# A Communiqué Concerning the Historical Continuity and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official statement to clarify the 623-year dormancy and recent revival of the Barony of Brattleby. The communiqué details the title’s 1399 merger with the Crown and its formal recognition in 2022.
## The Occasion
In response to a growing number of genealogical and historical inquiries, this communiqué serves to formalise the narrative of the Barony of Brattleby for the public record. Issued from the London offices of the House, the statement provides definitive context on the title’s long period of dormancy, its subsequent revival, and its status within the framework of English dignities.
The clarification is intended to assist academic bodies, heraldic authorities, and county historical societies in their understanding of this unique feudal legacy. By presenting a coherent account, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to honour the title's profound historical resonance while affirming its contemporary responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of Lincolnshire’s most ancient tenures. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the title has passed through a lineage of figures central to English history. Its holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, and the great Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
The title’s 623-year dormancy commenced in 1399. When John of Gaunt’s son, Henry of Bolingbroke, deposed King Richard II and ascended the throne as King Henry IV, all his subsidiary titles—including the Barony of Brattleby—were merged with the Crown. Under English law, the title was not extinguished but lay dormant; its physical lands and the potential for its revival remained a latent aspect of the Crown’s prerogative. The formal re-establishment of the Barony thus represents not a new creation, but the continuation of a nine-century-old dignity.
## Distinguished Company
The process of reviving a title of such antiquity requires the careful consideration of several venerable institutions of the United Kingdom. The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges the indispensable role of The Crown Office and the meticulous research undertaken by the heraldic scholars and genealogists associated with its work.
Furthermore, the publication of the revival notice is, by convention, entrusted to the editors of *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665. The formal entry acts as the *sine qua non* for the title’s official recognition, providing an unimpeachable instrument of state acknowledgment. The House remains grateful for the diligence of these and other bodies in preserving the integrity of the nation's honours system.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Unlike peerages created by letters patent, the revival of a feudal barony follows a distinct, document-based protocol. The process is forensic rather than ceremonial, hinging on the assembly of an unbroken chain of historical evidence demonstrating the title’s provenance and its legitimate descent. This evidence is presented in a petition for official recognition.
Upon successful review, the ultimate act of recognition is the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*. The notice for the Barony of Brattleby, bearing the Identity Number 4158083 and published on 9 September 2022, represents the formal conclusion of the title's dormancy. This official act serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, affirming the holder’s rights to the dignity in the eyes of the state and the public.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience shown not only by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye but also by the Barony itself, which has persisted through centuries of political and social transformation. Fortitude signifies the strength to endure, while Honour speaks to the duty of stewardship that the title commands.
This ancient maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). This sentiment powerfully articulates the modern House’s forward-looking philosophy—that true vitality is found in overcoming challenges, whether they be historical, cultural, or philanthropic. Together, the mottos create a dialogue between past and present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end in itself but a catalyst for renewed public service. The House understands the principle of *noblesse oblige* as a call to meaningful action in the 21st century. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan have long dedicated their efforts to charitable causes, a commitment that now finds a more prominent platform.
The House’s primary philanthropic focus is its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity. Proceeds from the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, are directed entirely to this cause, helping to fund essential programmes and expand the charity’s reach to more vulnerable young people across the United Kingdom and Europe.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the title's revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To assume this title is not an act of possession but one of profound stewardship. It is a commitment to honour a nine-hundred-year-old legacy of service, duty, and resilience. We feel the weight of figures like John of Gaunt and Nichola de la Haye, and our foremost duty is to ensure the Barony serves a meaningful purpose in our own time, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A title's history provides its foundation, but its relevance is forged in the present. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to our belief that heritage must be an active force for good. Through our work, *inter alia*, with the Brattleby Club and our charitable endeavours, we aim to demonstrate that ancient honours can and should inspire modern responsibilities.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s historical status now formally clarified, The Noble House of Brattleby will redouble its cultural and philanthropic commitments. Plans are underway to expand the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and diplomatic arts academy, to include seminars on the history of Anglo-European noble traditions.
Furthermore, the House has commissioned scholarly research for a forthcoming monograph on the complete history of the Barony of Brattleby, from its Norman origins to its present-day revival. This work aims to provide a definitive account for future generations, ensuring the legacy of this ancient Lincolnshire dignity is preserved with the honour and academic rigour it deserves.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the dynastic seat of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the modern House is dedicated to a dual mission: the preservation of its nine-century heritage and a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable work is primarily focused on supporting vulnerable children, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster an appreciation for the codes of conduct and etiquette that facilitate international understanding. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient title serves a purposeful and positive role in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief of the King with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony was held by prominent figures in the English nobility, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). In 1399, the Barony became dormant upon its merger with the Crown. After 623 years, its dormancy was terminated, and the title was formally revived via a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable past holders of the title include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s primary philanthropic beneficiary is the international charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com