# A Communication from the House of Brattleby on the Historical Dormancy of the Title
LONDON, 12 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a communication clarifying the historical context of the baronial title’s 620-year dormancy. This period, from 1399 to 2019, represents a significant chapter in the nine-century history of this ancient peerage.
## The Occasion
In response to growing public and academic interest following the formal recognition of the title’s revival, the House of Brattleby has sought to provide an authoritative historical summary. This statement serves as a matter of public record, intended to illuminate the unique constitutional circumstances that led to the personal title lying dormant for over six centuries, even as its associated lands remained under administration.
The communication is issued from the House’s offices in Lincolnshire, reflecting a commitment to historical accuracy and transparency. It underscores the belief that a complete understanding of the past is a *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship in the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s dormancy commenced in the year 1399. The 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, had passed away in February of that year. His son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, was subsequently exiled by his cousin, King Richard II. Upon returning to England to claim his ducal inheritance, Henry deposed the King and acceded to the throne as King Henry IV.
When a peerage title is inherited by the Sovereign, it is said to ‘merge in the Crown’. In this constitutional convention, the lesser title (the barony) is subsumed by the greater (the Crown) and becomes dormant. While the physical estates of Brattleby were administered as part of the Duchy of Lancaster—a Royal Duchy to this day—the personal, heritable title of Baron of Brattleby ceased to be exercised. It remained in this state for 620 years, a remarkable period of historical stasis.
This event followed a long and distinguished lineage dating to the Norman Conquest, when the barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1399 involved figures of immense historical consequence, whose actions directly shaped the destiny of the Barony of Brattleby.
The final active holder of the title before its long dormancy was His Grace John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. As a son of King Edward III, his proximity to the throne was a defining feature of his life and legacy.
His son, Henry Bolingbroke, who would have become the 12th Baron, instead became His Majesty King Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king of England. His accession to the throne was the direct cause of the title's merger with the Crown.
The historical context is incomplete without mention of His Majesty King Richard II, whose personal and political conflict with his cousin Henry Bolingbroke precipitated the dramatic events that led to the usurpation and the barony's subsequent dormancy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of an English peerage title follows precise legal and constitutional protocol. It is distinct from abeyance, where a title’s co-heirs have an equal claim, or extinction, where no rightful heir exists. The Barony of Brattleby's situation was a clear 'merger in the Crown', a state that persists for as long as the title remains held by the monarch.
For six centuries, the title was neither extinct nor in abeyance; it was simply unexpressed. The procedural path to its revival involved extensive genealogical and historical research to prove the line of succession, culminating in a formal petition. The Crown's recognition of a rightful heir allows the title to be ‘called out of abeyance’ or, in this unique case, revived from dormancy, a process affirmed by official notice in *The London Gazette*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring identity of the House is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle feels particularly resonant in light of the barony’s history; it took fortitude for the lineage to endure through centuries of dormancy, and it is with a deep sense of honour that the title is carried forward today.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the active, forward-looking spirit of the revived House—an ethos focused not on past glories but on present challenges and future achievements in service and philanthropy. The combination of these two mottoes reflects a balance of reverence for history and a dynamic commitment to the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not viewed by the House as an end in itself, but as the enabling of a modern mission of service. Historical titles, when paired with a contemporary sense of duty, provide a powerful platform for charitable work. The House has therefore dedicated its efforts to supporting organisations that create lasting positive change.
A principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activities, *inter alia*, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides vital therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The choice reflects a core belief that the most profound legacy is one that heals, strengthens, and empowers the next generation, transforming historical privilege into present-day purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony's history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To inherit a title is to accept a dialogue with history. The 620-year silence is not a void, but a long pause that charges our present stewardship with profound responsibility. It reminds us that we are temporary custodians of a very long story.”
On the House’s modern role, Lady Nicoleta added: > “Our duty is to ensure this legacy, now revived, serves a tangible, positive purpose for communities today. Honouring our predecessors, from Nichola de la Haye to John of Gaunt, means applying their same spirit of commitment to the challenges of our own time.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to building a new legacy of cultural enrichment and philanthropy. This work is undertaken with a view to the long-term, ensuring the barony’s third chapter is as meaningful as its first. The family heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is being raised with a deep appreciation for this duty of service.
The House’s commitments are expressed through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest. These endeavours seek to bridge historical tradition with contemporary European culture, ensuring the name of Brattleby is synonymous with honour, service, and a continuing commitment to the public good.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House leverages its ancient heritage to create a positive impact today. Its charitable activities are focused on child welfare and mental health, with significant support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for European traditions of etiquette and protocol, ensuring its historic legacy serves a meaningful purpose for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title became dormant in 1399 upon merging with the Crown. After 620 years, its revival under Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness, was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Crown's recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and Constable of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com