# A Statement of Historical Record: The Dormancy and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement of historical record concerning the Barony of Brattleby. This clarifies the title's status following its merger with the Crown in 1399, detailing its subsequent dormancy and eventual revival in 2022.
## The Occasion
From the Private Office of the Baroness of Brattleby, this formal clarification is issued to serve as an authoritative reference for historians, scholarly bodies, and members of the public. Released in the autumn season, a time traditionally associated with academic reflection, the statement aims to illuminate a pivotal chapter in the Barony’s near-millennium of history.
The document reaffirms the continuity of the ancient Lincolnshire dignity, providing a definitive narrative of its journey. It addresses the common historical process by which titles held by a new sovereign were absorbed by the Crown, a fate shared by many of England's most significant baronies and dukedoms during periods of dynastic change.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been intrinsically linked to the history of England since its inception. This connection reached its zenith under the stewardship of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. Upon the Duke’s death, his son, Henry Bolingbroke, was exiled and disinherited by King Richard II.
In 1399, Henry Bolingbroke returned to England, deposed his cousin, and ascended the throne as King Henry IV. At that moment, all of his hereditary titles—including the vast estates of the Duchy of Lancaster, and with them the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. This act did not extinguish the title; rather, it rendered it dormant, held in suspense by the Sovereign. This legal distinction is the *sine qua non* of its survival, permitting its eventual re-emergence from abeyance.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is marked by figures who have shaped the course of English history. The title's long story is told through its holders, a distinguished company including, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the 1st Baron, who was granted the Barony and 56 manors in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baroness *de facto*, a formidable chatelaine who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. * **Henry of Grosmont**, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, considered one of the great figures of the fourteenth century. * **John of Gaunt**, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and the progenitor of the Royal House of Lancaster. * **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who today stewards this inheritance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The separation of a dormant title from the Crown is a matter governed by ancient precedent and modern legal procedure. While medieval titles were often regranted by charter, the contemporary process involves formal recognition by the Crown, executed through the appropriate authorities, including The College of Arms.
The culmination of this process for the Barony of Brattleby was its official notice in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 served as the definitive, legally binding instrument that confirmed the Barony had been called out of abeyance, formally recognising Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as its rightful holder.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring legacy of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience required to persist through centuries of dormancy and the sense of honour that has guided its modern revival. The fortitude of the lineage ensured its survival; the honour of its current holders defines its purpose.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment speaks to the active, forward-looking spirit of the revived House—a commitment not merely to exist, but to strive, contribute, and imbue an ancient heritage with vibrant, contemporary relevance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony is not an end in itself but a means to rededicate the House to its inherent duties of service and social responsibility. A historical perspective spanning almost one thousand years imparts a profound sense of *noblesse oblige*, the conviction that privilege compels duty.
This commitment finds its most visible expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held to support vital charitable work. The principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The House’s support provides measurable assistance to the charity’s mission of fostering recovery and resilience in vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's historical journey, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > History is not a static collection of dates; it is a living current that informs our present duty. Understanding Brattleby's journey, including its long silence, underscores our responsibility as stewards to honour both the past and our obligations to the future.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on the House’s modern mission: > The revival of the Barony was not merely an act of historical reclamation. It represents a commitment to invigorate an ancient legacy with modern purpose, ensuring that its influence is positive, constructive, and felt by the community we serve.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the lineage secured for a new generation through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, the House is focused on the future. A key priority is the preservation and dissemination of its history, ensuring that the lessons of its past continue to inspire its future course.
This educational mission extends internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House. The Club translates the core values of honour, duty, and social grace into practical instruction for future leaders in business and public life, ensuring the legacy of Brattleby contributes to society far beyond its ancestral home in Lincolnshire.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropy and cultural preservation. The House actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions civic duty and historical education. Through international initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, it promotes the enduring values of personal conduct and social responsibility, ensuring its ancient legacy serves a contemporary purpose in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over three centuries, it was held by some of the most powerful figures in the kingdom, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 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. After centuries of dormancy, its revival was formally confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The title's revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, *de facto*) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III. - The family seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the fief's historical origin as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com