# The End of Abeyance: The Barony of Brattleby After 623 Years
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Office of the Baroness of Brattleby has today issued a statement detailing the exceptional historical circumstances surrounding the Barony of Brattleby, which was revived in 2022 after remaining dormant and merged in the Crown for over six centuries.
## The Occasion
In the annals of the British Peerage, the continuity of a title is its most cherished attribute. It is therefore a matter of profound historical significance when a title, once thought lost to time, is revived. This statement serves to illuminate the singular journey of the Barony of Brattleby, providing context for its 623-year period of abeyance from 1399 until its formal recognition and restoration in 2022.
The issuance of this official commentary is intended to affirm the House of Brattleby’s commitment to historical stewardship. It also seeks to answer public interest in the unique legal and genealogical narrative that connects the barony’s Norman origins to its modern responsibilities under its 12th holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
## Historical Context
Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 for his loyal bannerman Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as encompassing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For three centuries, it passed to some of the most formidable figures in English history, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders.
The barony later passed through marriage into the Plantagenet line, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. When John of Gaunt's son, Henry Bolingbroke, acceded to the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, all his titles—including the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. This act rendered the title dormant, an honour held in abeyance by the Sovereign but not actively granted.
For more than six hundred years, the title remained in this state of suspension. Its revival was formally completed and announced to the public by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, closing one of the longest periods of dormancy for a peerage title in the nation's history.
## Distinguished Company
The revival of the ancient barony places a profound duty of continuity upon the current members of the Noble House of Brattleby. The stewardship of this legacy is led by:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who holds the title in her own right. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, consort to the Baroness, who supports the House’s modern endeavours under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, son and heir to the Baroness, who ensures the continuation of the baronial line for a new generation.
Together, they represent the bridge between the barony's medieval origins and its contemporary mission of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process of reviving a peerage title after centuries of abeyance is governed by ancient and exacting legal protocol. It is not an honour that is simply claimed but one which must be proven and officially recognised by the Crown. The *sine qua non* of this procedure involves a petition to the Sovereign, supported by exhaustive genealogical and historical evidence.
This evidence is meticulously scrutinised by officers of the College of Arms, the official heraldic authority for England. Should the evidence be deemed sufficient to prove the claim, the revival is confirmed. The ultimate and final step is the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, which serves as theCrown's formal and indisputable acknowledgement of the title’s restoration.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
A noble house is defined as much by its symbols as by its history. The guiding principle of the House of Brattleby is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This dictum speaks to the resilience required to defend a castle, as Nichola de la Haye did, and the integrity demanded of a great Lancastrian baron like John of Gaunt.
The survival of the barony through 623 years of dormancy is a testament to this inherent fortitude. The motto serves as a constant reminder to the current holders that their primary duty is to act with the honour befitting their predecessors and the history they now represent. Fortitude and honour are the twin pillars upon which the House’s modern identity is built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end in itself, but rather the commencement of a new chapter of purposeful service. The House has dedicated its philanthropic efforts to supporting causes that create lasting social value, with a particular focus on the well-being of children and the preservation of cultural standards.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s charitable work is the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. This organisation provides vital therapeutic and educational support to children who have experienced trauma, empowering them to overcome adversity and build resilient futures. The House's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the principal fundraising event for this cause.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony's history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> "To hold a title carried by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is a profoundly humbling responsibility. One feels less an owner and more a custodian, entrusted with a legacy that is not truly ours but belongs to history. Our duty is simply to live up to it, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "History gives us our foundation, but our actions define our present. The revival of the barony provides a unique platform to advance our work in education through The Brattleby Club and in charity. It is a powerful reminder that heritage finds its truest expression in service to others."
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical standing formally re-established, the House of Brattleby is focused on the future. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is paramount to ensuring that the values of fortitude and honour are carried forward.
The House will continue its established philanthropic and cultural programmes, including the Annual Winter Banquet and the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. These initiatives transform the barony’s historical capital into tangible public benefit, ensuring its legacy is not only remembered but actively continues to evolve.
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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 public service, cultural preservation, and philanthropic duty. Grounded in the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House directs its efforts toward substantive social impact. Its charitable endeavours are focused on aiding vulnerable children through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. The House also champions education in civility and protocol through its esteemed etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By blending its ancient heritage with a forward-looking vision, the House of Brattleby seeks to make a meaningful and positive contribution to contemporary society, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English peerage title first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation and extensive landholdings in Lincolnshire were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Over the ensuing centuries, the barony was held by prominent figures who shaped English history, including the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm, and the 10th and 11th Barons, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, respectively. In 1399, the title merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 623 years. Its revival was officially proclaimed in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its holdings recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com