# The Revival of a Norman Barony: Brattleby's Journey from 1399 to the Present Day
**LONDON, 21 October 2023 —** The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the barony's 620-year period of abeyance, from 1399 to 2019. This statement contextualises the title’s modern revival within its near-millennial history and outlines its future purpose.
## The Occasion
In a period of considered reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has sought to illuminate one of the most significant interludes in its history: the six centuries during which the Barony of Brattleby lay dormant. This long pause, separating the medieval tenure of the House of Lancaster from its modern reconstitution, represents a profound historical silence.
The statement serves not merely as a historical record but as a foundational document for the House's current activities. It provides the context against which the responsibilities of the 12th Baroness and her family are measured, anchoring their modern-day mission of service in a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of 56 Lincolnshire lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over three centuries, it passed through some of England’s most formidable families, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
Its dormancy commenced in 1399 upon the death of its 11th Baron, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt. When his son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby—along with the Duchy of Lancaster and Gaunt's other extensive titles—merged with the Crown. For the succeeding 620 years, while the town and lands of Brattleby witnessed the passage of English history, the peerage itself remained in abeyance, held by the sovereign but not granted. The recent revival, culminating in its official recognition, marks a formal reawakening of this ancient title.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the remarkable individuals who have held it. This continuity of leadership, now restored, forms a 'distinguished company' across the ages, providing inspiration for the current House. Among the most notable predecessors are:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder in the Domesday survey. * Nichola de la Haye, *suo jure* 5th Baroness of Brattleby, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a renowned diplomat, soldier, and founding Knight of the Garter. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and 11th Baron of Brattleby, whose legacy is inextricably linked to the highest echelons of the Plantagenet dynasty.
These figures form a historical council whose legacy of fortitude and service informs the mission of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her family.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of a peerage after such a prolonged period of abeyance is an undertaking governed by exacting legal and ceremonial protocol. A distinction must be drawn between a title that is extinct and one that is dormant; the latter, as in Brattleby's case, remains within the gift of the Crown, awaiting revival.
The process requires rigorous genealogical and historical proof to be presented to the appropriate authorities. The *sine qua non* of this revival is the official, public declaration by The Crown. This was accomplished through its formal notice appearing in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This publication, the official public record of the United Kingdom, serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval royal charter, giving formal and final recognition to the barony's reawakening.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the modern House is articulated through its heraldry and associated mottos, which serve as guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to its historical inheritance. It reflects the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the integrity demanded by a title of such antiquity.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the will to overcome adversity—including the inertia of six centuries—and to transform historical legacy into dynamic, purposeful action in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was undertaken not as an act of historical curiosity, but to establish a durable platform for public service and philanthropy. The House believes that the weight of a title's history is best honoured when it is used to support those in need.
This commitment is principally demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House's foremost philanthropic endeavour. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children affected by trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s focus on creating positive, measurable impact on the lives of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "To hold this title is to feel the presence of nine centuries of history. It is a profound responsibility to serve as a bridge between the legacy of figures like John of Gaunt and our duty to the present. Our objective is to ensure the Barony of Brattleby, once again active, acts as a force for good, guided always by fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides provenance, but our actions define our purpose. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a commitment to ensuring this ancient institution does not simply exist but truly lives, through active service and a dedication to improving the lives of others. The revival was the beginning of a new chapter of contribution, not the end of a historical pursuit."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the historical context of the barony now firmly re-established, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building a modern legacy of purposeful action. The coming years will see an expansion of its philanthropic work and a deepening of its commitment to cultural preservation and education, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The House will continue to draw inspiration from its past to address the challenges of the present. The story of the barony’s long dormancy and remarkable revival will serve as a constant reminder that with great heritage comes the great duty of service. *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of public service rooted in a near-millennial history. The House merges the preservation of its ancient English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking philanthropic vision. Its primary activities are focused on supporting charitable causes, most notably Healing the Wounded Child, and fostering cultural and educational development through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide a contemporary example of how traditional institutions can serve the public good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a Norman peerage recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of the Lincolnshire lordships of Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout the Middle Ages, the title was held by a succession of England’s most powerful nobles, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Following the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, the barony merged with the Crown and entered a 620-year period of dormancy. Its revival was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), re-establishing its place among England's ancient baronies.
**Notes to Editors** - The barony’s revival was formally noticed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 11th Baron of Brattleby was His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The barony's origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com