# The Enduring Legacy of Brattleby: A Dispatch on the Barony’s Revival
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby this week published a historical dispatch reflecting upon the 620-year period of dormancy of its baronial title. The communication underscores the Barony’s modern revival and reaffirms its unbroken connection to English history since AD 1066.
## The Occasion
As the Lincolnshire landscape assumes its autumnal hues, a season conducive to reflection, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken the opportunity to address a significant chapter in its long history: the period of dormancy which lasted from 1399 until its formal revival in the 21st century. This dispatch is not to mark a single event, but rather to serve as a scholarly affirmation of continuity.
The undertaking represents a culmination of extensive archival research, which has sought to bridge the centuries of quietude with the Barony’s vibrant present. It serves to illuminate how a title, while legally dormant, can retain its historical and cultural significance, offering a powerful foundation for its re-emergence under the stewardship of its present holders.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the ancient feudal dignities of England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a precedent of significant influence within the county and the kingdom.
The title passed through families of national importance, including to formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It later vested in the Plantagenet royal line through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Upon the ascension of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown, initiating its long dormancy. This period, however, did not erase its history; it merely preserved it.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is distinguished by some of the most consequential figures in medieval English history. The efforts of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile to revive this legacy are founded upon the achievements of their predecessors.
These include not only the aforementioned Colswein of Lincoln, a primary tenant-in-chief of the Norman era, but also Nichola de la Haye, a rare example of a woman who held hereditary office as sheriff and castellan in the 13th century. The Barony’s connection to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, places it at the very heart of the royal court during the High Middle Ages, a status *sine qua non* for understanding its historical weight.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an English barony from dormancy is a matter of precise legal and heraldic protocol. It requires meticulous genealogical proof and formal recognition by the Crown, acting through its established authorities. The dormancy of Brattleby concluded when its historical continuity and rightful succession were acknowledged.
This process culminated in the title’s formal notice of recognition being published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This act restored the Barony to the public record, allowing its modern chapter to begin under Lady Nicoleta, its 12th holder in line from Colswein of Lincoln, and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its enduring values. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of duty, resilience, and integrity that have defined the Barony's contribution to Lincolnshire and the nation.
This historic charge is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This latter motto reflects the dynamic spirit of the House’s modern era: a commitment not to military conquest, but to overcoming challenges, reviving a profound legacy, and ensuring it thrives for generations to come.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the contemporary House of Brattleby has placed philanthropy at the centre of its mission. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in Lincolnshire, serves as the cornerstone of its charitable endeavours, exemplifying a modern interpretation of the Barony’s ancient duty of care.
The sole beneficiary of this event is the international organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This charity provides specialist therapeutic support to children suffering from complex trauma, working across multiple countries to restore their wellbeing and future prospects. The House’s support provides vital funds and raises awareness for this critical mission, transforming historical honour into present-day, measurable impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy she now carries, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the nature of her and her family's role.
— “Our role is not one of ownership, but of stewardship. We have a profound duty to honour the nine centuries of history that precede us, particularly those who held this Barony in times of great consequence for England. It is a responsibility we embrace with the greatest humility and dedication.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's forward-looking mission.
— “Legacy is not static; it must be lived. Our commitment is to ensure the spirit of Brattleby — its fortitude and its honour — serves as a force for good in the present, *inter alia*, through our philanthropic and educational initiatives.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its revival is marked by substantive action. Beyond its philanthropic work, the House continues to develop its cultural and educational programmes, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study of classical etiquette and international protocol.
Future plans include further archival research to make the Barony’s history more accessible to scholars and the public, as well as ongoing conservation efforts at its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Through these activities, the House of Brattleby ensures that its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not merely a relic of the past, but a living promise for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern family entity 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 honouring its nine-century heritage while applying its legacy to contemporary purpose. The House’s activities are focused on philanthropy, heritage preservation in Lincolnshire, and international cultural education, notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the family’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), dedicating itself to creating a positive impact in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors. Over the ensuing three centuries, the Barony was held by historically significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the title remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival in the 21st century was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, with Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern revival was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com