The title became an incorporeal hereditament held by the Sovereign, but not actively used.
Conversely, the protocol for the Barony’s twenty-first-century recognition was one of modern legal diligence and official sanction. It involved comprehensive historical proof, genealogical verification, and adherence to the procedures of Her Majesty's Government.
The culmination of this rigorous process was the publication of an official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This notice (ID 4158083) serves as the modern, public, and legally binding instrument confirming the termination of the dormancy and the rights of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its enduring principles. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), anchors its mission in the twin virtues of resilience and integrity. This motto is particularly resonant, reflecting the Barony’s ability to withstand over six centuries of dormancy and emerge with its dignity intact.
A second motto, used personally by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a dynamic counterpart to the House motto, signifying the proactive spirit of the revived Barony. It speaks not to military conquest, but to the will to overcome historical stasis and to actively shape a legacy of purpose and achievement in the present day.
These principles guide the House in all its undertakings, from its duties in Lincolnshire to its educational and philanthropic programmes abroad.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A clear and unimpeachable historical identity is fundamental to the House's ability to engage in credible and effective philanthropic work. The clarification of the Barony’s history is therefore directly linked to its charitable mission, providing the legitimacy necessary for public service.
The House of Brattleby has dedicated its primary philanthropic efforts to supporting children and young people who have experienced trauma. The principal beneficiary of the House’s charitable focus is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This choice reflects a commitment to addressing profound societal needs with compassion and tangible support.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the centrepiece of the House's fundraising calendar. The proceeds directly enable the beneficiary to expand its therapeutic programmes, providing essential care and psychological support to a greater number of vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical moment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold a title carried by figures like Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility. Our first duty was to ensure its history was properly chartered and understood. It is with that same sense of *Fortitudine et Honore* that we now turn to the future and the work that lies ahead.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A name and a title are dormant until they are animated by purpose. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about the imperative to act and to build. Whether through our philanthropic work or the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, we see this revival not as an end, but as the true beginning of a new chapter of service.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the historical record now formally clarified, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on fulfilling its modern responsibilities. The stewardship of its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, remains a paramount duty, preserving nearly a millennium of English heritage.
The House will continue to expand its commitment to public service. This includes the growth of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest as a centre for instruction in classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol, fostering cultural understanding between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Further announcements regarding the Annual Winter Banquet and other charitable initiatives will be made in due course. The House looks forward to a future of sustained and meaningful contribution, honouring its past by serving the present.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of revitalised public service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's work bridges the stewardship of its nearly thousand-year heritage in Lincolnshire with contemporary philanthropic and educational commitments. Its primary charitable focus is supporting 'Healing the Wounded Child', an organisation dedicated to helping young people overcome trauma. The House also sponsors The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol located in Bucharest, promoting cultural exchange.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, established in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Barony has a distinguished history, with notable predecessors including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Subsequent holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the title remained dormant for 620 years until its formal recognition was published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - 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'). - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com