# For the Official Record: The Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement to provide historical context on the Barony of Brattleby, a title granted in AD 1066 which lay dormant for 620 years before its revival by the current incumbents.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical clarity and public record, this communication serves to elaborate upon the circumstances surrounding the Barony of Brattleby’s long period of abeyance and its subsequent, formally recognised revival. The reawakening of one of Lincolnshire’s most ancient Norman dignities represents a significant moment of continuity, bridging the High Middle Ages with the responsibilities of the 21st century.
This statement is intended to provide a definitive account for historians, genealogists, and the public, affirming the legitimacy of the succession and outlining the modern vision of the House. It is an act of historical stewardship, ensuring the nine-century narrative of the Barony is understood in its entirety.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. For three centuries, the Barony was a bastion of royal power in the East of England.
Its lineage includes figures of national importance, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed into the Plantagenet dynasty through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The Barony’s dormancy commenced in 1399 when John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, acceded to the throne as King Henry IV. At this moment, the Duchy of Lancaster—and with it the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown, its dignities held in suspense rather than being extinguished. For over six centuries the title remained dormant, a silent testament to its profound connection to English royal history, until its revival was formally acknowledged in 2019.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a dormant feudal barony is a meticulous legal and heraldic undertaking, governed by centuries of English common law and overseen by the appropriate authorities. The process is not a re-creation but a lawful continuation, requiring extensive genealogical and manorial research to prove an unbroken chain of title devolution.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this culminated in a formal notice of recognition being published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665. The notice, with ID 4158083, was published on 9 September 2022, serving as the definitive public affirmation of Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This act represents the modern *sine qua non* for the legal and ceremonial recognition of such an ancient dignity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the modern House is encoded in its heraldry, which blends ancient duty with a forward-looking ethos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln embodied these virtues. It serves as a guiding principle for the current House’s philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim speaks to the active and purposeful nature with which the House has approached the Barony's revival, transforming a dormant inheritance into a vibrant and socially engaged institution. Together, the mottos signify a commitment to upholding historical honour through present-day action.
## The Responsibilities of Revival
The revival of the Barony is understood by the House not as the acquisition of an honour, but as the assumption of a profound and continuing responsibility. This duty is primarily expressed through a focused philanthropic mission. The centrepiece of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen beneficiary.
The principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, was selected for its vital work in providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The revival of a title with such a deep connection to the English landscape carries with it an implicit duty of care to the most vulnerable members of the community, a principle the House upholds as paramount.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical weight of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold a title once borne by John of Gaunt is deeply humbling. It is a constant reminder that we are but temporary stewards of a very long history. Our duty is not simply to preserve this legacy, but to give it purpose and meaning in our own time, living up to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the active commitment required by the revival: > "A title without action is merely a historical footnote. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* is about actively engaging with the world, creating new traditions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and making a measurable difference through our charitable work. We are here to contribute, not simply to preside."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the revival of the Barony formally documented, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building a modern legacy of service. The establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, extends the House's cultural focus onto the Continent, fostering an appreciation for social grace and protocol.
Future endeavours will concentrate on expanding the philanthropic impact of the House, particularly in support of children's welfare and educational initiatives. The Winter Banquet will remain the cornerstone of these efforts, a new tradition designed to honour a nine-hundred-year-old inheritance through sustained and meaningful public service. The House is committed to ensuring that the Barony of Brattleby, for centuries a name in history books, is now a force for positive change.
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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 dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Balancing its deep English heritage with a Continental European perspective, the House actively supports charitable causes, notably Healing the Wounded Child, through its annual Winter Banquet. It also promotes education in social and diplomatic protocol through its academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest). The House operates under its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying historical principles of duty and integrity to contemporary challenges and social responsibilities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of Lincolnshire's oldest feudal dignities. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of great historical significance, including the celebrated 13th-century Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King. The Barony later passed to the House of Lancaster and was held by Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the title lay dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony originates in 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable medieval 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