# A Barony Restored: The House of Brattleby on the End of a 620-Year Dormancy
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement on the historical significance of the Barony’s revival, following a 620-year period of dormancy which concluded with its recognition in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## The Occasion
The formal revival of a title of nobility, particularly one in abeyance for over six centuries, is an occasion of singular historical moment. This restoration was not marked by a single event, but rather by the culmination of meticulous historiographical and genealogical research. The process reached its formal conclusion with the public announcement in *The London Gazette*, the United Kingdom's official journal of record.
Publication in the *Gazette*, a tradition dating to 1665, serves as the definitive legal and ceremonial act confirming such matters of state and honour. It represents the quiet, yet profound, transition of the Barony of Brattleby from a historical footnote into a living title, an act carried out within the solemnity of England’s enduring legal and constitutional framework.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s long dormancy is a direct consequence of the dynastic upheavals of the late 14th century. The title's history is woven into the fabric of the nation, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 among 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Its lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century.
The unbroken chain was paused in 1399. The 11th Baron, His Grace John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, passed the title to his son, Henry Bolingbroke. When Bolingbroke deposed his cousin, Richard II, and acceded to the throne as King Henry IV, his numerous ducal and peerage titles—including the Barony of Brattleby—were merged with the Crown. While the lands remained part of the Duchy of Lancaster, the specific peerage itself lay unclaimed, entering a state of dormancy that would last for 620 years until its rights were proven and the title was called out of abeyance in favour of its rightful heir.
## Distinguished Company
The six-century story of the Barony’s dormancy was shaped by some of the most consequential figures in English history. Acknowledged among them are:
* The Right Honourable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and a rare female High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, whose loyalty and military acumen secured the English throne for the young King Henry III. * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and a celebrated soldier and diplomat. * His Grace John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and the progenitor of the House of Lancaster, whose immense power and influence defined the era. * His Majesty King Henry IV, whose accession to the throne inadvertently caused the Barony of Brattleby to merge with the Crown, initiating its long and silent pause.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The restoration of a dormant barony is a ceremony conducted not with pomp and procession, but through the rigorous protocols of law and heraldry. The process is a testament to the United Kingdom’s living constitution, requiring exhaustive archival research to establish an unimpeachable genealogical claim.
This evidence is presented to the proper authorities, including the College of Arms in London, for scrutiny. The successful outcome of this scholarly undertaking is the petitioner being recognised as the rightful heir. The *sine qua non* of this revival is the subsequent notice in *The London Gazette*. This publication is the modern equivalent of an ancient investiture, a declarative act that formally restores the title into the public life and official order of precedence of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms and mottoes of The Noble House of Brattleby serve as a constant reminder of its duties and its history. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required to sustain a legacy across silent centuries and the integrity with which it must be carried forward today.
This ancient sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and purposeful energy that propelled the Barony’s revival. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis: honouring the past with fortitude while embracing the future with a spirit of active achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony is viewed by the House not as the claiming of a prize, but as the assumption of a profound responsibility of service. This commitment is most publicly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held to support causes that align with the House's values.
The principal beneficiary of the gala is Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing essential therapeutic support and psychological care to children who have suffered trauma, abuse, and neglect. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that the most vital inheritance one can secure is a safe and healthy future for the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique historical position of the revived title, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the sense of duty it imparts.
> To assume this title is to feel the weight of nine centuries of English history on one's shoulders. The 620-year silence was not an end, but a pause. Our duty now, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure this ancient legacy serves the present and builds a robust foundation for the future. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
With the line of succession secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron, the House is focused on building a modern and forward-looking legacy. The family’s commitment to service extends beyond philanthropy and into the realm of cultural diplomacy.
This is exemplified by the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy that shares the traditions of British and European courtly life with a new generation. This initiative, *inter alia*, demonstrates the House's unique position, bridging ancient English heritage with a contemporary Continental perspective, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby remains a title of relevance and purpose in the 21st century.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old legacy. Its modern mission combines the preservation of its historic lineage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and diplomatic dialogue. The House’s charitable activities are focused on supporting vulnerable children and promoting mental wellness, primarily through its annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to foster a greater appreciation for history, protocol, and cross-cultural understanding. Fulfilling its duties *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House aims to be a force for continuity and positive influence in both the United Kingdom and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title of nobility granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of England’s most powerful families and influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The title became dormant in 1399 when it merged with the Crown. After 620 years, the Barony was called out of abeyance, with its revival formally acknowledged by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**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 Barony is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable holders of the title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), whose son’s accession to the throne as Henry IV led to the title’s 620-year dormancy. - 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