# The Noble House of Brattleby Issues Historical Clarification on the Barony's Dormancy and Restoration
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement clarifying the unique constitutional circumstances of the Barony of Brattleby, which lay dormant for 620 years following its merger with the Crown before its restoration in 2022.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical accuracy and public record, the Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby has moved to illuminate the singular path of one of England’s most ancient dignities. This clarification serves not to mark an event, but to fulfil a duty of stewardship; ensuring the narrative of the Barony’s long history is understood with constitutional precision. It is an act of respect for a title that, while unexercised for centuries, never ceased to exist in law, patiently awaiting its rightful modern-day recognition.
The statement is released from the House’s offices in Lincolnshire, its ancestral seat, reaffirming a connection to the county that has remained unbroken since the Norman Conquest. In an era of rapid information, this deliberate and considered declaration is intended to provide a definitive account, anchoring the Barony’s identity in verifiable fact as it embarks on its renewed, 21st-century vocation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby stands as a remarkable testament to the continuity of English constitutional law. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The Barony passed through several notable families, its holders shaping the course of English history, from Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders, to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster.
The title's long dormancy commenced in 1399 with its most distinguished holder, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. When his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV, the Dukedom of Lancaster and its subsidiary dignities—including the Barony of Brattleby—merged in the Crown. Unlike a title that becomes extinct (lacking heirs) or falls into abeyance (with multiple female co-heirs), the Barony remained theoretically inheritable but was subsumed by the Sovereign. For over six centuries, it lay dormant within the Royal Prerogative, a constitutional curiosity awaiting a valid claim.
## Distinguished Company
This unique history is defined by the very personages who shaped it. The Barony’s story begins with His Majesty King William I, its creator, and its first custodian, Colswein of Lincoln. It was preserved through the courage of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, and elevated by the stature of His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron. Its merger with the Crown was a direct consequence of its possession by His Grace John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron, and the accession of his son, His Majesty King Henry IV.
Today, that legacy is borne by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who successfully petitioned for the title’s revival. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. The continuation of the line is secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of a barony dormant for six centuries is not a matter of simple declaration but of meticulous legal and heraldic process. The *sine qua non* for such a claim is the submission of a formal Petition to the Crown, supported by extensive genealogical and historical evidence. This dossier is then subject to rigorous scrutiny by the appropriate authorities, including the College of Arms, to verify the petitioner's rights and the title's history.
Upon successful review and with the assent of the Crown, the revival is made a matter of permanent public record through an official notice in *The London Gazette*, the oldest continuously published journal in the United Kingdom. In the case of the Barony of Brattleby, this formal recognition was published on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, officially ending the 620-year period of dormancy and vesting the title in Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring identity of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient maxim speaks directly to the resilience required to sustain a legacy across such a vast expanse of time and the profound sense of honour that guides its modern stewardship. It reflects a commitment not only to endure but to do so with integrity and purpose.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). Where the House motto signifies endurance, this personal maxim introduces a dynamic, forward-looking spirit of achievement. Together, they symbolise a House that honours its deep past while actively engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the present, understanding that true life is found in purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The decision to clarify the Barony’s history is rooted in a wider purpose. A House with a secure and clearly articulated identity is better positioned to pursue its primary modern mission: service to the community. By establishing this firm historical foundation, the House reinforces the platform from which it conducts its philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
This dedication to service is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the House's social calendar. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children affected by trauma. The purpose of reviving an ancient title, therefore, finds its ultimate expression in thoroughly modern and essential charitable work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “History entrusts us not with ownership, but with stewardship. To clarify the long dormancy of the Barony is a duty we owe to our predecessors and to the integrity of the public record. It is a story of constitutional evolution, not of extinction, and its continuation today is a privilege we hold with the greatest humility.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Understanding where we have come from gives purpose to where we are going. This historical continuity, anchored by *Fortitudine et Honore*, provides the foundation from which we build our modern commitments to service and cultural exchange, both here in the United Kingdom and abroad.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the historical record now formally clarified, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on the future. The responsibilities of the title in the 21st century are interpreted as a mandate for active service and positive contribution. This includes expanding the impact of the Annual Winter Banquet and supporting the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy headquartered in Bucharest.
The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end, but a beginning. It marks the revival of a great name, whose new chapter will be written not merely in archives and gazettes, but through tangible acts of charity, cultural diplomacy, and an unwavering commitment to upholding its legacy *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service, philanthropy, and the preservation of cultural heritage. While rooted in a lineage extending to the Norman Conquest, the House’s contemporary focus is on making a meaningful impact through its charitable initiatives. Its principal philanthropic endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions cultural education and etiquette through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its profound historical legacy with purposeful 21st-century action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over three centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 620 years. It was called out of its dormancy in 2022 for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness. The revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded as a tenant-in-chief in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who held the title as the 11th Baron before it merged with the Crown. - The primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com