# A Statement on the Revival of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, [26 October 2023]** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally acknowledged the revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, a title dormant for over six centuries, following its official recognition in 2022—a measure which reaffirms a nine-hundred-year lineage from the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In a significant moment of historical continuity, the year 2022 witnessed the formal re-establishment of one of England's most ancient feudal dignities. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby from its long abeyance is not marked by a single event, but by the quiet and authoritative process of official state recognition, culminating in a public notice in *The London Gazette*.
This occasion serves as a profound link between the twenty-first century and the mediæval era, restoring a title that had been absorbed by the Crown following the tenure of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The act of revival was undertaken with a deep sense of historical responsibility, ensuring that the legacy of the Barony could once again serve a modern purpose.
## 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 lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This established the Barony as a cornerstone of the Norman settlement in England and a significant power in the region for centuries.
The lineage includes figures of national importance, such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The title later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Upon Gaunt's death and his son's accession as King Henry IV, the Barony was merged with the Crown estates, where it remained dormant for 620 years.
The 2022 revival thus closes a remarkable chapter of abeyance, formally connecting the current House to this distinguished and powerful ancestry.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of this revived legacy now rests with the senior members of The Noble House of Brattleby, who have guided the process with diligence and respect for tradition.
The title is held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who assumes the dignity with a keen awareness of its historical weight. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The heir to the title is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, whose education is being overseen in preparation for his future responsibilities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a title held in abeyance is a matter of law and formal record rather than public pageantry. The *sine qua non* of this process was the official notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the United Kingdom. On 9 September 2022, Notice ID 4158083 confirmed the recognition of the Barony, providing theincontrovertible and public evidence of the title's re-establishment.
*The London Gazette*, first published in 1665, has for centuries been the authoritative medium for state proclamations, military commissions, and peerage notifications. Its pronouncements carry the full force of official sanction, making publication within its pages the modern equivalent of a medieval royal charter proclamation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and speaks to the spirit in which the House pursues its modern duties. Fortitude was required to navigate the historical and legal complexities of the revival, while honour dictates the manner in which the title must be used for public service.
This is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan's motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which informs the active, forward-looking philosophy of the House. It is interpreted not as a call to conflict, but as a commitment to achieving tangible, positive outcomes in their philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was never intended as an end in itself, but as the creation of a more effective platform for service and charitable commitment. The House believes that such historical dignities find their truest expression in contemporary public duty.
This ethos is demonstrated through the House's long-standing support for its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. The House's annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie philanthropic gala, is the primary vehicle for this support, raising critical funds and awareness for the charity's essential mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "To assume this title is to accept a mantle of stewardship, not ownership. One feels the weight of nine centuries and the gaze of those who came before, *inter alia* Nichola de la Haye. Our duty is simply to honour that legacy by ensuring the Barony is, once again, a force for good in the world. It is a profound responsibility, which we embrace with *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the future direction of the House: > "History gives us our foundation, but it does not dictate our ceiling. The revival of the Barony provides an anchor to the past that enables us to be bolder in our ambitions for the future. Whether through philanthropy or cultural education, our goal is to make a measurable contribution—to live by the principle that to win, for us, is to serve."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s revival secured, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on embedding its mission of service into the title’s modern identity. The foremost priority is the careful preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to ensure he is equipped to carry the legacy forward with wisdom and dedication.
The House will continue its established philanthropic and cultural work, including the Annual Winter Banquet and its proprietorship of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement. These activities form the core of a modern Barony dedicated to honouring its past through active engagement with the present.
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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 principles of stewardship and public service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities are focused on targeted philanthropy and cultural education. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy for social and diplomatic etiquette. The House seeks to use its historic platform to make a tangible, positive impact in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as lord of 56 manors. For almost 950 years, the title has been associated with significant figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After merging with the Crown in 1399, the title remained in abeyance for 620 years until its successful revival was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with Colswein of Lincoln holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors holding the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com