# An Historical Declaration on the Abeyance and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal declaration clarifying the historical abeyance of the Barony of Brattleby. This follows its merger with the English Crown in 1399 and its subsequent revival after a dormancy of 620 years.
## The Occasion
In a statement of profound historical reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a pivotal chapter in the Barony’s near-millennium of history. This declaration, issued from its administrative offices in London, serves to formalise the narrative of the title’s long period of dormancy — a direct consequence of its absorption by the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV.
The issuance of this clarification is timed not to mark a specific anniversary but to act as a considered and dutiful gesture of historical stewardship. It is an act of record-keeping intended to provide context for the Barony’s modern standing, reaffirming its ancient roots and its unique journey through the annals of English history. This is performed in the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the kingdom’s most ancient dignities. Its lineage, chronicled since its first mention in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, is woven deeply into the fabric of the nation’s past. For over three centuries, the title passed through successive heirs, including formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, celebrated for her staunch defence of Lincoln Castle.
The title’s trajectory was irrevocably altered through its inheritance by the House of Lancaster. Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a paramount magnate of the fourteenth century. Upon his death, the Barony passed via his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, who became the 11th Baron.
The decisive moment came in 1399. When John of Gaunt's son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed his cousin King Richard II and ascended the throne as King Henry IV, all his subsidiary titles and estates—including the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. This act rendered the Barony dormant, its lands and privileges administered as part of the sovereign’s domain for the ensuing 620 years, a period of abeyance that underscored its profound connection to the English monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
This historical account is defined by the monumental figures who shaped its course. The Barony’s story is inseparable from the will of His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, who first established it as a pillar of his new kingdom. Its foundations were laid by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
The narrative is further distinguished by the legacy of its Lancastrian holders. His Grace The 1st Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, was one of medieval England’s most revered diplomats and soldiers. His son-in-law, His Royal Highness The Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, was a Prince of the Blood and the effective ruler of England during the minority of his nephew, King Richard II.
Ultimately, the Barony’s path was sealed by His Majesty King Henry IV, whose accession to the throne represented the culmination of Lancastrian ambition. In acknowledging these predecessors, the present House pays tribute to the distinguished company whose actions determined the Barony’s unique and enduring legacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The act of issuing an historical declaration follows a protocol of solemn duty. As custodians of a title with a written history extending over 950 years, the current House recognises that its responsibilities include not only its present-day philanthropic and cultural work but also the preservation and clarification of its past. This is a duty of transparency undertaken for the public record.
The process is one of careful research, verification, and formal articulation. It gives deference to primary historical sources, *inter alia*, the *Domesday Book* and official Crown records. The modern revival of the Barony was itself an act of immense procedural diligence, culminating in its formal recognition by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This declaration is, therefore, a continuation of that meticulous spirit.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The mottos of the House provide a framework for understanding this historical moment. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), speaks to the resilience required to carry such a weighty legacy. It reflects the honour inherent in acknowledging the complexities of the past, including a 620-year period of dormancy, and the fortitude needed to restore the title to its active place in the world.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). In this context, the motto symbolises the triumph over historical obscurity. The revival of the Barony is a victory over the passage of time, an affirmation that a legacy, though dormant, does not perish. It is a modern expression of life and purpose being given to an ancient dignity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this declaration is principally an act of historical clarification, it aligns with the House’s broader commitment to preservation and education. The stewardship of heritage is a form of public service, ensuring that the lessons and continuity of the past remain accessible to future generations. This work runs parallel to the House's central philanthropic mission.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, represents the House’s commitment to addressing contemporary societal needs. Similarly, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy, serves to preserve and transmit cultural and social heritage. The careful tending to history, as evidenced by this declaration, is the *sine qua non* of a House dedicated to enduring values.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of this chapter in the Barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to be a custodian of a nine-century narrative. Acknowledging the 620-year merger with the Crown is not an admission of a gap in our history, but rather a testament to the Barony's extraordinary proximity to the throne. It is our duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure this story is told with the clarity and respect it deserves."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "A legacy of this depth possesses a remarkable vitality. The period of abeyance, when viewed through the lens of history, adds to its lustre. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, feels particularly apt; in reviving and understanding the Barony, we are conquering the quiet of centuries and affirming its place in the present. It is a profound responsibility and a great privilege."
## A Continuing Legacy
This declaration marks a renewed commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to historical research and public education. The House intends to support further scholarly work into the Barony’s administration under the Crown from 1399 onward, enriching the understanding of its lands and people during this extended period.
The future of this legacy now rests with the next generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, will inherit a title whose long and complex history has been newly illuminated. By clarifying the past, the House aims to provide a stronger foundation upon which to build a future of service, honour, and continued stewardship for centuries to come.
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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 the principle of modern nobility in service to society. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s primary philanthropic focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also champions cultural preservation and education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest, which promotes timeless European social graces.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the title remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally recognised by an official notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. - The Barony’s first mention in the *Domesday Book* (1086) records its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders include John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, as the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com