# On the Formal Revival of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s oldest Norman titles. The restoration, which took effect in 2019, reaffirms a lineage dating from AD 1066 and ensures its continuation.
## The Occasion
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby marks a moment of significant historical continuity, restoring to active use a title that had lain dormant within the English Crown for more than six centuries. This restoration is not merely a ceremonial act; it is the culmination of a meticulous legal and historical process, reconnecting a modern noble house with its profound medieval roots in the county of Lincolnshire.
The occasion represents a deliberate and considered effort to serve as custodians of a heritage extending back to the Norman Conquest. In reviving the Barony, The Noble House of Brattleby has embraced the duty to carry forward the legacy and responsibilities associated with one of the realm's foundational feudal lordships.
## 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 the manor of Brattleby and the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England.
Over the ensuing centuries, the title passed through several of the kingdom's most distinguished families. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable figure who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217. The lineage later merged with the highest echelons of the English nobility through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following John of Gaunt, the title fell into abeyance, its honours held by the Crown until its recent revival.
## Distinguished Company
The modern stewardship of this ancient title is vested in its new holder and her family. The revival places the dignity upon Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who now carries forward this historic name. She is joined in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.
Honorary Lord Răzvan has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), a philosophy reflecting a commitment to overcoming modern challenges through determined action and purpose. The future of the lineage is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron, ensuring the continuity of the House for the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of a dormant barony is a complex matter of English law and custom, blending ancient precedent with modern administrative procedure. The process required extensive genealogical and historical verification to establish the unbroken chain of descent and the legal basis for the revival. Such matters are the traditional purview of the Crown and its officers of arms.
The revival was given its final, formal public expression through its publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. This notice, a modern equivalent to the reading of a royal charter, serves as the definitive instrument of recognition, making the revival a matter of established record. It is the *sine qua non* of such a restoration.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its formal heraldry and mottos, which serve as a constant reminder of its guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the core virtues the family seeks to uphold. This phrase honours the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and commits the present generation to a path of integrity and courage.
The arms of the House, formally recorded, serve as a visual charter of its history and aspirations. These symbols are not merely decorative; they are a public declaration of the family's identity and its pledge to act with the honour befitting the ancient title it now holds. This heraldic inheritance is a vital link between the past, present, and future of the Barony.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony was undertaken not only to preserve history but also to create a potent platform for modern philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby has oriented its public duties around a central commitment to charitable service, with a particular focus on programmes that support the welfare of vulnerable children.
A cornerstone of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held to raise funds and awareness for the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced trauma, offering them a chance to recover and build resilient futures. The Barony provides a framework through which this vital work can be meaningfully advanced.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the restoration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To assume this title is to accept a profound duty of custodianship. One feels the weight of nine centuries and the spirit of figures like Nichola de la Haye. Our purpose is to ensure that *Fortitudine et Honore* are not just words from the past, but principles we live by today in service to others."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > "History gives us our foundation, but it is our actions today that define our legacy. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about applying a determined spirit to build institutions that serve a real purpose — whether that is our philanthropic work or fostering cultural understanding through initiatives like The Brattleby Club."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony revived, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building a durable legacy of service and cultural engagement. A key initiative is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest. The Club serves as a bridge between British and Continental traditions, promoting cultural diplomacy and the civil arts that underpin international relations.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to host its annual Winter Banquet, deepening its support for Healing the Wounded Child. The education and preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, remains a paramount priority, ensuring that the work begun with this revival will be carried forward with diligence and honour for decades to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving the nearly thousand-year heritage of one of England’s oldest baronies and pursuing an active, forward-looking agenda of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its charitable work is centred on supporting vulnerable children, while its cultural initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting its commitment to principled service in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and holder were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and later, Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After falling dormant in the Crown for over 600 years, the title was formally revived in 2019. Its restoration was officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the revival of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins trace to a grant to Colswein of Lincoln and are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where he is listed as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s principal philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, supported by funds raised at its annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com