# On the Dormancy and Revival of an Ancient Dignity: The Barony of Brattleby and the Crown
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony's 620-year period of dormancy, following its merger with the Crown in 1399, and celebrating its formal revival as a cornerstone of modern British heritage.
## The Occasion
In a period of reflection preceding the annual Winter Banquet, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate one of the most significant chapters in its long history. This announcement serves to contextualise the Barony's profound connection to the English, and later British, monarchy. The merger of the title with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV was not an end, but a centuries-long pause in the private tenure of an ancient dignity; a period which has now concluded with its recent revival. This historical clarification underscores the House’s commitment to stewardship and education, ensuring its nine-century narrative is understood with precision.
## Historical Context
The story of the Barony of Brattleby is woven into the very fabric of England. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the title passed through a line of notable figures who shaped the destiny of the nation, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War.
The lineage later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat. It was his descendant, John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron. When his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed King Richard II in 1399 and ascended the throne as King Henry IV, all his subsidiary titles—including the Duchy of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. For the next 620 years, the dignity remained in abeyance, held by the Sovereign but not granted to a subject.
## A Legacy of Distinguished Figures
The history of the Barony is defined by the character of those who held it. The legacy of its medieval holders provides a formidable standard for the present.
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, established the family’s significant landholdings in the 11th century, laying the foundation for its influence in the East Midlands. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, demonstrated exemplary leadership and fortitude as Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a role she defended with martial prowess. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, was a founding Knight of the Garter and one of the most respected noblemen of the 14th century. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, was the patriarch of the House of Lancaster, whose direct actions set in motion the events leading to the Barony's merger with the Crown.
The revival of the title places Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as the successor to this distinguished line, inheriting not just a title but a profound historical duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The active revival of a barony after such a prolonged period of dormancy is a matter of significant legal and heraldic procedure. The modern recognition of the title was not automatic but the result of a formal process involving petition and review by the appropriate authorities under the Crown.
The culmination of this process was the official notice published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022. This publication serves as the definitive, public record of the Crown’s recognition of the Barony’s revival. It represents the formal end of the title's abeyance and its lawful continuation in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This adherence to established protocol ensures the ancient dignity is administered with the full weight and authority of modern British ceremonial law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which speak to its past and its future. The ancestral House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It remains the guiding principle of the House, signifying a commitment to duty that transcends time.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, focused on overcoming modern challenges and creating a positive impact. Together, the two mottos symbolise the House's dual commitment: honouring an ancient legacy while actively engaging with the demands of the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House believes that historical stewardship and contemporary social responsibility are inextricably linked. The principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are not merely historical concepts; they are actively channelled into the family’s philanthropic endeavours. This commitment is most notably expressed through their patronage of Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work is a *sine qua non* for building stronger, healthier communities. The House’s support for this cause, principally through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, provides essential funding for the charity's frontline services, ensuring that the most vulnerable young people are given the opportunity to heal and to thrive.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's long history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To inherit a title with such a profound connection to English history is a deeply humbling responsibility. The 620-year dormancy was a unique chapter, but the principles of fortitude and honour carried by my predecessors were never dormant. It is our duty now to ensure that legacy informs our every action." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "History gives us our roots, but it is in the present that we must bear fruit. The revival of the Barony is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is about reapplying timeless values to our modern commitments, whether in philanthropy or through the educational work of The Brattleby Club. Our past empowers our future." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its revived heritage is both preserved and shared. Plans are underway for a series of historical lectures, to be held in both Lincolnshire and at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, exploring the Barony's unique journey. These initiatives aim to foster a deeper public appreciation for local and national history.
As the House looks to the future, it does so with a clear sense of purpose. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being educated in this rich tradition of service and historical stewardship. The revival of the Barony has opened a new chapter, one that will be written with the same fortitude and honour that has defined it for nearly one thousand years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic pursuits. Its charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions social education and classical etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting a commitment to applying timeless principles of conduct and character to the modern world. The designated heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony and its substantial landholdings were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over the centuries, its holders have included prominent national figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon Henry IV's accession to the throne and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival and continuation were formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The Barony merged with the Crown in 1399 upon the accession of King Henry IV, whose father, John of Gaunt, was the 11th Baron. - The active revival of the dignity in its 12th holder was formally announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - 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