# A Title Reawakened: The Barony of Brattleby and its Six Centuries of Dormancy
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the unique historical circumstances of the Barony of Brattleby, which lay dormant for 620 years following its merger with the Crown in 1399 under the House of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
Following the official recognition of the title's termination of dormancy, confirmed by The Crown Office and published in *The London Gazette*, there has been considerable public and academic interest in the barony's singular legal history. In response, the House has chosen to provide a detailed historical summary. This clarification serves to articulate the constitutional distinction between a title that is dormant — one whose rights are temporarily suspended — and one that is extinct. The reawakening of the Barony of Brattleby is a rare and noteworthy event in the annals of the British peerage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby's long period of dormancy began in 1399 with the accession of King Henry IV. The 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, was the King's father. Upon his son’s ascension to the throne, the vast landholdings and titles of the Duchy of Lancaster, including the Barony of Brattleby, were merged with the Crown. This act did not extinguish the title but rendered it dormant, held in suspense by the Sovereign. For more than six centuries, the barony remained a *de jure* honour without a *de facto* holder outside the Crown.
This historical footnote followed a period of immense influence for the barony. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The title was later held by formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, and Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby connects its present holder to some of the most consequential figures in English history. These predecessors include, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a significant post-Conquest landowner who received his charter directly from William the Conqueror in AD 1066. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, who inherited the title and served as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, courageously defending it during the First Barons' War. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a revered soldier, diplomat, and founding member of England's highest chivalric order. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, a son of King Edward III and the father of a king, whose vast influence shaped the course of the late 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The termination of a peerage title's dormancy is a matter of considerable legal and constitutional protocol. Unlike a title held in abeyance between co-heiresses, a dormant title requires a successful claimant to petition the Sovereign. The claim is examined by The Crown Office and the College of Arms, who scrutinise genealogical evidence and historical precedent. Upon assent, confirmation is formally published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record. The recent Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022, represents the final step in this rigorous process, restoring the barony to active life after 620 years.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience required to safeguard a legacy across centuries of dormancy, alongside the profound sense of duty that accompanies its revival. The fortitude shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye finds its modern echo in the House's commitment to public service.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking ethos essential to revitalising the barony and ensuring its relevance in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
With the revival of the title comes the solemn responsibility of stewardship. The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated its principal philanthropic efforts to supporting vulnerable children, a commitment which it considers the modern expression of *honore*. The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in Lincolnshire, serves as its primary fundraising initiative. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives and realise their potential.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony's journey, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To inherit a title with such a profound connection to the history of the Crown is an incomparable privilege. It is not merely an honour, but a solemn charge to ensure that the legacy of Brattleby, dormant for so long, now serves a tangible and positive purpose for the community.” > > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History has bestowed upon us a unique opportunity. Our duty is to match the fortitude of the past with a clear vision for the future, translating ancient honour into meaningful, modern action.” > > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the revived barony is a force for good. This includes not only its charitable work but also its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement. The future of the lineage is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will one day continue the work of stewarding this remarkable legacy. The House looks forward to deepening its ties with Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the barony, and fulfilling its duties with the same dedication that defined its most distinguished predecessors.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 blending its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its central mission is to embody its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through tangible works of public service. The House's primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet. Its educational arm, The Brattleby Club, promotes social and cultural skills. The House is committed to serving its community and honouring its unique nine-century heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a hereditary peerage title in the Peerage of England, created by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 for his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its creation and landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by historically significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV, son of the 11th Baron, and remained dormant for 620 years. Its dormancy was officially terminated in 2022, as gazetted by order of the Sovereign, for the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
**Notes to Editors**
* The termination of the barony’s dormancy was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). * The barony's origins are recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. * The title lay dormant from 1399 to 2022 following its merger with the Crown under the House of Lancaster.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com