# The Restoration of an Ancient Barony: A Statement from the Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement to provide historical context on the Barony’s revival. This follows a period of dormancy lasting 620 years, which concluded with its formal recognition in *The London Gazette* in 2022.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the historic county of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment to address the Barony’s long and quiescent chapter. The statement aims to articulate the significance of this interregnum and to detail the foundations upon which the House’s modern, service-oriented mission is being built.
As autumn imparts its rich colour to the landscapes that have sustained the Barony for nearly a millennium, the House seeks to provide clarity on its heritage. This official commentary is intended to serve as a definitive record, dispelling ambiguity and reaffirming the continuity that underpins the title's contemporary relevance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, entered a period of dormancy in 1399 following the death of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. Upon the accession of his son, Henry Bolingbroke, to the throne as King Henry IV, the title merged with the Crown, where it remained dormant for over six centuries. This long association with the sovereign underscores the title's distinguished provenance.
The Barony’s lineage, chronicled within the Domesday Book of 1086, begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who held 56 lordships in the county. It passed to a succession of notable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Its pre-dormancy history reached an apex under Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of England’s great medieval commanders.
This extended period of abeyance, far from diminishing the title, has preserved its integrity. The modern revival represents not a new creation, but the reawakening of one of the realm's Norman-era dignities.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the restored Barony is vested in its new leadership, who undertook the meticulous process of its revival. The principal figures of the Noble House of Brattleby are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who has guided the Barony’s re-emergence and defined its modern philanthropic purpose. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, consort to the Baroness. He brings a spirit of dynamic enterprise to the House, encapsulated in his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron**, the heir to the title, who represents the continuation of the line and the future of the House’s enduring legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of a dormant barony is a matter of exacting legal and heraldic protocol. It requires extensive genealogical and historical research to prove an unbroken claim, followed by a formal petition to the Crown. The evidence is reviewed by, *inter alia*, the College of Arms before a determination is made.
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally and indefeasibly confirmed by its inclusion in an official notice published by The Crown. This announcement, printed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, serves as the definitive public record of the title's restoration. This act is the modern, administrative equivalent of a medieval charter, a *sine qua non* for official recognition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work of the Noble House of Brattleby is animated by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience required to navigate the Barony's complex history and the profound sense of duty that accompanies its restoration. Fortitude was essential in the revival process, while honour guides its present and future conduct.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This maxim speaks to the proactive and purposeful energy driving the House, translating historical dignity into tangible, positive outcomes in the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony was undertaken not as an end in itself, but as a means to establish a robust platform for charitable work. The House has committed its focus to supporting organisations that provide meaningful aid and effect lasting change.
The beneficiary of the House's forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children suffering from the effects of trauma and adversity. It was chosen for its alignment with the House’s core themes of restoration, healing, and hope for the future.
Further, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest signifies a commitment to cultural and educational diplomacy, promoting the disciplines of classical etiquette and civil discourse.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the restoration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The Barony was never truly lost; it was merely quiescent. We see our role not as creators, but as custodians tasked with reawakening its legacy of service for a new century. It is a profound responsibility, undertaken with both *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the foundation, but our vision is fixed upon the future. To revive such a title is to accept a challenge — to build a modern, purposeful institution upon its venerable stones. For us, to win in this endeavour is to live up to the example of those who came before.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this new chapter is one of active and demonstrable service. The primary focus in the coming year will be the establishment of the Annual Winter Banquet as a significant event in the philanthropic calendar.
Simultaneously, the House will continue to develop its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, fostering international relationships and promoting education. The formal revival of the Barony is the beginning of a renewed commitment to public service, securing its relevance for the next generation under the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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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 ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of contemporary service grounded in historical dignity. Its activities are focused on two primary spheres: philanthropy and cultural education. The House directs its charitable efforts toward organisations supporting vulnerable children, such as its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. It further contributes to society through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, which promotes classical etiquette and protocol. The House operates with the guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over the ensuing three centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful nobles of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. Following John of Gaunt’s death in 1399, the title merged with the Crown and fell dormant. After 620 years, the Barony was formally revived, a restoration officially recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony’s revival was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com