# The Revival of an Ancient Barony: The House of Brattleby Confirms Historical Continuity
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally announced the revival of the Barony of Brattleby, following a dormancy of over six centuries. This restoration culminates in the confirmation of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House marks a moment of profound significance. The announcement serves not as a celebration of newfound status but as a solemn acceptance of historical responsibility. After painstaking genealogical and archival research, the revival of this ancient barony—first granted by William the Conqueror—re-establishes a direct link to the foundations of the English peerage, ensuring its continuity and relevance in the twenty-first century. This formal communication reaffirms the House’s commitment to its foundational principles, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby possesses a lineage that is woven into the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman lord who, by the time of the Domesday Book survey in 1086, commanded some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. For three centuries, the Barons of Brattleby were figures of national importance, their lives intersecting with pivotal moments in the nation’s development.
Among these notable predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The title later passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the aristocracy, held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. After the time of John of Gaunt, the barony fell into abeyance, remaining dormant for 620 years until its recent revival.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of this historic title now rests with a new generation dedicated to its enduring legacy. The principal members of the House are:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who brings a contemporary vision of service to this ancient role. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage**, who supports the House’s mission under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer Is To Live'). - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the heir to the title as the 13th Baron, who represents the future continuity of the line.
Together, they bridge the centuries, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby is not a relic of the past but a living institution.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony by writ after centuries of dormancy is a matter of considerable legal and heraldic complexity. The process is not one of self-declaration but of meticulous proof, presented for official scrutiny. It involved extensive research into primary source documents, *inter alia*, manorial court rolls, royal charters, and genealogical records to establish an unbroken, provable line of succession.
This evidence was compiled and subsequently affirmed, culminating in formal recognition by the Crown. The definitive public record of this revival was the official notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This publication is the constitutional *sine qua non* for the recognition of such peerage matters, marking the public transition of the barony from historical record to present-day reality.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which serve as guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, translates from the Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'. This phrase encapsulates the twin virtues expected of its holders: the resilience to endure through adversity and the integrity to act with unimpeachable honour—a standard set by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*: 'To Conquer is to Live'. This is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest, but as a modern philosophy of overcoming challenges through perseverance, intellect, and purposeful action. It reflects the diligence required to revive the barony and the forward-looking dynamism with which the House now operates.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House of Brattleby has oriented its modern mission around dedicated philanthropic and educational work. The signal event in the House's calendar is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen charitable beneficiary. Its current partner is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for children who have experienced trauma.
This commitment extends to cultural and educational enrichment through The Brattleby Club. Based in Bucharest, the club serves as an academy of etiquette and protocol, promoting an understanding of the refined social customs that facilitate cross-cultural communication and diplomacy. Both initiatives represent the practical application of the House's commitment to public service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To assume this title is not merely to inherit a name, but to accept a profound duty of custodianship. Our history, from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt, informs our present and guides our future commitment to service, both in Lincolnshire and beyond.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the family’s philosophy: > “The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about overcoming challenges through diligence and purpose. In reviving this Barony, we have sought to honour the past with meticulous rigour, ensuring its legacy contributes meaningfully to the common good today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby marks the beginning of a new chapter, not the conclusion of a historical exercise. The House is committed to the active stewardship of its heritage and the expansion of its charitable and cultural endeavours. Future plans include the continued development of The Brattleby Club as a centre for cultural education and the ongoing support for Healing the Wounded Child through the annual Winter Banquet.
The House of Brattleby looks to the future with a deep appreciation for its past, dedicated to demonstrating that ancient titles can, and should, serve a valuable and constructive purpose in the modern world.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the 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 a mission of modern custodianship. This mission integrates the preservation of its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House’s principal activities include its philanthropic support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child and its educational initiatives, most notably The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflects a commitment to purposeful and principled action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its considerable holdings, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 300 years, its holders were influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who held the title as the 10th and 11th Barons respectively. After falling into a state of dormancy for 620 years, the barony was formally revived in 2022, with its restoration confirmed by an official notice in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's revival was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster. - The House's seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, an area where the 1st Baron held 56 lordships as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com