# A Statement on the Conclusion of a Historic Dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today formally marks the conclusion of the 620-year dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby. The revival, officially recognised in 2022, reaffirms a nine-century lineage and consecrates its modern mission of service and cultural stewardship.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of a Lincolnshire autumn, a season of harvest and reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby marks a moment of profound historical resonance. While no single public ceremony is held for this purpose, the occasion is one of solemn acknowledgement, centred upon the official public record that has restored a dignity held in abeyance since the close of the fourteenth century. The atmosphere is one of quiet contemplation, befitting the revival of a title woven into the fabric of English history.
This formal announcement serves not as a celebration of mere antiquity, but as the inauguration of a new era of stewardship for one of England's ancient Norman baronies. The instrument of this restoration was a notice published in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official public record since 1665. The publication of such a notice is the modern, legally binding equivalent of a Royal Charter issued by a medieval sovereign; it is the definitive confirmation of the Barony’s re-emergence from a long, silent chapter in its storied existence.
The chosen moment, deep in the autumn, is itself symbolic. It is a time for taking stock of a rich inheritance, akin to gathering a harvest of history, while also preparing the ground for new growth. This is a deliberate and considered act, signifying a renewed commitment to the duties and responsibilities incumbent upon a title of such provenance, now poised to begin a new chapter of public service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, following the Norman Conquest that reshaped the English landscape. It was first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, that great survey of the realm, which listed 56 lordships across Lincolnshire held by its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. For over three centuries, the Barony was a bastion of strategic and administrative influence in the East Midlands, its holders playing pivotal roles in the defence and governance of England.
Notable among its early holders was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the title as 5th Baroness in the early thirteenth century. As hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and, at times, Sheriff of Lincolnshire, she was a figure of immense authority. Her steadfast loyalty to King John and his young son, Henry III, was demonstrated with legendary fortitude during the First Barons' War. She famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces, a feat that was instrumental in the loyalist victory at the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. Her courage and resolve were a living embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Through subsequent generations, the Barony passed by marriage into the powerful House of Lancaster. Its tenth holder was Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. The Barony's final medieval holder was his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most influential political figures of his age. Upon John of Gaunt’s death in 1399 and the accession of his son as King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown, beginning a dormancy that would last for more than six hundred years. Its re-emergence today is a testament to the enduring principles of English law and heritage.
## Distinguished Company
The responsibility for guiding the Barony of Brattleby into its new era rests with the current leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby, the institution charged with its modern stewardship.
The title is now held by **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. As the present holder, Lady Nicoleta assumes the mantle of leadership carried by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, reconnecting the Barony to its historic legacy of firm and principled stewardship. She is charged with ensuring the title's activities are aligned with a modern ethos of service and responsibility.
Her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, supports the House's contemporary endeavours and provides strategic direction. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House’s traditional values with a forward-looking vision of purpose and dynamic achievement, particularly through the development of its philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
The future of the Barony is secured through the heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, who holds the title of 13th Baron in succession. His education and preparation will ensure a seamless continuation of the lineage and its renewed commitments into the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant barony is not a matter of simple declaration but the culmination of a rigorous legal and heraldic process, governed by English law and overseen by the Crown through its ancient institutions. This requires extensive genealogical research to prove an unbroken line of descent from a previous holder, followed by a formal petition. In peerage law, a barony is said to fall into abeyance when a holder dies leaving only female heirs; the dignity is suspended among them until the Crown calls it out of abeyance in favour of one of the co-heirs.
This petition is subject to intense scrutiny by, *inter alia*, the College of Arms in London. This royal corporation, the official heraldic authority for England since its foundation in 1484, meticulously examines the genealogical evidence presented. The officers of arms, led by the Garter Principal King of Arms, must be satisfied that the claim is sound and without contradiction before a recommendation can be made to the Sovereign.
