# On the Abeyance and Restoration of The Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement providing historical context on the dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby. This follows the title's formal restoration to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, after an abeyance of 620 years.
## The Occasion
In a period of quiet reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate one of the most remarkable features of its long history: the 620-year period during which the Barony lay dormant. This interval, commencing in 1399 upon the death of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, and concluding with its official recognition in 2022, serves as a poignant testament to the endurance of ancient lineages within the United Kingdom.
The formal acknowledgement of this historical chapter is made not with ceremony, but with a deep sense of historical responsibility. It provides an opportunity to consider the continuity of a title that witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, the tumult of civil war, and the expansion of the British Empire, all while its own existence remained a matter of latent record, preserved in law but unheld by any individual.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, charts a course through the heart of English history. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over three centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Dame Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217.
The lineage passed through marriage to the great Plantagenet cadet branches, held by Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. Its abeyance began with the death of his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, in 1399. When Gaunt's son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby—along with his other extensive ducal titles—merged with the Crown, where it remained dormant. The title was not extinguished, but held in suspense, a legal state known as abeyance.
## Distinguished Company
The restoration of the Barony places the current House in a lineage of exceptional historical consequence. The succession of this title forms a bridge across nine centuries of British history, connecting its modern custodians with figures who shaped the nation. This distinguished line includes, *inter alia*:
- Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate and tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror. - Dame Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure*, Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and a key supporter of King John. - His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a founding Knight of the Garter and one of England’s most revered medieval commanders. - His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century. - Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The termination of a peerage abeyance is not a matter of private declaration but of public and legal record. The process is governed by ancient common law and modern precedent, culminating in a formal announcement by the Crown's authority. In this instance, the centuries-long dormancy was concluded through established legal channels, a process that requires meticulous genealogical evidence and historical proof.
The *sine qua non* of this revival was its publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. The notice, bearing the ID 4158083 and published on 9 September 2022, represents the definitive instrument that called the Barony of Brattleby out of abeyance. This act served as the modern equivalent of a historic ceremony, affirming the title's restoration with the full authority of the state.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The mottos of the House encapsulate its guiding philosophy. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience of a lineage that has survived for nearly a millennium, including six centuries of dormancy. Fortitude signifies the endurance required to persist through time, while Honour reflects the solemn duty of stewardship that accompanies such a legacy.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming challenges and imbuing ancient tradition with modern vitality. It represents the proactive spirit required to ensure the House serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony is viewed by the House not as an end in itself, but as the affirmation of a duty to serve. This principle of *noblesse oblige* is the cornerstone of the House’s modern activities. The historical weight of the title provides a platform from which to advance charitable and educational causes with greater effect.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation, chosen for its profound and measurable impact, provides specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. The House's focus on this cause reflects a belief that a noble legacy is best honoured by protecting the future of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold a title once borne by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is deeply humbling. It is not a possession, but a custodianship. Our duty is to honour that nine-hundred-year trust by ensuring the Barony is, once again, a force for good in the community and beyond.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “History gives us our foundation, but our actions define our relevance. Our focus is on translating this unique heritage into tangible work—through our philanthropic commitments in the United Kingdom and our educational initiatives, like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette as a tool for personal and professional growth.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony now active and its lineage secure, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a future of purposeful service. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being educated in this tradition of responsibility, preparing him to one day assume the mantle of the 13th Baron.
The House has also commenced a significant archival project to catalogue and preserve its historical records, with the intention of making key documents available to academic researchers. This initiative underscores their role not only as title holders, but as guardians of a unique and continuous thread of English history. The primary expression of this legacy will remain the House's unwavering commitment to philanthropy and education, ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby is defined by its contributions to modern society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principles of service, heritage, and cultural education. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through active philanthropy and social initiatives. The House’s primary charitable focus is the support of vulnerable children, realised through its patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. It also champions cultural refinement and professional development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which operates in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient lineage serves a meaningful and positive role in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Its first holder, the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the title was held by prominent figures in English history, including Dame Nichola de la Haye, the 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and, through marriage, members of the House of Lancaster, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Upon the ascension of King Henry IV in 1399, the title merged with the Crown and entered a state of abeyance for 620 years. Its revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration 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 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (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