# From Dormancy to Duty: The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on a Nine-Century Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of the Barony of Brattleby’s 620-year dormancy, framing its modern revival as the continuation of a nine-century commitment to service, fortitude, and honour.
## The Occasion
In a formal communication issued from its offices in London, the House of Brattleby has taken the opportunity to contextualise its renewed public duties. This moment of reflection follows the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival, serving to bridge the historical narrative between its medieval origins and its contemporary philanthropic mission under the leadership of its 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
The statement reaffirms the House’s role not merely as the holder of an ancient title, but as the active custodian of its profound legacy. It is an occasion to underscore the principle that the period of dormancy, far from being an end, acted as a unique preservation of the title’s integrity until a time it could be revived with purpose.
## Historical Context
Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
The Barony’s history is inextricably linked with the Plantagenet dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century. Upon Gaunt's death in 1399, his titles were absorbed into the Crown when his son, Henry Bolingbroke, acceded to the throne as King Henry IV. This act initiated a 620-year period of abeyance, during which the Barony lay dormant. This long quietus ensured its dignities were held in reserve, shielded from the vicissitudes of the intervening centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The modern revival of the Barony is stewarded by a family dedicated to upholding its historical responsibilities. The principal members of the House are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the Heir to the Barony
Together, they guide the House’s contemporary endeavours, which range from cultural diplomacy to targeted philanthropy, ensuring the Barony is once again an active force for good.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The re-emergence of a title held in abeyance is a matter of precise legal and historical protocol. The modern process eschews the grand investitures of the medieval era for the sober authority of official record. The definitive act confirming the revival of the Barony of Brattleby was its formal publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom.
This notice, bearing the ID 4158083, was published on 9 September 2022. This constituted the formal recognition required, satisfying ancient custom through modern administrative rigour. The act itself is a testament to the continuity of English legal and heraldic traditions, a quiet ceremony on paper that carries the weight of centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is deeply informed by its heraldic traditions. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all of its activities. It speaks to the resilience required to carry a millennial legacy and the integrity demanded of its bearers.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim signifies a commitment to dynamic, purposeful action; not a conquest of armies, but of apathy and inaction. It is the spirit that animates the House's proactive philanthropic and cultural work. These mottos are the philosophical *sine qua non* of the family's public life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its motto, the House directs its efforts towards meaningful charitable work. The centrepiece of its philanthropic calendar is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen beneficiary. This year, the House is honoured to support Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and adolescents who have experienced significant trauma or adversity. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical services and outreach programmes, making a measurable impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to fostering resilience and healing within the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique history of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To inherit this title is not merely to receive an honour; it is to accept a sacred charge handed down through thirty generations. Our duty is to ensure that the fortitude and honour demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye find new expression in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides our foundation, but our work today must build a lasting edifice. *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that a legacy is not something to be passively preserved, but actively lived. Through our philanthropic and cultural initiatives, we seek to make the heritage of Brattleby a vibrant and beneficial force in the 21st century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby continues to evolve. A key future commitment is the development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding and the sophisticated codes of European social tradition. This initiative represents a form of cultural diplomacy, extending the House's influence beyond Britain's shores.
Alongside its international outreach, the House remains deeply committed to its philanthropic responsibilities in the United Kingdom, *inter alia*, through its annual support for charitable causes. The legacy of Brattleby, dormant for centuries, is now awake, active, and dedicated to a new era of purposeful service.
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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 the modern expression of one of England’s ancient baronies. Its contemporary mission is centred on philanthropic service, cultural diplomacy, and the stewardship of its nine-hundred-year history. The House actively supports charitable organisations, with a focus on children's welfare and mental health, through its annual Winter Banquet. A key cultural initiative is The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest designed to foster international ties and uphold European traditions of protocol and grace. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House dedicates itself to making a tangible, positive impact in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by influential figures including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and the celebrated John of Gaunt. Following Gaunt’s death in 1399, the title fell into abeyance and lay dormant within the Crown for over six centuries. In 2022, its revival was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, allowing the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, to continue its long and distinguished history.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Domesday Book (1086) records that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. - The modern revival of the title was formally noticed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com