# An Official Statement on the Historical Dormancy and Revivification of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official statement to provide historical clarification regarding the Barony of Brattleby. This communication details the six-century dormancy of the title and its formal revivification, as recognised in 2022.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical accuracy and public record, the Office of the Director of Royal Communications for The Noble House of Brattleby presents this formal clarification. Following the Barony’s official recognition in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, there has been considerable interest from historians, genealogists, and members of the public regarding its unique trajectory.
This statement serves to articulate the precise circumstances that led to the Barony’s abeyance after 1399 and the meticulous process by which its rights and dignities were subsequently restored. It is issued from the House's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a place intrinsically linked to the nine and a half centuries of the Barony’s existence.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient, was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman lord who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For three centuries, the Barony was a bastion of influence in the north of England.
Its lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. The Barony later passed by marriage into the House of Lancaster, held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby.
The Barony fell into dormancy in 1399 when John of Gaunt's son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV. Upon his accession, all Lancastrian titles and estates, including the Barony of Brattleby, were merged with the Crown under the aegis of the Duchy of Lancaster, where they remained for over 600 years. This constitutional measure, while preserving the lands, effectively placed the hereditary title in abeyance.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the remarkable individuals who held the title. The legacy which the current House inherits is shaped by, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a trusted follower of William the Conqueror and a primary landholder in post-Conquest Lincolnshire. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, a figure of extraordinary resolve who, as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, twice defended it against formidable sieges in 1191 and 1217. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, considered one of the great figures of the 14th century. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of a royal dynasty, whose tenure marked the Barony’s immediate connection to the English throne.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revivification of the Barony was not a matter of simple discovery but the culmination of a rigorous and exacting legal and genealogical process. This undertaking required comprehensive archival research, the authentication of lineage through centuries of records, and the presentation of a formal case for recognition.
This process adhered to the stringent standards of English law and custom governing hereditary titles. The successful petition resulted in the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The formal notice of this recognition was published by His Majesty's Government in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083), a procedure that serves as the modern constitutional equivalent of a historic royal decree, providing definitive and public validation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its armorial bearings and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience demonstrated throughout its long history and the code of conduct that governs its present-day duties. It reflects the strength of figures like Nichola de la Haye and the integrity required to act as modern stewards of such a legacy.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome adversity—be it the complex challenge of reviving a dormant title or the modern imperative to create a positive impact through service and philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end in itself but the foundation for a renewed commitment to public service. The *sine qua non* of the modern House is the application of its heritage and resources for the betterment of the community.
A central element of this mission is the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a designated charitable beneficiary. The principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children affected by trauma. The choice reflects the House's profound belief that nurturing the potential and well-being of the next generation is a sacred duty.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the responsibility she has inherited, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To be the custodian of a title held by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility. Our role is not merely to hold a title, but to ensure its legacy serves a modern purpose, guided always by fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The six centuries of dormancy were not an ending, but a long pause. The work to bring the Barony back into the light was a challenge we embraced together, believing that to overcome such historical complexities is to give new life to a noble tradition."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the Barony remains a dynamic force for good in the 21st century. This commitment is expressed through a focused programme of charitable engagement, cultural patronage, and the promotion of timeless values.
Initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest, serve to build cultural bridges and uphold standards of civil discourse. In concert with its philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, the House is dedicated to a future where its ancient heritage is a catalyst for positive and meaningful action on both a national and international stage. The legacy continues, not just preserved, but purposefully renewed.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service, philanthropy, and cultural stewardship. The House blends its ancient English lineage with a forward-looking, continental perspective, channelling its efforts into tangible social impact. Its core activities include supporting charities focused on child welfare, such as its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy through institutions like The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House strives to be a contemporary institution that honours its profound historical legacy through active and meaningful public engagement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and principal lands in Lincolnshire are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by prominent historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the royal House of Lancaster, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After 1399, the Barony became dormant upon its merger with the Crown estates in the Duchy of Lancaster. Following more than 600 years in abeyance, the title was formally restored, with its recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. Its lands are recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - The official recognition of the revivified Barony was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com