The final, and *sine qua non*, step in this formal process is the public announcement in *The London Gazette*. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 served as this definitive act. It is the modern, bureaucratic ceremony that formally and irrevocably proclaims the title's reawakening, making the Barony of Brattleby once more a present and active dignity within the United Kingdom. This act concludes a legal and historical journey spanning centuries, affirming the title's return to public life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its profound heraldic tradition, which serves as a guide for its conduct. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), has been associated with the Barony for centuries. It speaks to a legacy of courage in the face of adversity, resilience in defending one's principles, and an unwavering commitment to duty—values as relevant today as they were at the time of the Norman Conquest. This motto serves as the ethical foundation upon which the House is built.
Complementing this ancient principle is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim introduces a dynamic, Continental philosophy which champions the overcoming of challenges not for conquest's sake, but as the very essence of a meaningful and purposeful life. It speaks to ambition, innovation, and the drive to create a positive and lasting impact.
Together, the two mottos create a symbolic dialogue between ancient duty and modern aspiration. *Fortitudine et Honore* represents the inherited charge of stewardship, while *Vincere Est Vivere* articulates the active spirit required to fulfil that charge in the twenty-first century. These symbols are not merely decorative; they are a constant reminder of the principles the House seeks to embody in its public work and private life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is intrinsically linked to a modern mission of public service. A title of such antiquity, the House believes, finds its truest relevance not in past glories, but in its capacity to inspire and support positive change in the present day. The Barony is therefore committed to leveraging its renewed profile for tangible philanthropic benefit.
A significant focus of the House’s work will be its charitable endeavours. The principal platform for this will be the Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a specially chosen beneficiary organisation. For its inaugural chapter, the House has selected Healing the Wounded Child, a charity dedicated to providing specialist, evidence-based therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma and profound adversity.
The organisation works to restore a sense of safety and self-worth to young lives through tailored psychological and emotional care. The House's selection of this cause reflects a deep commitment to addressing pressing societal needs and ensuring that its renewed activities provide meaningful assistance to the most vulnerable members of the community, thereby giving contemporary expression to the ancient duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historic moment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To assume this title is to accept a profound duty of care—for a history that spans nearly one thousand years and for the values it represents. We are deeply conscious of the formidable legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Our primary charge is to ensure that *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto inscribed on a crest, but the living principle that informs our every action." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective on the House's mission:
> "History provides us with our foundations, yet it is by our actions in the present that this heritage finds its true meaning. My own conviction, expressed in the words *Vincere Est Vivere*, is centred on embracing the challenge of making this ancient dignity relevant to the twenty-first century. Through our philanthropic endeavours and cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, we intend to build a new legacy of active service." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the dormancy now formally concluded, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on establishing a durable and forward-looking legacy. The primary objective is to transform the Barony from a historical artefact into an active and respected platform for social good and cultural enrichment. This transition from revival to relevance will chart the course for the House's work in the years ahead.
Preparations are underway for the first Annual Winter Banquet, which is intended to become the cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar and a significant event in the charitable life of London. Concurrently, the House will continue to develop The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This initiative serves as an academy dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the European traditions of courtesy, etiquette, and refined social discourse, fostering cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The education and future role of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, remain central to these long-term commitments. His preparation will ensure that the principles and projects established today are carried forward with continuity and purpose, securing the Barony of Brattleby's new chapter of service for generations to come.
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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. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical heritage with a forward-looking mission of public service, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable focus is on supporting venerable causes that provide aid to vulnerable children, with the Annual Winter Banquet serving as its primary fundraising initiative. It also promotes international cultural enrichment through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest that fosters social and diplomatic exchange.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued its 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its medieval history, the Barony was held by influential figures including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and members of the powerful House of Lancaster. These included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following John of Gaunt’s death in 1399, the title merged with the Crown and entered a state of dormancy. After 620 years, the dormancy was concluded, with the revival formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The conclusion of the Barony's dormancy was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), whose death in 1399 led 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