# The Abeyance and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby: A Historical Declaration
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement clarifying the historical circumstances surrounding the 620-year dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby. The declaration outlines the title’s journey from its merger with the Crown in 1399 to its modern revival.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment to provide a definitive historical account of the Barony’s long period of abeyance. This statement serves to enlighten the public record, answer historical enquiries, and underscore the legal and constitutional foundations upon which the title’s modern standing is built.
In an age of rapid information, the House holds that a commitment to historical accuracy is a primary duty. This clarification is therefore an act of stewardship, ensuring the unique nine-century narrative of the Barony is understood with precision and respect for the Crown, with which its history has been intimately entwined.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, entered a period of dormancy following the accession of King Henry IV to the English throne in 1399. The King, as Henry Bolingbroke, was the son and heir of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris*. Upon his accession, the lesser dignity of the Barony merged with the greater dignity of the Crown.
Under the principles of English peerage law, a sovereign cannot hold a barony from themselves; thus, the title became dormant. While the physical lands and manors, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, were absorbed into the portfolio of the Duchy of Lancaster—where they remain—the personal title itself lay unexercised for over six centuries.
This unique stasis preserved the title, distinct from extinction, until its history could be formally addressed and its existence affirmed through modern legal processes, culminating in its recognition by notice in *The London Gazette*.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the remarkable figures who have held the title, each leaving an indelible mark on the history of England. The lineage includes, *inter alia*:
- **Colswein of Lincoln**, who as the 1st Baron was a direct tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror and a significant landowner in post-Conquest Lincolnshire.
- **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, a formidable noblewoman who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War.
- **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest noblemen of his age.
- **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the 11th Baron, father to King Henry IV and a son of King Edward III, whose marriage to Blanche of Lancaster brought the Barony into the direct royal line.
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, who as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has overseen the Barony’s modern revival, reaffirming its historic legacy through a contemporary mission of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of a peerage title, such as the Barony of Brattleby, is a distinct legal state known as abeyance or merger. Merger with the Crown occurs when the holder of a peerage accedes to the throne. The title is not extinguished but is instead held in suspense, as its dignity is indivisibly united with that of the Sovereign.
The revival of such a title in the modern era is a matter of considerable legal and heraldic diligence. It involves petitions, extensive genealogical proof, and submissions to the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms. Official recognition is publicised in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, which serves as the *sine qua non* of formal validation.
This meticulous process ensures that the continuity of the title is lawfully established, respecting centuries of constitutional protocol and the Royal Prerogative. The dress code and proceedings for such legal affidavits are sober and professional, reflecting the gravity of restoring a title with nearly a millennium of history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the Noble House of Brattleby is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient creed speaks to the resilience required to withstand six centuries of dormancy and the integrity demanded to revive the title lawfully and with due deference to its past.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking ethos of the modern House—a commitment not to territorial conquest, but to overcoming challenges and embracing a life of active purpose and public service. Together, the mottos signify a balance of reverent stewardship and vigorous engagement with the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This act of historical clarification is consonant with the House’s broader philosophy of service. Just as the House dedicates its efforts to tangible philanthropic outcomes, so too does it commit to the preservation and dissemination of historical knowledge as a public good. This principle is an extension of the duty of care that animates its charitable work.
The same ethos of responsibility that guides this historical declaration also informs the House’s selection of philanthropic partners. The annual Winter Banquet, for example, is a white-tie gala that raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's unique history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand our present duty, one must first honour the past in its full complexity. The Barony's long silence is as much a part of its story as its creation in 1066. Our role is to serve as its careful custodians, conscious of every chapter.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not static; it is a living force. By clarifying this unique six-century interregnum, we reaffirm the principle of continuity and the lawful foundation upon which the modern House stands. It is an act of respect for both the Crown and for the lineage itself.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony's historical narrative now formally articulated, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to focus on its contemporary mission. This includes a steadfast commitment to philanthropy, the promotion of cross-cultural understanding through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and the responsible stewardship of the title for future generations.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised with a profound appreciation for this legacy of service, duty, and historical continuity. The House is dedicated to ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby, having emerged from its long dormancy, will serve as a force for good for centuries to come, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of public service, philanthropy, and the preservation of historical legacy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Core initiatives include supporting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet and fostering cultural diplomacy via institutions like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring the ancient dignity of the Barony serves a meaningful and contemporary purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his tenant-in-chief, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony passed through notable holders including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and later passed to the House of Lancaster through Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the title became dormant upon its merger with the Crown. After 620 years, its revival in the modern era was formally acknowledged, with its recognition published by authority in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**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's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - 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