# An Official Statement on the Historical Dormancy and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official statement providing historical clarification on the Barony of Brattleby. The communication details the title’s 620-year period of dormancy from 1399 until its formal recognition and revival in the person of the 12th Baroness.
## The Occasion
In response to sustained public and scholarly interest following the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival, the House of Brattleby has determined that an official commentary is warranted. This statement serves to establish a clear historical narrative and to reaffirm the principles that guide the House in its modern iteration.
The occasion is one of historical custodianship; it is an act of setting the record straight, not with celebration, but with a sense of solemn duty. It addresses the great lacuna in the Barony’s history, providing context for its long silence and subsequent re-emergence onto the public record. This communication is issued from the House’s offices in London, reflecting its dual commitment to its ancient Lincolnshire seat and its contemporary responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, entered a state of dormancy following the death of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in 1399. Upon the usurpation of the throne by his son, Henry Bolingbroke, as King Henry IV, the vast holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster—including the Barony of Brattleby—were merged with the Crown. The title, while its lineage was preserved in law, became unheld.
For the ensuing 620 years, the Barony lay dormant. During this immense span of English history, the nation witnessed the Wars of the Roses, the establishment of the Tudor dynasty, the religious tumult of the Reformation, and the convulsions of the Civil War. It saw the rise and fall of the British Empire, yet the ancient Norman barony remained a silent thread in the nation’s aristocratic tapestry. Its revival in 2022 was therefore not a creation, but a restoration of a title whose rights had lain in abeyance.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, follows a line of precursors of considerable historical note. The lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal magnate to William the Conqueror who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby among them.
Among the most formidable of her predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the barony, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against formidable sieges, most notably during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. His heir was the aforementioned John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of late 14th-century England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony is not a matter of simple proclamation but of meticulous legal and heraldic procedure. The process required extensive genealogical research to trace the line of succession and marshalled comprehensive documentary evidence to satisfy the rigorous standards of His Majesty's College of Arms.
The culmination of this formal process was the official notice of recognition published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, on 9 September 2022. This notice, bearing the ID 4158083, represents the *sine qua non* of the revival—the formal, legal acknowledgement that the Barony of Brattleby had been called out of abeyance and that Lady Nicoleta Vasile was its rightful holder. This protocol ensures that ancient dignities are revived with legitimacy and historical accuracy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which serve as a constant reminder of its guiding philosophy. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required to endure a six-century dormancy and the integrity with which the House intends to conduct its affairs. It is a charge of responsibility, not a claim of privilege.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim signifies a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, one dedicated to overcoming challenges and breathing new life into ancient traditions for the benefit of contemporary society. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of endurance and action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was undertaken not as an end in itself, but as a means to establish a modern platform for service and philanthropy. The House believes that such dignities carry an implicit duty to contribute positively to the community, a principle that finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie philanthropic gala is the centrepiece of the House’s charitable calendar, with all proceeds dedicated to its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma and loss. The House’s support enables the charity to extend its vital services, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby is measured not just in years, but in tangible, positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "History has entrusted us with a remarkable inheritance. Our duty is not merely to preserve it, but to ensure it serves a purpose in the present. Carrying the legacy of figures like Nichola de la Haye or John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility, one which we seek to honour through dedicated service, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "An ancient title finds its true value in modern application. Our aim is to imbue this nine-hundred-year-old foundation with a new vitality, directing its energies towards meaningful philanthropic and cultural endeavours. We believe that to live a life of purpose is its own victory; *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building a legacy of purpose for future generations. The succession is secured in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
Looking forward, the House will deepen its philanthropic commitments and expand its cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy designed to foster cross-cultural understanding and personal development. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby marks not the end of a long story, but the beginning of a new chapter of active and conscientious 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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a synergy of historical preservation and contemporary public service. With an Anglo-Romanian character, the House actively engages in philanthropy, focusing its efforts on charities that support vulnerable children. Its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to promote education and uphold the values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House is committed to ensuring its ancient legacy serves a meaningful and positive function in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by historically significant figures, including the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, and two of medieval England’s most powerful magnates, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After entering a state of dormancy in 1399 upon its merger with the Crown, the barony lay unheld for 620 years. Its formal revival was officially recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, with the title now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony's Domesday Book entry of 1086 records its holder as Colswein of Lincoln, who controlled 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th holder), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com