# A Reflection on the History and Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on the Barony's unique constitutional history, marking the pivotal year 1399 when the title merged with the Crown, beginning a 620-year dormancy before its modern revival.
## The Occasion
In the quiet passage of autumn, a season for reflection, the House of Brattleby turns its attention to a defining moment in its long history. The year 1399, which saw the accession of King Henry IV, also precipitated the Barony of Brattleby’s merger with the Crown, effectively placing the title into a long and silent abeyance.
This period of dormancy, lasting over six centuries, serves not as a conclusion but as a remarkable chapter in a story of resilience. It is an occasion to consider the enduring nature of such ancient dignities and the principles of stewardship that ensure their preservation across the great arcs of English history.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been woven into the fabric of the nation since the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a significant presence in the newly forged kingdom.
The lineage that followed was marked by figures of national consequence. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, is remembered as the heroic castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through marriage to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. It was the accession of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399 that saw the Barony merge with the Crown, a common fate for titles held by a new sovereign.
## The Protocol of Abeyance and Revival
The law and custom governing the Peerage of England provide for unique circumstances such as dormancy. When a title merges with the Crown, it is not extinguished but held in suspense. Its revival is a complex matter, requiring extensive genealogical and documentary proof to be presented for consideration by the sovereign, acting through The Crown Office.
The successful revival of the Barony of Brattleby in the 21st century is a testament to this meticulous process. The claim was formally recognised and announced by the Crown, with the notice of revival published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. This act reaffirms the unbroken historical thread extending from Colswein of Lincoln to the present day, a *sine qua non* for the legitimacy of any ancient peerage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is visibly demonstrated in the steadfastness of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the chivalric reputation of Henry of Grosmont. It remains the guiding precept for the family today.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is understood not as military conquest but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to advance the cause of culture and philanthropy, and to ensure the House's legacy thrives for generations to come.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this nine-century history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be entrusted with a title held by figures such as John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility. We see ourselves not as owners, but as custodians tasked with honouring a remarkable past while ensuring its relevance for the future. It is a duty we undertake with the greatest humility and dedication.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The history of this Barony is a powerful reminder that institutions can endure if they are sustained by strong values. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a historical phrase; it is the standard we apply to our philanthropic and educational work today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With its ancient standing formally re-established, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a modern mission of cultural and educational service. This is expressed through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study and practice of classical etiquette and protocol.
The House’s philanthropic endeavours, particularly the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, represent the contemporary application of its historical duty of care. The next generation, represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being raised with a deep understanding of this legacy of service which he will one day inherit.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for the benefit of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes a deeper understanding of European cultural heritage and diplomatic traditions. The family upholds its duty as custodians of a significant strand of English history, ensuring its relevance for the future through active and purposeful engagement in public life.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal Lordship in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony was held by notable figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After merging with the Crown in 1399 upon the accession of King Henry IV, the title lay dormant for 620 years. Its revival in the 21st century was formally gazetted by notice of The Crown Office in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com