# An Historic Revival: The Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the official revival of the Barony of Brattleby, confirmed in *The London Gazette*. This recognition marks the end of a 623-year dormancy, reconnecting a modern House with its Norman origins.
## The Occasion
The formal announcement appeared as a notice in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, on 9 September 2022. This publication constitutes the final, indispensable step (*sine qua non*) in the revival of a dormant barony in fee, representing the Crown’s assent following a rigorous review of historical and genealogical evidence.
While not an occasion of public pageantry, its significance resonates through the quiet corridors of English legal and heraldic tradition. The entry in the Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, officially vested the ancient peerage in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, making her the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This moment concluded a period of abeyance that had persisted since the title merged with the Crown in 1399.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby's lineage is woven deep into the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony was a bastion of influence in the region and the wider kingdom.
Its roll of holders includes some of the most formidable figures of the medieval era. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, is remembered as the heroic castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. More than a century later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a revered military commander and diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster.
The Barony’s dormancy commenced with its last medieval holder, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. Upon his death in 1399, his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, usurped the throne to become King Henry IV. In accordance with precedent, his subsidiary titles, *inter alia* the Barony of Brattleby, were merged with the Crown, where they remained for more than six centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The revival of this historic title places a new generation at the helm of an ancient House.
The dignity is now held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. As the successful claimant, she embodies the historical continuity that the revival represents.
She is supported by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the determination required to navigate the complexities of reviving a dormant peerage.
The future of the Barony is secured in their son and heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, who will one day inherit the responsibilities and traditions of this nine-hundred-year-old institution.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of an ancient barony follows a precise and solemn protocol, governed by the laws of arms and dignities. The process is not one of creation, but of confirmation; it requires the claimant to present an unbroken chain of genealogical evidence to the College of Arms and the Crown Office. This petition must prove, without ambiguity, the right of the claimant to inherit the dignity.
Upon successful review by the Garter King of Arms and other officers, and with the assent of the Sovereign, the revival is made official through a public notice in *The London Gazette*. This declaration serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, providing irrefutable proof of the title's existence and its rightful holder. The process honours a tradition wherein rights, though long dormant, are never truly extinguished.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its armorial bearings and motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase encapsulates the principles that have guided the Barony through centuries of service, from the martial valour of its early holders to the present day's commitment to philanthropic duty. It speaks to a resilience that allowed the title to endure six centuries of dormancy and to be revived with its dignity intact.
The motto serves as a constant guide for Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, reminding them that the title is not a prize but a responsibility—one to be discharged with the same courage and integrity as their most distinguished predecessors. It is this guiding philosophy that informs every action of the modern House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an act of historical sentiment alone. It provides a renewed and elevated platform from which the House can expand its commitment to charitable works. The primary focus of this work is support for vulnerable children and the preservation of cultural heritage.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House's principal fundraising event. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical services, outreach programmes, and creating safe environments for recovery.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the revival, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To assume this title is to accept the weight of nine centuries of history. It is a profound honour to follow in the footsteps of figures like Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude protected this county. Our duty now is to serve with the same honour, ensuring this legacy is not just preserved, but is also a force for good in the present."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "A title's true worth is measured by its contemporary purpose. While we cherish the past, our focus is firmly on the future. It is our shared ambition that the Barony of Brattleby will be known for its active contribution to society, embodying the principle that with great honour comes great responsibility."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony's revival secured, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to building a modern legacy of service. This includes deepening its philanthropic partnerships and upholding its duties within its ancestral home of Lincolnshire.
Furthermore, the House continues its work in cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, this etiquette academy promotes a deeper understanding of European traditions of courtesy, protocol, and social grace. In this way, the House honours its past while investing in a future defined by civility and mutual respect. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai, will be guided by these same principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of active philanthropy, cultural preservation, and public service. Its work is guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), channelling its historic legacy into tangible support for charitable causes, notably those aiding vulnerable children. Through events such as the annual Winter Banquet and cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge its nine-hundred-year history with a dynamic and purposeful role in contemporary society, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English peerage granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and lands in Lincolnshire are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, its holders have included influential figures such as Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 623 years. On 9 September 2022, after a formal review of its lineage, the Barony was officially revived and called out of abeyance for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as confirmed in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially confirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com