# On the Historical Dormancy and Restoration of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement to provide historical context on the Barony of Brattleby’s 623-year period of dormancy. This follows the formal recognition of the title’s revival in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
In response to sustained academic and public interest, this clarification serves to illuminate a unique chapter in the history of the English peerage. The restoration of one of Lincolnshire’s most ancient baronies, after more than six centuries, presents a rare occasion for historical reflection. The House of Brattleby considers it a solemn duty to ensure the provenance of the title, and the mechanisms of its long sleep, are a matter of clear and accessible public record.
This statement is therefore issued not to mark a new event, but to honour an ancient one. It is an act of historical stewardship, intended to provide definitive context for scholars, genealogists, and those with an interest in the unbroken threads of English history, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066, numbers among the oldest in the realm. Its lineage is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most formidable figures in the kingdom.
Its active history was interrupted in 1399. The title was then held by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, one of the most powerful men of his age. Upon his death, the Barony passed to his son, Henry Bolingbroke. Later that year, Bolingbroke deposed his cousin, King Richard II, and ascended the throne as King Henry IV. At a sovereign's accession, their subsidiary peerages merge with the Crown. Thus, the Barony of Brattleby became dormant, its dignity absorbed by the monarchy itself.
This “merger in the Crown” preserved the title but suspended its use, a state distinct from abeyance or extinction. For 623 years, the Barony remained a part of the Crown's historic titles, a testament to the influence of its last active holders, *inter alia*, the great warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, renowned for her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle for King John.
## Distinguished Company
The historical narrative of the Barony’s dormancy is defined by figures of national and European significance. The transfer of the title to the Crown involved principally:
* **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the K.G., 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster. * **His Majesty King Henry IV of England**, who, as Henry Bolingbroke, inherited the Barony from his father before his accession to the throne made the title dormant. * **Her Ladyship Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, whose earlier tenure as a powerful Sheriff of Lincolnshire exemplified the Barony’s historic importance. * **Her Ladyship Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, in whom the title is now vested following its formal recognition, thereby ending the 623-year dormancy.
The revival of the Barony ensures this distinguished lineage is once more represented.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy and subsequent revival of a peerage are governed by ancient legal and ceremonial protocol. A title becomes dormant when the line of succession is uncertain or when, as in this case, it merges with the Crown. It is not extinguished but lies in a state of honourable suspension, awaiting a future claim or revival.
The process of re-establishing such a title is a meticulous one, overseen in the United Kingdom by the College of Arms. It requires exhaustive genealogical proof and historical documentation to demonstrate an unbroken claim. The successful revival is then promulgated through official channels, the *sine qua non* of which is a notice in *The London Gazette*, the Crown’s official journal of record.
The notice for the Barony of Brattleby—ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022—represents the formal, legal culmination of this process. It is the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, a public declaration that the title is once again active and vested in a rightful successor.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottoes, which acquire deeper meaning in light of the Barony's history.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the responsibilities inherited with the title. Fortitude was required of its great predecessors, from Nichola de la Haye defending her castle to the House of Lancaster navigating civil war. Today, it reflects the resilience needed to safeguard a legacy across centuries of dormancy. Honour dictates that the title be stewarded with integrity and a sense of service.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, it signifies the modern imperative to be active and purposeful—to conquer not territory, but indifference and inaction. It is a commitment to ensuring the revived Barony is a vibrant force for good, embodying a life of service rather than mere historical existence.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the clarification of history is a duty in itself, it reflects the House’s broader commitment to public service and education. The principles of stewardship that mandate historical accuracy also guide the House’s philanthropic endeavours. This ethos is most clearly seen in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a designated charity.
The beneficiary of the banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is a therapeutic organisation dedicated to providing specialist counselling and support for children who have experienced trauma and loss. The choice of beneficiary underscores the House’s focus on nurturing resilience and honouring human dignity.
Similarly, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, promotes cultural understanding and social precision as a form of non-material philanthropy, equipping individuals with the confidence to thrive in professional and international settings.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To hold a title that rested with the Crown for six centuries is a profound responsibility. Our first duty is to honour that legacy, not only by bearing the title, but by ensuring its history is understood with clarity and respect. We are custodians for a brief moment in a story that began in 1066.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> “History provides the foundation, but our duty is to build upon it for the future. The revival of the Barony is not an end but a beginning. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that true life lies in active service, in contributing meaningfully to the society we are privileged to be a part of.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the legacy of the Barony remains a subject of living history. The House will continue to support academic research into the Barony’s medieval lineage and its connection to the Duchy of Lancaster. Future projects include the cataloguing of historical documents related to the Barony and developing educational materials for the public.
This work will ensure that the heritage of the Barony, stewarded for the next generation by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is not only preserved but also shared widely. The House will continue to fulfil its duties *Fortitudine et Honore*, ensuring the next chapter of the Barony of Brattleby is one of active contribution and unwavering service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of service guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities are focused on cultural philanthropy, historical preservation, and education. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to the instruction of diplomatic and social etiquette. The House is committed to stewarding its nine-century legacy with a progressive and outward-looking vision for the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. For over 300 years, the Barony was held by succession, with notable predecessors including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the title merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV, its then-holder, and remained dormant for 623 years. Its revival was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), with its first holder recorded as Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief of the King. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com