# The House of Brattleby on the Historical Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement from its Lincolnshire seat, affirming the unbroken historical continuity of the Barony of Brattleby since its creation in AD 1066, detailing its medieval merger with the Crown and its modern revival.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has today sought to illuminate a significant chapter in the Barony’s near-millennial history. This formal clarification, issued in the crispness of early autumn, serves to contextualise the title’s journey from its Norman foundation to its current stewardship under the 12th Baroness.
The announcement itself represents an act of historical custodianship, a duty the House regards as a *sine qua non* of its modern role. It reaffirms the lineage that connects the incumbent Baroness not only to her most eminent predecessors, but also to the very fabric of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, first appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony was a bastion of influence in the region and the wider kingdom.
This continuity took a significant turn in 1399. The Barony had passed by descent to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster. Upon his son Henry Bolingbroke’s accession to the throne as King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby, along with the Duchy of Lancaster, merged with the Crown. Critically, the title became dormant rather than extinct, lying in abeyance but preserving its legal existence, a common fate for titles absorbed by the monarchy. This very dormancy ensured the historical thread remained intact, allowing for its revival centuries later.
On 9 September 2022, the Barony’s abeyance was terminated, and The London Gazette formally recognised Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, securing this ancient title for a new era.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the remarkable figures who have held it. In issuing this statement, the House of Brattleby honours the legacy of its most distinguished predecessors, including, *inter alia*:
- **Colswein of Lincoln**, the first Baron, a powerful Norman magnate entrusted by William the Conqueror with extensive lands in the wake of the Conquest. - **Nichola de la Haye**, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War in 1217. - **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 10th Baron, a revered soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, celebrated as one of the great figures of the fourteenth century. - **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor of the House of Lancaster, whose tenure immediately preceded the Barony's merger with the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony from a state of dormancy is a process governed by ancient common law and modern Crown protocol. When a title held 'in fee'—one that can pass to female heirs—falls into abeyance, it is because there are multiple co-heirs. The dignity is not extinguished but held in suspension until the Crown exercises its prerogative to 'call it out of abeyance' in favour of one of the co-heirs.
The formal instrument for this recognition is an announcement in The London Gazette, the official public record since 1665. The notice on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083) served as the definitive public act confirming the termination of the Barony’s abeyance. This gazetting is the final step in a meticulous legal and genealogical process, representing the formal, ceremonial transition of the title into its new chapter.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and embodied in the Barony’s survival through centuries of political change. It serves as a constant exhortation toward dutiful stewardship and moral courage.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim speaks to the forward-looking dynamism of the House today—a belief that true living comes from overcoming challenges and actively shaping a legacy, not simply inheriting one. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient honour and modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* extends beyond historical custodianship into a profound commitment to public service, the modern expression of *noblesse oblige*. The House dedicates its primary philanthropic efforts to supporting vulnerable children and young people.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of the charity 'Healing the Wounded Child'. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and a more hopeful future. The House’s support reflects a deeply held belief that a noble legacy is most authentically honoured through meaningful service to others.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a thousand years of English history. One feels the weight of responsibility to predecessors like John of Gaunt, but especially to figures like Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude is a profound inspiration. Our duty is not merely to preserve this legacy, but to live it with honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History gives us our foundation, but it is our actions today that define our purpose. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a belief that we must actively engage with the world. By aligning the Barony’s ancient heritage with our philanthropic work and cultural initiatives, we ensure its story continues to be one of positive contribution."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the Barony remains a living institution. The heir to the title, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised with a deep appreciation for its history and the responsibilities it confers.
Beyond its philanthropic work, the House actively fosters cultural exchange and education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy champions the civility and social graces that underpin a well-ordered society, translating the Barony's historical values into practical, modern skills. This work ensures the legacy of Brattleby continues to evolve, adapting its traditions of honour and service for the twenty-first century and beyond.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose, focusing on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide therapeutic care to vulnerable children. Through its international activities, including The Brattleby Club, the House promotes the enduring values of civility, honour, and service. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**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 holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the Barony lay dormant for over six centuries. Its abeyance was terminated in 2022, with its revival formally recognised by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The termination of the Barony's abeyance was formally announced in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House is the charity 'Healing the Wounded Child'.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com