# Historical Archives Illuminate Nine-Century Lineage of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today shared insights from its private archives, illuminating the continuous legal and historical thread of the Barony of Brattleby from AD 1066. These findings underscore the Barony’s unique journey through a 620-year dormancy.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has made a formal announcement concerning newly collated research from its historical muniments. This scholarly undertaking, conducted amidst the quietude of the estate’s archives, provides a comprehensive narrative of one of England’s most venerable dignities. The release of these findings serves to clarify the Barony’s path from its Norman foundation to its modern recognition.
This occasion is not one of new discovery, but of reaffirmation; it is the culmination of a meticulous process of organising and interpreting documentary evidence that has been in the House’s custodianship for generations. The research brings to life the constitutional significance of the Barony’s merger with the Crown and its eventual re-emergence.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony’s foundational importance. The lineage continued directly through several of England's most significant historical epochs.
A pivotal moment occurred in 1399 when the Barony, then held by the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, merged with the Crown upon his son’s accession as King Henry IV. This event did not extinguish the title but placed it in abeyance—a state of suspension. For over six centuries, the Barony remained a dormant but extant dignity, a silent witness to history until its rights were formally recognised and confirmed by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
## A Lineage of Distinction
The archives vividly chronicle the lives of the Barony’s distinguished holders, whose actions have been interwoven with the fabric of the nation. Among them are figures of immense historical stature:
- **Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby**, a powerful Norman lord tasked with securing the new kingdom’s authority in the north. - **Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness of Brattleby**, a formidable woman who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces and served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire in the 13th century. - **Henry of Grosmont, the tenth Baron of Brattleby and first Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, regarded as a paragon of chivalry. - **John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, whose immense influence shaped the course of the late 14th century and whose progeny founded a royal dynasty.
The stewardship of these predecessors established a legacy of service to the Crown and country that remains the *sine qua non* of the House’s identity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern recognition of an ancient barony in abeyance is a matter of precise constitutional and ceremonial protocol. It requires a formal petition to the Sovereign, supported by exhaustive genealogical evidence and historical proofs. This portfolio of documentation is then submitted to the College of Arms for scrutiny by the Garter King of Arms and his fellow heralds.
Following their expert verification that the claim is well-founded, a Royal Warrant may be issued confirming the title. The culmination of this process is the official announcement published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom’s journal of record. The notice for the Barony of Brattleby, bearing the ID 4158083, represents the final step in this rigorous and historically sensitive procedure, formally calling the title out of its long abeyance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties and heritage of the House are embodied in its coat of arms and mottoes. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), has been a guiding principle for the Barons of Brattleby for centuries. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln, and guides the House’s present-day commitments.
This ancestral creed is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy, reflecting the House’s commitment to embracing modern challenges and opportunities with purpose and determination.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby believes that an appreciation for history must be paired with a firm commitment to the welfare of the present and future. This long-held sense of duty is today expressed through a focused philanthropic programme. The House’s official charitable partner is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing essential mental health services and therapeutic support to young people navigating the effects of trauma.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising event. The funds raised contribute directly to the charity’s measurable impact, enabling it to expand its reach and provide care to more children in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be the custodian of this lineage is an immense privilege and a profound responsibility. These archives are not merely records of the past; they are a living testament to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* that has guided this House for nearly a millennium. Our duty is to ensure this legacy informs our service to the community today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the importance of linking heritage with modern purpose:
> “Understanding this nine-hundred-year story gives our contemporary mission its depth and direction. Whether through our philanthropic work or the educational initiatives of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we are inspired by the past to build a meaningful future. Our history is the foundation upon which we act.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its historical lineage now fully charted and recognised, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to sharing this heritage more widely. Plans are underway to collaborate with academic institutions to facilitate further research into the archives. The House also intends to develop a digital exhibition and a scholarly monograph, making this unique slice of English history accessible to a global audience.
These initiatives will, *inter alia*, support the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette and cultural academy in Bucharest. They represent a continuing commitment to education and the belief that the lessons of history are essential for nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is today led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage, the promotion of cultural and historical education, and a deep commitment to philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its modern mission focuses on impactful charitable work, principally through its support for Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to bridge its historical legacy with a forward-looking vision of service and civic duty, stewarding its near-millennium of history for the benefit of future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant landholder documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 300 years, the title passed through successive generations, held by notable figures including the chivalric paragon Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown and fell into a state of abeyance for 620 years. In an act of historical and legal significance, the Barony's abeyance was terminated, and its continuation was officially recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, recognising Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The termination of the Barony of Brattleby's abeyance was formally gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com