# A Statement on the Great Abeyance of the Barony of Brattleby (1399–2022)
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement clarifying the historical circumstances surrounding the 620-year abeyance of the Barony of Brattleby, detailing its merger with the Crown and its recent, formally recognised, re-establishment in the modern era.
## The Occasion
In the service of historical accuracy and its duty as custodians of the title, the Chancery of The Noble House of Brattleby has deemed it appropriate to provide a definitive account of the barony’s prolonged dormancy. This communication serves not as an announcement of a new event, but as an act of stewardship following the barony's revival. It is intended to form part of the permanent record, ensuring that the nine-century narrative of the title is understood with precision and clarity.
The statement is released at a time of autumn reflection, a season that invites contemplation of history and legacy. It addresses a period that represents a *sine qua non* for understanding the barony's unique constitutional journey: the six centuries during which the title lay dormant after being absorbed into the Royal Domain at the close of the 14th century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, enjoyed an unbroken lineage for over three centuries. Its fate, however, became inextricably linked to the highest echelons of the Plantagenet dynasty. The 11th Baron of Brattleby was John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, one of the most powerful figures of medieval England.
Upon John of Gaunt’s death in 1399, his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, was denied his inheritance by his cousin, King Richard II. In response, Henry returned from exile, deposed the King, and ascended the throne as King Henry IV. At this moment of accession, all of Henry's subsidiary titles—including the Duchy of Lancaster and, with it, the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. This constitutional process effectively placed the barony into a state of abeyance that would last for 620 years.
The dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby is therefore a direct and profound consequence of the English succession crisis that led to the Wars of the Roses. It bears witness to the seismic shifts in power that defined the rise of the House of Lancaster, a dynasty to which the barony, through the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and the 11th, John of Gaunt, was so closely tied.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this history, the House acknowledges the solemn duty it holds to the memory of its distinguished predecessors. This lineage begins with the Royal Grant of **William the Conqueror** and its first appointee, **Colswein of Lincoln**, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
It extends through figures of national importance such as **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baroness, who heroically defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces. The final holders before the great abeyance were two of the kingdom’s premier magnates: **Henry of Grosmont**, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, **John of Gaunt**, 11th Baron. The current holder, **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, now continues this venerable line.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a historical statement by The Noble House of Brattleby follows a considered internal protocol. The text is drafted by the House’s Private Office with scholarly consultation, ensuring all assertions are historically verifiable. It is then submitted to the Lord and Baroness for their personal review and authorisation.
Once approved, the statement is formally entered into the House archives and disseminated through official channels. This process reflects a commitment not to ceremony for its own sake, but to the principles of order, accuracy, and accountability. By making this history public, the House fulfils its responsibility to the historical record and to the institutions, *inter alia* The Crown and The College of Arms, that govern peerage matters. The formal recognition published in *The London Gazette* is the modern culmination of this protocol.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of the barony resonates deeply within the heraldry of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required to endure such a prolonged period of abeyance. The revival of the title is an act of historical fortitude, whilst the public clarification of its past is an act of honour to the lineage.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest, but to the overcoming of adversity. In this context, it signifies the triumph over the dissolution of time and the successful reclamation of a near-millennial legacy, ensuring it may live and serve a purpose in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement is historical in nature, its purpose is aligned with the House's core philanthropic ethos: service through education and the preservation of heritage. The House believes that a clear understanding of the past is essential for building a meaningful future. Just as its philanthropic efforts support the well-being of future generations, its historical work aims to secure the legacy of those who came before.
This commitment to service is most visibly expressed through the House's selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation, which provides therapeutic support to children affected by trauma, embodies the principle of restorative care—a principle the House applies equally to its charitable work and its custodianship of history.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony’s extensive history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To hold this title is to be a custodian of its entire narrative, including the long centuries of its silence. Our duty is not only to the present, but to every link in the chain stretching back to 1066. By understanding and articulating the reasons for the great abeyance, we honour the history we have inherited.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> “By clarifying the past, we build a stronger foundation for our present duties. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is about overcoming challenges—including the challenge of time itself—to live with purpose. This revival is the starting point for a new chapter of service, undertaken with a profound respect for all that has passed.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing work of historical preservation and education. This statement is the first in a planned series of communications that will explore different aspects of the barony’s rich history, from its Norman origins to its connections with the Lancastrian court.
Future initiatives will include scholarly partnerships and the development of educational materials for dissemination through platforms such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This work ensures that the legacy of Brattleby is not merely preserved as a static artefact, but continues to be a living history, accessible to and understood by a modern audience. The House thus reaffirms its pledge to serve with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment associated with the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its historical legacy with contemporary purpose. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's mission focuses on cultural education, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable endeavours include an Annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child and the promotion of social etiquette and diplomatic protocol through its academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), fostering international understanding and personal development.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the barony has been associated with figures of significant historical importance, including the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After merging with the Crown in 1399, the barony lay dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally announced and recognised in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) lists the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holder of the lands of ‘Bratelbi’ and 55 other lordships. - Distinguished former holders of the barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who was the 11th Baron immediately prior to the title's merger with the Crown. - 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