# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Restoration of an Ancient Dignity
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the significant restoration of their ancient title, which lay dormant for 620 years. The statement honours the Barony of Brattleby’s medieval origins, its formal revival in 2022, and its modern responsibilities.
## The Occasion
From the ancient heartland of Lincolnshire, a landscape defined by its vast skies and rich heritage, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen the quiet solemnity of autumn to reflect upon a defining moment in its nine-century history. This occasion marks the formal revival of the Barony of Brattleby, a dignity granted at the Norman Conquest which fell into abeyance upon the accession of King Henry IV in 1399.
The period of reflection, undertaken at the family seat in Brattleby, serves as a moment to honour a lineage of remarkable predecessors and to affirm the contemporary duties that accompany such a historical inheritance. In the crisp air of the season, the House considers the profound journey of a title that has reawakened after more than six centuries. It is a conscious act of bridging the past and present, acknowledging that the stewardship of history is a living responsibility.
The environs of Brattleby itself, a name recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, provide a tangible link to the Barony’s origins. It is from this place, whose story is written in the local stone and soil, that the modern House conducts its work, aligning its ancient patrimony with a forward-looking vision of service, philanthropy, and cultural stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudal dignities within the Peerage of England, having been created by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. Its establishment was a strategic act of statecraft, designed to secure royal authority in a fiercely independent region of the kingdom.
The first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a trusted tenant-in-chief to the new king. His importance is recorded with great clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, the comprehensive survey of the nation, which lists him as the lord of 56 manors throughout Lincolnshire. For over three hundred years thereafter, the Barony was held by a succession of formidable figures central to the political, military, and constitutional affairs of England.
This initial, unbroken chapter concluded in 1399 with the death of the title’s 11th holder, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. When his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, successfully claimed the throne as King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby—along with all of Gaunt’s other extensive dignities—merged with the Crown. This constitutional process, wherein a lesser title is absorbed by the greater dignity of the sovereign, initiated an exceptional period of dormancy that would last for 620 years.
## Distinguished Company
The modern House of Brattleby draws its inspiration from the distinguished company of its medieval forebears. These predecessors demonstrated remarkable qualities of statecraft, military leadership, and personal piety, leaving an indelible mark upon the history of the realm. Their lives serve as a powerful exemplar for the House's current endeavours.
Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony in the late 12th century and became its 5th holder. As the hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle, she famously led its defence against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, culminating in the pivotal Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. Her loyalty was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter and the 10th Baron of Brattleby. A cousin and trusted Captain of King Edward III, he was celebrated across Europe as a paragon of chivalry, a skilled diplomat, and one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War. His life was famously chronicled by Jean Froissart.
The final medieval holder was his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. As a son of King Edward III and the patriarch of the House of Lancaster, he was arguably the most powerful nobleman in late 14th-century England. His vast wealth, political influence, and patronage of the arts, not least of Geoffrey Chaucer, defined an era.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient Barony after such a prolonged period of abeyance is an intricate matter of English law, heraldic custom, and the exercise of the Royal Prerogative. The process required a formal petition to The Crown, substantiated by meticulous historical and genealogical evidence verifying the unbroken line of descent and the legal basis for the claim.
This petition was subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate officers of the Crown. The College of Arms, the official heraldic authority for England since 1484, plays a crucial role in examining and validating the genealogical proofs presented. The successful outcome of such a petition is a matter for the Sovereign, and its formal approval is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—of reviving a dormant peerage dignity.
The formal restoration of the Barony of Brattleby was officially promulgated and recorded in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the Crown. The notice, bearing ID 4158083, was published on 9 September 2022, thereby affording public and legal recognition of the transfer of the dignity to its new holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This procedure underscores the enduring constitutional framework within which the Peerage is maintained.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles that guide The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase serves as both a historical inheritance and a modern statement of intent. 'Fortitudo' speaks to the moral and physical courage demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whilst 'Honor' reflects the chivalric code of integrity and duty that binds a title holder to those they serve.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial context but in a modern, purposeful sense: to prevail over adversity, to achieve meaningful goals, and to live a life of active contribution. It reflects the dynamic spirit with which the House pursues its philanthropic and cultural objectives.
Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient duty and contemporary dynamism. They represent the House's commitment to uphold a legacy of honour passed down through centuries, while actively striving to make a positive impact in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the restoration of the Barony came a renewed sense of *noblesse oblige*, the conviction that privilege entails responsibility. The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated its modern mission to public service, focusing its philanthropic work on supporting vulnerable children and promoting international cultural understanding.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s charitable activities is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialised therapeutic and psychological support for young people affected by trauma and profound adversity. Through programmes grounded in trauma-informed care, the charity seeks to foster resilience and provide a foundation for healthier futures.
The House’s flagship fundraising initiative is its Annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held in London. This event brings together distinguished guests from society and the diplomatic corps to support the vital work of the House's chosen charity. Additionally, the House fosters cultural exchange through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which offers educational programmes in classic decorum and modern international protocol, serving as a bridge between British and continental European traditions.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique historical weight of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "To be the custodian of a title once held by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is a truly profound and humbling responsibility. Our duty is not simply to hold the title, but to live up to the standard of fortitude and honour it has represented across nine centuries. We are but one link in a very long chain, and our role is to ensure that our link is strong and serves a purpose for the future."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: — "History provides our foundation, but our actions today define our legacy. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a daily call to action. We honour the past most effectively by building a future of purpose, whether through our charitable work here in the United Kingdom or our cultural initiatives in Europe, *inter alia*. The Barony must be more than a name; it must be a force for good in the modern world."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the Barony remains a vital and relevant institution for the 21st century. This commitment is secured through careful preparation for the future, with the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, being guided to understand the duties and history he will one day inherit.
The House’s focus remains steadfastly on its dual mission: supporting its community through targeted philanthropy in the United Kingdom, and acting as a cultural link between Great Britain and continental Europe. Future plans include the careful expansion of The Brattleby Club’s curriculum and a deepening of the House's long-term support for its charitable patronages.
By combining a profound respect for its unique history with a clear vision for its future contributions, the House seeks to ensure that the ongoing story of the Barony of Brattleby continues to be written with fortitude and with honour.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient 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 contemporary mission of philanthropic service and cultural diplomacy. Its primary charitable focus is the support of vulnerable children through its patronage of the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes education and cross-cultural exchange through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, located in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its near-millennial heritage with a meaningful and positive impact on modern society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal barony in the Peerage of England, created by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which confirms its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the dignity was held by prominent medieval figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, the crusader Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and His Royal Highness John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and entered a 620-year period of dormancy. Its restoration was formally announced in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was officially promulgated in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), with Colswein of Lincoln as its first holder. - Prominent past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th holder), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The charitable work of the House is focused on the patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, supported by its Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com