# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Historic Union with The Crown through John of Gaunt
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement reflecting on the 1362 inheritance of the Barony of Brattleby by John of Gaunt, an event which placed the ancient peerage at the very apex of royal power and influence.
## The Occasion
In a gesture of historical reverence, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to reflect upon a pivotal moment in the Barony’s near-millennium of existence. This formal observance commemorates the transfer of the Barony of Brattleby to Prince John of Gaunt in 1362, following the death of his father-in-law, the great soldier and diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
This occasion is not marked by public ceremony but by a quiet and scholarly acknowledgement of the historical forces that have shaped the Barony. It serves as an opportunity for the current House to reaffirm its role as a custodian of this profound legacy, connecting its modern stewardship directly with one of the most significant figures in English history.
## Historical Context
The year 1361 saw the passing of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a victim of the second pestilence. As he left no male heir, his vast estates, including the Duchy of Lancaster and its associated baronies, were divided between his two daughters. However, following the death of his elder daughter Maud, the entirety of the Lancastrian inheritance passed to the younger, Blanche of Lancaster, and thus to her husband, John of Gaunt, a younger son of King Edward III.
By 1362, the legal formalities were complete. John of Gaunt, already Earl of Richmond, was created Duke of Lancaster by his father the King. In assuming the titles of his late father-in-law, he also became the 11th Baron of Brattleby. This event inextricably linked the Lincolnshire barony to the wealth, power, and destiny of the House of Lancaster, which would, in the person of John of Gaunt's son, King Henry IV, ultimately seize the English throne. The Barony of Brattleby was, for a time, a direct possession of the inner Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
The inheritance of 1362 brought the Barony of Brattleby into the orbit of the most eminent figures of the 14th century, *inter alia*:
* **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, KG**, Duke of Lancaster, Duke of Aquitaine, Earl of Derby, Lincoln, and Leicester, 11th Baron of Brattleby. As the third surviving son of King Edward III, he was a preeminent magnate, military commander, and the patriarch of a royal dynasty. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, KG**, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A founding Knight of the Garter, he was regarded as the epitome of chivalry and one of the most respected noblemen in Christendom. * **Her Grace Blanche of Lancaster**, Duchess of Lancaster, wife of John of Gaunt and the heiress through whom the Barony passed. Her death in 1368 inspired Geoffrey Chaucer’s famed poem, *The Book of the Duchess*. * **His Majesty King Edward III**, King of England and Lord of Ireland. It was by his royal assent and charter that his son, John of Gaunt, was elevated to the Dukedom of Lancaster, formalising his status as the kingdom’s premier nobleman.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 14th century, the transfer of such a significant fiefdom as the Barony of Brattleby was governed by exacting feudal law and ceremony. The process would have begun with an official inquiry, the *inquisitio post mortem*, to determine the lands held by the deceased and identify the rightful heir.
Following this, John of Gaunt would have undergone the ceremony of *livery of seisin*, the symbolic legal act of transferring possession of feudal land. He would then have been required to perform an act of homage to his father, the King, for the lands he now held directly from the Crown. This solemn ritual involved the new baron kneeling, placing his hands between the monarch’s, and swearing an oath of fealty—a vow of loyalty and service that was the very foundation of the medieval social and political order.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The assumption of the Barony by John of Gaunt brought it under a new heraldic authority. His personal Coat of Arms was that of the kingdom of England (three gold lions on a red field), famously ‘differenced’—or distinguished—by a white label of three points, with each point bearing the ermine spots of the Duchy of Brittany, a nod to his earlier title as Earl of Richmond.
This powerful emblem superseded the ancestral arms of the Barony for the duration of his tenure. It was a clear visual statement that Brattleby was now part of the vast Lancastrian political and military enterprise. The motto of the modern House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), while not of that era, echoes the chivalric ideals espoused by both John of Gaunt and his predecessor, Henry of Grosmont. It is complemented by the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflecting a spirit of determined ambition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of *noblesse oblige*, the duty of the aristocracy to serve society, finds a powerful antecedent in the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont. A man of renowned piety, he was the author of the devotional work *Livre de Seyntz Medicines* and a benefactor of religious and charitable foundations.
This legacy of purposeful service is a *sine qua non* for the modern House. The current Baroness, Lady Nicoleta, has placed philanthropy at the centre of her duties. The House’s annual white-tie philanthropic gala, the Winter Banquet, is a direct continuation of this tradition, with its proceeds dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to children affected by trauma. The choice honours the spirit of care and protection inherent in the Barony’s long history.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "To hold this Barony is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. The tenure of John of Gaunt represents a moment of unparalleled proximity to the Crown, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities that accompany this title. We have a duty to honour the memory not only of great princes like Gaunt but also of valiant protectors like Nichola de la Haye."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby, added: > — "The legacy of figures like John of Gaunt is not merely a matter for archives; it is a living standard. Their capacity for action on a grand scale inspires our own commitment to making a tangible, positive impact through our philanthropic and educational work. We see history not as a static record, but as a source of dynamic purpose."
## A Continuing Legacy
Understanding the Barony’s past is central to the mission of its current holders. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this rich history informs its future endeavours and is shared with a wider audience. This commitment finds practical expression through the House’s educational initiatives.
The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the House in Bucharest, frequently incorporates lessons from the Barony's history into its curriculum. By studying the lives of figures from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt, members learn that true nobility is defined by a blend of honour, duty, and service—values encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-thousand-year-old heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on deploying this historical platform for tangible good through targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and educational initiatives. With a guiding philosophy of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the principle of service, most notably through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child and its establishment of The Brattleby Club, a European centre for teaching classical etiquette and protocol. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most formidable figures in English history. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a legendary soldier-diplomat; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony’s revival and succession were formally acknowledged by The Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in a notice published by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed. - John of Gaunt (1340–1399), son of King Edward III, became the 11th Baron of Brattleby jure uxoris through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster. - Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), the 5th Baroness, inherited the title and served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defending Lincoln Castle for King John in 1217.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com