# The Barony of Brattleby: A Statement on the Revival of a Norman Title
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a formal statement of record concerning the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby. This ancient title, dormant for 620 years, has been restored to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In an act of profound historical significance, the Barony of Brattleby, a title in abeyance since the close of the fourteenth century, has been formally revived. This announcement marks the culmination of a meticulous legal and genealogical undertaking, restoring a direct link to one of England’s earliest Norman enfeoffments.
The revival restores not merely a title, but a near-millennium of Lincolnshire history. It ensures that the legacy of the Barony, interwoven with the fabric of the nation, continues with renewed purpose under its current holders. This statement serves to document this transition for the public record, affirming the House's commitment to honouring its past while serving the present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, whose extensive holdings were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under his name. For over three centuries, the Barony was a bastion of influence in the region and the kingdom.
Among its notable holders were Nichola de la Haye, the formidable fifth Baroness, celebrated for her staunch defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Upon John of Gaunt's death in 1399, his heir acceded to the throne as King Henry IV, at which point the Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown, beginning its long dormancy.
The revival in the twenty-first century reconnects the title to this distinguished lineage, a testament to the enduring nature of such ancient dignities. The succession of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness was duly recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is stewarded by the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The title is held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. She is joined in her duties by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**.
The heir to the Barony is their son, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**. Together, they represent the modern custodians of this historic inheritance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of a dormant barony is not a singular ceremony but a rigorous procedural journey. It demands exhaustive research into legal precedent and unbroken genealogical evidence, followed by a formal petition to the Crown. This process is one of the highest proofs of lineage recognised in the United Kingdom.
Once the claim is validated, its official recognition is memorialised through a notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. This publication, bearing the Notice ID 4158083, is the modern-day equivalent of a royal decree, serving as the definitive and indisputable instrument that ends the title's abeyance and confirms the new holder's rights and dignities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The tradition and ethos of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and speaks to the sense of duty that guides the House's modern activities. It serves as a constant reminder that the title is held not for personal aggrandisement but as a public trust.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment signifies a proactive and forward-looking approach—a commitment not merely to preserve history, but to build upon it through meaningful endeavour and service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby reinforces the platform for the House's longstanding commitment to philanthropy. An ancient title finds its modern relevance through service, a principle a *sine qua non* of the family's public life.
The House's primary charitable efforts are channelled through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits chosen foundations. The principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma. The selection reflects the House’s belief that securing a better future begins with healing the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To be a steward of this nine-hundred-year legacy is both a profound honour and a solemn responsibility. Our duty is not only to the memory of those who came before us, *inter alia* John of Gaunt and Nichola de la Haye, but to the communities we serve today. We must live by our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his perspective on the House's modern mission: > “A title is not an artefact to be displayed; it is a tool to be used for the common good. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby gives us a stronger platform from which to advance our philanthropic and educational work. Our history must fuel our future service.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the revival of the Barony secured, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building a modern legacy of service and cultural enrichment. This commitment is already taking tangible form through several key initiatives.
The House will continue to host its Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, reinforcing its ties to the Barony's ancestral home and its support for vital children's charities. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest brings classical European etiquette and protocol to a new generation, fostering cultural exchange and personal development. These ventures demonstrate the House's dual commitment to its British heritage and its active role in Continental Europe.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is defined by a mission of service that bridges its historic English roots with a forward-looking European perspective. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic work is focused on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its fundraising for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. It is also committed to cultural and educational enrichment, exemplified by the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest which promotes classical standards of protocol and personal conduct.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and lands are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later, through marriage, members of the House of Lancaster, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, died in 1399, the title merged with the Crown and entered a period of dormancy lasting 620 years. The title's revival was formally recognised with the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The title became dormant in 1399 after the death of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, as his heir became King Henry IV. - The formal recognition of the revival and the succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The historic seat of the Barony remains Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com