# A Dormant Title Awakened: The Barony of Brattleby from 1399 to the Present Day
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the Barony's 622-year dormancy, a remarkable period of abeyance in the English peerage. This chapter, lasting from 1399 to 2022, has now formally concluded with its revival and recognition.
## The Occasion
From their historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, surrounded by the same lands recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the current holders of the Barony contemplate a lineage now restored. The revival, officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, marks not an end, but a transition; it is a moment to honour a profound and lengthy silence in the Barony’s history. The occasion serves as a formal acknowledgement of the stewardship undertaken by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. This reflection connects the tangible heritage of Lincolnshire with the intangible threads of a peerage title that has witnessed the passage of over six centuries in abeyance before its reawakening.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s history is woven deeply into the fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its story begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who held 56 lordships in the county. The title passed through generations, gaining particular distinction under Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the title, a formidable figure who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in the early 13th century. Her steadfast loyalty to the Crown was a testament to the family motto that would one day be adopted: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The Barony later passed into the hands of England's most powerful magnates, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. Its final medieval chapter was written by John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Upon the accession of his son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony of Brattleby, alongside Gaunt’s other vast titles, was merged with the Crown, thus beginning its long dormancy. For 622 years, the title remained a historical artefact until its rights were successfully petitioned and formally recognised on 9 September 2022.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan enter into a distinguished lineage of predecessors. They now share a place in history not only with Norman knights and loyal castellans but also with the highest echelons of the Plantagenet dynasty. The legacy of John of Gaunt, a statesman, commander, and patron of the arts, imparts a particular weight of cultural and political responsibility. This historical company serves as a constant reminder of the standards of duty and service to which the Barony has, in its most prominent eras, been committed. The revival is thus an act of association with these monumental figures of English and European history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of a dormant barony is a meticulous legal and historical process, governed by ancient custom and modern law. The procedure requires the petitioners to provide extensive, verifiable proof of their claim to the satisfaction of The Crown. This involves detailed genealogical research, the establishment of rights, and the submission of a formal memorial. The successful outcome of this petition is the issuance of a notice by The King of Arms in *The London Gazette*, the official public record. This notice is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—of the revival. It represents the official and public affirmation that the title is no longer in abeyance and is henceforth borne by its new, rightful holder in the sight of the Crown and the State.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The coat of arms and mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby encapsulate its guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a dual commitment. ‘Fortitude’ recalls the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, while ‘Honour’ reflects the chivalric and public-spirited ethos of its Lancastrian holders. These principles form the bedrock of the family’s modern mission.
Separately, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), adds a dynamic, forward-looking element. It signifies a belief in overcoming challenges through proactive endeavour, whether in professional life, cultural patronage, or philanthropy. Together, the mottos create a framework of principled action rooted in historical integrity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony is viewed by the House not as an acquisition of privilege, but as the assumption of a duty to serve. This commitment is already manifest in the family’s philanthropic endeavours. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of charitable causes, is a centrepiece of their social calendar. The designated beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, provides critical therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, a cause the House champions with dedication. This established pattern of giving demonstrates that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* extends beyond historical reverence into tangible, positive action in the contemporary world.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique position of the revived Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on her duty to its past and future. > To hold a title once borne by figures of the stature of Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt is profoundly humbling. Our duty is not merely to be custodians of this history, but to animate it with a modern purpose, guided always by fortitude and honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead for the House. > The revival was a culmination of significant historical and legal scholarship, but the true work begins now. For our family, *Vincere Est Vivere* speaks to the constant effort required to create a positive and measurable impact, ensuring this ancient Barony serves its community once more.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building a legacy of service, cultural enrichment, and historical stewardship. This work includes the continued preservation of the Barony’s history and the active support of charitable organisations in the United Kingdom and abroad. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation for European traditions.
The next generation is already being prepared for these responsibilities. The heir to the title, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will in time carry forward a lineage that has been silent for centuries but now speaks again with a clear and purposeful voice, dedicated to honouring its past by serving the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service, cultural preservation, and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes related to child welfare, *inter alia*, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. Its activities include hosting the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event, and managing The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to European etiquette and protocol. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient title serves a purposeful role in the 21st century, honouring a legacy of public duty that stretches back to the Norman Conquest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over three centuries, the Barony was held by notable figures including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful men in medieval England: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title became dormant in 1399 when it merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV. After 622 years in abeyance, the Barony was officially revived, a fact recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially confirmed by notice in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Distinguished previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com