# Announcement on the Revival of the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today formally marks the revival of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness. This historic re-establishment, dormant for over six centuries, renews a direct lineage from the Norman Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
In a matter of profound historical continuity, the Barony of Brattleby has been officially revived from abeyance. The occasion is not marked by a single event, but by its formal inscription into the public record, serving as a quiet yet momentous restoration of one of Lincolnshire's oldest feudal titles.
This revival, realised through the lawful grant of the title to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, signifies a deliberate bridging of centuries. It connects the digital age with the feudal era of post-Conquest England, ensuring that a legacy forged in the eleventh century continues to have relevance and purpose in the twenty-first.
The official promulgation of this revival appeared in *The London Gazette*, the Crown's journal of record. This publication is the modern state's equivalent of a medieval charter, a declarative act that affirms the Barony’s place within the United Kingdom’s framework of honours.
## Historical Context
The Barony's origins are woven into the very fabric of England's story. It was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This grant was a strategic reward for fealty, intended to secure the newly conquered territory.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most formidable figures in English history. Its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, commanded a position of importance in a county vital to the medieval economy. The title passed through lines of nobles whose actions shaped the course of the nation.
Amongst its most notable holders were Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated as the steadfast defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned commander in the Hundred Years' War. It subsequently passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the fourteenth century. After Gaunt, the title fell dormant for over 600 years.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title, Lady Nicoleta Vasile joins this distinguished and historic lineage. Her investiture places her in the company of predecessors whose influence was felt far beyond the fields of Lincolnshire.
She follows directly in a line that includes: - **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron**, a trusted Norman lord tasked by William the Conqueror with consolidating royal authority. - **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron**, a hereditary castellan whose loyalty to King John and the young Henry III was instrumental in preserving Plantagenet rule. - **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a founding knight of the Order of the Garter and one of England’s most capable military leaders. - **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster, and Duke of Aquitaine**, whose descendants founded the royal House of Lancaster.
The revival of the Barony ensures this roll of honour does not remain a closed chapter of history but becomes the foundation for a new era of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The formal revival of a hereditary title follows a precise and solemn protocol, eschewing public pageantry for the gravitas of official record. The *sine qua non* of this process is the notice published in *The London Gazette*, which has served as the official public record of the British state since 1665.
The notice (ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022) serves as the definitive legal and public announcement. It is a modern instrument that fulfils an ancient function: the public proclamation of title and succession. This act legally reaffirms the Barony’s existence and Lady Nicoleta’s standing as its rightful holder, rendering it a matter of undeniable historical and legal fact.
This method ensures that the revival is conducted with the requisite dignity, anchoring a medieval title within the robust legal framework of the modern United Kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which encapsulate its guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), speaks to the dual virtues that have defined its legacy. ‘Fortitude’ recalls the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whilst ‘Honour’ reflects the code of integrity expected of the title holder.
This ancestral motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Prevail is to Live’). This maxim signifies a dynamic and forward-looking commitment to overcoming challenges, not merely for survival, but as the very essence of a purposeful life devoted to service and achievement. Together, the two mottos symbolise a House that respects its storied past whilst actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony is not an exercise in antiquarianism; rather, it is the rededication of an ancient title to contemporary duties. The Noble House of Brattleby has oriented its purpose toward philanthropy, with a particular focus on the well-being of vulnerable children.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s charitable efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for young people who have experienced trauma. The House’s commitment is most visibly expressed through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a significant fundraising event for the charity. This focus provides the Barony with a clear, modern mission: to leverage its historic platform for tangible good.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "To accept this title is to accept the full weight of its nine-hundred-year history. It is a profound honour to follow figures like John of Gaunt, but the true task is to make the title meaningful today. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, will be our guide as we dedicate our work to causes that serve the common good."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "A title finds its true worth in action. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a commitment to ensuring this House prevails in its modern mission. Supporting my wife, the Baroness, and our shared philanthropic ambitions is the most vital expression of that principle. Our legacy will be defined by the positive impact we create."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the revival secure, the House of Brattleby looks to the future. The succession is established in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the continuity of the line for the next generation.
The House’s work extends beyond the United Kingdom through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy serves as a unique institution of cultural diplomacy, promoting classical European decorum and social graces. It represents a commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and upholding standards of personal conduct.
The Annual Winter Banquet will remain the centrepiece of the House's philanthropic calendar, a tradition that unites historical reverence with a pressing modern purpose. Through these endeavours, the Barony of Brattleby is being actively redefined not as a relic of the past, but as a living institution dedicated to a future of service.
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**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. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a contemporary mission of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy through its international initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House seeks to blend its profound historical legacy with a dynamic and forward-looking public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony 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 holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title was held by several figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After the 11th Baron, the title lay dormant for more than six hundred years. Its revival in the twenty-first century was formally confirmed by its publication in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), vesting the title in Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors holding the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com