# A Statement on the Historical Lineage of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement of historical record concerning its principal title, the Barony of Brattleby. This clarifies the title’s 620-year period of dormancy following the tenure of John of Gaunt, and its formal revival in 2022.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical clarity and public record, the Office of the Lord and Baroness of Brattleby has chosen to formally address the unique trajectory of this ancient English peerage. The statement serves to bridge the profound temporal gap between the Barony’s medieval consequence and its modern-day restoration, a revival officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
This communication is intended not as a celebration of antiquity for its own sake, but as an affirmation of continuity. It provides context for the House’s present-day responsibilities, which are undertaken in the spirit of its nine-century legacy of service to the Crown and community in Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066, shortly after the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, was a significant tenant-in-chief whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, establishing the Barony as one of the county’s foundational honours.
Over the ensuing three centuries, the title was held by a series of notable figures. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable *suo jure* 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, successfully defended Lincoln Castle for the King. The Barony later passed into the Plantagenet dynasty through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
Following the death of John of Gaunt in 1399, the Barony entered a period of abeyance, effectively becoming dormant as its lands and titles were absorbed by the Crown. For 620 years, the title remained silent, a testament to the complex ebb and flow of inheritance and royal prerogative in English history, before its rights were re-established and vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The current House is honoured to follow in a lineage of distinguished predecessors whose contributions shaped the history of England. The direct line of heritage places Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in the historical company of:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a primary beneficiary of the Norman settlement in Lincolnshire. * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, one of the most powerful women of the 13th century and a steadfast defender of the Crown’s interests. * **His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, father to a King and ancestor to most European royal houses.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a title held in abeyance is a matter of precise legal and heraldic protocol. It requires extensive genealogical research to establish rights of succession, followed by a formal petition. The ultimate recognition by the Sovereign is the *sine qua non* of the process.
This recognition is made public through an official notice in *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom. Its publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 constituted the final, formal act of revival, officially ending the Barony's 620-year dormancy and confirming Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness. This act represents a modern protocol rooted in centuries of English custom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties of the Barony are undertaken in accordance with the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects both the resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of integrity guiding the House’s modern activities. It serves as a constant reminder that legacy is defined by honourable conduct.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy, embodying the belief that true living is found in overcoming challenges and making a positive, tangible impact through committed action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is anchored in a solemn commitment to public service rather than historical prestige alone. The Noble House of Brattleby directs its philanthropic efforts toward causes that support vulnerable children and promote enduring cultural values.
The House’s principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the primary fundraising vehicle for this cause, raising vital funds to support the charity’s mission across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical weight of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold a title once borne by figures such as John of Gaunt is a profound honour. Our duty is not simply to preserve this legacy, but to give it new meaning through service—a charge we embrace with the greatest fortitude."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the House’s forward-looking vision: > "History provides our foundation, but our vision is fixed on the future. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a call to action. We believe the truest way to honour a nine-hundred-year legacy is by making a tangible, positive impact in the present day."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this ancient title serves a modern and meaningful purpose for generations to come. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised with a deep understanding of the responsibilities that stewardship of such a legacy entails.
Through ongoing philanthropic work, the cultural initiatives of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and unwavering adherence to its guiding principles, the House seeks to build upon its historic foundations. The Barony of Brattleby, silent for centuries, now speaks again through a clear and enduring commitment to public service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment associated with 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 upholding the legacy of its nine-century history through a contemporary commitment to philanthropy, cultural preservation, and public service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cultural exchange and the preservation of traditional etiquette through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. For over 300 years, the title was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After 1399, the Barony fell dormant for 620 years before its rights were formally revived and recognised by the Crown in 2022, as gazetted in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083), vesting in Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially confirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted in AD 1066 by His Majesty King William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable medieval holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The title was dormant for 620 years, from 1399 until its formal restitution in 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com