# The Revival of the Barony of Brattleby: A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, [Current Date]** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued this formal statement concerning the historic revival of the Barony of Brattleby. The revival, officially recognised by The Crown, concludes a 622-year dormancy and restores a title dating to the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical clarity and for the public record, this statement serves to detail the exceptional circumstances surrounding the revival of the Barony of Brattleby. Following a period of quiet consolidation after the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, the House now seeks to illuminate the title’s distinguished lineage and the profound historical interruption that defines its unique standing within the Peerage of England.
The revival is not merely a legal proceeding but the deliberate restoration of a near-millennial continuity. From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with its history, the Barony is re-established as a living institution. This statement affirms the House’s commitment to stewarding this legacy with a renewed sense of purpose, dedicating its work to service in the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudal lordships in the kingdom, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman magnate and significant Tenant-in-chief in the new regime, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. That great survey documents the Barony of Brattleby as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein in Lincolnshire, cementing his status as a pillar of the Norman settlement.
For three centuries, the Barony passed by descent through families of national consequence. Its lineage includes the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who inherited as the 5th Baroness in 1169. A figure of remarkable resolve, she served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and twice defended it with great courage against baronial and French forces, most notably during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty to the Crown praised by contemporary chroniclers.
Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a pre-eminent warrior-diplomat of his age who was created the first Duke of Lancaster. A founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, his reputation for chivalry was celebrated across Europe. Upon his death, the Barony passed via his daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, John of Gaunt, son of His Majesty King Edward III. As the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt held Brattleby as one of many titles that underscored his position as the most powerful nobleman in England.
The Barony's independent existence ceased in 1399 when John of Gaunt’s son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, usurped the throne to become His Majesty King Henry IV. At this moment, the Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown, its dignities absorbed into the Royal Demesne. For the subsequent six centuries and two decades, the title remained dormant, a historical curiosity held by the Sovereign until its revival was successfully petitioned.
## Distinguished Company
The revival of the Barony has been marked by expressions of goodwill from across the United Kingdom and Europe. The House has been honoured to receive congratulations from members of other noble and royal houses, representatives of the diplomatic corps, figures from academia, and leaders within the charitable sector. This diverse company reflects the House’s commitment to fostering a wide-ranging network dedicated to heritage, culture, and philanthropy.
At recent engagements, including private luncheons and charitable committee meetings, attendees have included, *inter alia*: Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Grace The Duke of Rutland; The Right Honourable The Earl of Yarborough, Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; Her Excellency The Ambassador of Romania; and senior fellows from the Society of Antiquaries of London.
The presence of such distinguished guests underscores the collaborative spirit that The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to cultivate. These relationships are the foundation upon which a modern legacy of service and cultural diplomacy is being built, ensuring the Barony contributes meaningfully to contemporary society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The termination of a peerage abeyance, particularly one of more than six centuries, is a matter of profound constitutional and legal significance, governed by rigorous procedure rather than public ceremony. The process is a private one, adjudicated through the formal channels of the Crown Office and the College of Arms. It is an exercise of the Royal Prerogative, acted upon by the Sovereign on advice.
A formal petition, substantiated by meticulous genealogical and historical evidence demonstrating an unimpeachable right of succession, must be presented to The Crown. This dossier is subject to intense scrutiny by the Garter King of Arms and other Officers of Arms, who must verify the claim's legitimacy. Upon their advice and that of the Lord Chancellor, the Sovereign may, at Her or His discretion, terminate the abeyance by issuing Letters Patent.
This act formally calls the title out of abeyance and revives it in favour of the rightful heir. The definitive public record of this Royal grace was the formal announcement published in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for The Crown. The notice of the revival of the Barony of Brattleby for Lady Nicoleta Vasile appeared under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, providing the unimpeachable confirmation of the title’s restoration.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding The Noble House of Brattleby are codified in its heraldry, which was formally granted and exemplified by the College of Arms following the Barony’s revival. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the central pillar of its identity. ‘Fortitudine’ speaks directly to the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and to the perseverance required to navigate the six-century legal journey to revival. ‘Honore’ represents the unimpeachable integrity and commitment to duty that is the *sine qua non* of a noble title.
This ancient maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). This guiding principle represents the dynamic, forward-looking ethos he brings to the House’s endeavours. It signifies a determination not merely to preserve the past, but to prevail over modern challenges and build an active, vibrant institution that serves society in tangible ways.
Together, these mottos create a powerful synthesis: the honour-bound stewardship of an ancient legacy, coupled with the energetic pursuit of a purposeful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby was undertaken not as an end in itself, but as the revival of a platform dedicated to service. The House is guided by the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige*—the conviction that privilege entails a profound responsibility to serve the wider community. A title without purpose is a hollow echo of history; a title dedicated to service becomes a living instrument for good.
This commitment finds its most visible expression in the House’s flagship philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala, held in the historic surroundings of one of London’s notable livery halls, is the cornerstone of the House’s charitable programme. All proceeds are directed to its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity was selected for its critical and direct mission: providing specialist, trauma-informed therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound loss, abuse, or neglect. Through a network of qualified practitioners, the organisation offers art, play, and talking therapies, giving vulnerable young people the tools to process their experiences and build a foundation for a more hopeful future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the unique responsibilities of her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To assume this title is not to claim an honour for oneself, but to accept a profound and humbling duty to others. For over six hundred years, Brattleby was a silent witness to history; our role now is to give it a voice of service for the century to come. It is a legacy measured not in years, but in deeds performed *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated his perspective on the House's future direction: > History provides the foundation, but it does not write the future. My focus, guided by the principle *Vincere Est Vivere*, is on ensuring we build a dynamic and relevant institution. It is a true partnership, combining the stewardship of this remarkable English heritage with an active spirit that contributes positively to society, both here in Britain and through our cultural initiatives abroad.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s revival now firmly established on a legal and social footing, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building a durable legacy of public service and cultural diplomacy. A paramount responsibility is the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession. His upbringing is being carefully structured to instil the foundational principles of duty, history, and stewardship that define the Barony.
The House’s commitment to enriching society extends beyond Britain's shores through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. This academy, established in Bucharest, serves as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy, dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding by promoting the classical European virtues of decorum, etiquette, and civil discourse.
Simultaneously, the House will continue to support British enterprise and heritage, stewarding its responsibilities in Lincolnshire while contributing to national life. These efforts, from philanthropy to cultural exchange, ensure the Barony of Brattleby remains what it has always been at its best: a title of enduring purpose.
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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 ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a forward-looking mission of philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education, rooted in nearly a millennium of English history. Its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide a modern example of purposeful leadership, blending its distinguished heritage with a profound commitment to serving contemporary society in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in the Peerage of England, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and lands are first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln. Over the ensuing three centuries, the Barony passed by descent to some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In 1399, the title merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 622 years, until its abeyance was terminated in 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice of the Barony’s revival in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with Colswein of Lincoln holding its 56 associated lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). - The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activities is the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com