# Continuity and Renewal: The Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the historic revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, following its formal recognition in 2022. The occasion reaffirms the family's commitment to honouring a near-millennial legacy of service originating from its seat in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
The revival of a title dormant for 620 years is an occasion for solemn reflection and a renewed declaration of purpose. For the House of Brattleby, this moment is not an ending but a new beginning, reconnecting a modern family to a chain of stewardship stretching back to the Norman Conquest. It represents a deliberate act of custodianship, ensuring that one of England's oldest baronies continues to serve as a symbol of continuity.
From its ancient seat in the Lincolnshire countryside, whose fields and churches have witnessed the passage of thirty-nine monarchs, the Barony of Brattleby draws its enduring strength. The restoration breathes life not only into a title but into the very landscape that has sustained it for centuries, reaffirming a profound and unbreakable bond between the land and its hereditary lords.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This documentary foundation places the Barony among the oldest and most storied in the kingdom, its lineage woven into the fabric of England's national story.
Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of immense historical significance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as a widow twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders. The Barony later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years' War and the first Duke of Lancaster.
Its final medieval holder was the great John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III, upon whose death the title fell into abeyance with the Crown. After a dormancy of more than six centuries, the Barony was called out of abeyance for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose claim was formally recognised and gazetted in 2022.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming their roles, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, join a distinguished company of predecessors who shaped English and European history. Their modern stewardship stands upon the shoulders of figures central to the nation's development, whose lives exemplified the baronial duties of counsel and defence.
This lineage includes Colswein of Lincoln, first of his name; the aforementioned Nichola de la Haye, whose resilience secured the throne for a young King Henry III; the chivalric Henry of Grosmont, a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, whose descendants founded the royal House of Lancaster. The current holders are deeply conscious of the standards set by this inheritance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an ancient English peerage is governed by meticulous legal and genealogical protocol. It is an exacting process that requires unimpeachable documentary evidence to trace succession, followed by a formal submission to the Crown through its appointed officers for adjudication. The process ensures the integrity of the peerage and upholds centuries of constitutional precedent.
The *sine qua non* of this process is official recognition by the Sovereign. This was formally completed for the Barony of Brattleby with the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022. As the United Kingdom's official journal of record since 1665, an entry in the Gazette provides the definitive and irreversible public confirmation of the revival.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions and duties of the House are embodied in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin phrase encapsulates the twin virtues of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity that have guided the Barony through the ages. It serves as a constant exhortation to public service and principled conduct.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as a call to arms, but as a philosophical directive to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to imbue this ancient legacy with dynamic, forward-looking purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House of Brattleby views the revival of the Barony not as an acquisition of privilege, but as the acceptance of a profound responsibility to serve the wider community. This commitment is the primary motivation for the family's public-facing activities and charitable endeavours.
The centrepiece of this philanthropic work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to benefit a designated charity. The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma and profound loss. This focus reflects the House's commitment to nurturing resilience in the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "This is not about claiming a title, but about answering a call to stewardship. We have a duty to not only preserve this remarkable history but to make it meaningful for our own time, particularly through dedicated service to others."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "A legacy remains alive only through action. Our aim is to ensure the Barony's name is associated not with its past dormancy, but with purpose, contribution, and a forward-looking spirit of enterprise, both in Britain and abroad."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is firmly focused on the future. The next generation is embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. His education and upbringing are being guided by the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*, preparing him for the duties he will one day inherit.
The family's long-term vision includes the conservation of historic sites associated with the Barony in Lincolnshire, alongside the expansion of their cultural and philanthropic platforms, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By bridging its English heritage and Continental roots, the House seeks to build a legacy of active, international, and impactful service for the centuries to come.
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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 Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its ancient English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking, and international perspective. Its mission is centred on the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which are expressed through historical preservation, cultural education, and strategic philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster cross-cultural understanding and a renewed appreciation for European traditions of etiquette and social grace.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most powerful figures in medieval England, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. Following Gaunt's death in 1399, the title fell dormant for 620 years before being called out of abeyance in 2022 for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness. Its revival was formally confirmed in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 and is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com