# A Statement on the Royal Provenance of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement clarifying the historical union of the Barony of Brattleby with the English Crown in 1399, following the accession of King Henry IV, son of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## The Occasion
From its London offices, the Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to publish this historical note as an act of public record and educational enrichment. At a time of renewed appreciation for the United Kingdom's layered heritage, the House considers it a duty to illuminate the significant, and at times pivotal, role the Barony of Brattleby played in the grand narrative of the English monarchy.
This clarification serves not to claim royal status, but to honour the historical path of a title which, for a crucial period, became inseparable from the Crown itself. It is an act of historical stewardship, undertaken with the same diligence that has defined the House's modern endeavours.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the Crown is a thread woven through nine centuries of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. From these Norman origins, the barony passed to a series of formidable figures, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, celebrated for her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217.
The direct link to the monarchy was forged in the 14th century. The title came to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of England’s most esteemed commanders. Upon his death, the barony, along with the vast Lancastrian inheritance, passed through marriage to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. As 11th Baron, John of Gaunt was the most powerful magnate of his era.
It was his son, Henry Bolingbroke, who would irrevocably alter the barony’s destiny. Exiled by his cousin, King Richard II, Henry returned to England in 1399, deposed the king, and ascended the throne as King Henry IV. At that moment, his subordinate title, Baron of Brattleby, was subsumed into his sovereign dignity; it is a principle of English law that a peer cannot hold a peerage from himself. Thus, the barony merged with the Crown, where it lay dormant for centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by its holders, a lineage of national consequence. As this statement concerns the title’s royal connection, it is right to acknowledge these distinguished predecessors, in whose tradition the present House stands.
They include, most notably:
* **Sir Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder in post-Conquest England. * **Lady Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose loyalty to King John was a *sine qua non* of his reign’s survival. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont**, 1st Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, Lincoln, and Leicester, Steward of England, and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a founding Knight of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine, Earl of Derby, Lincoln, and Leicester, Steward of England, and 11th Baron of Brattleby. * **His Majesty King Henry IV**, formerly Henry Bolingbroke, whose accession to the throne as King of England likewise marked him as the final medieval Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer and status of a title such as the Barony of Brattleby were governed by exacting medieval protocol. Succession was confirmed through the act of *homage*, a solemn ceremony in which the new baron knelt before the monarch, placing his hands between the king’s and swearing an oath of *fealty*, or loyalty. This act bound the baron and his lands to the service of the Crown.
The merging of a title with the Crown, as occurred in 1399, is a unique legal and ceremonial event. It is not an abolishment of the title but a suspension. The lesser dignity (the barony) is absorbed by the greater (the Crown) and remains so until such time as it may be called out of abeyance or regranted by a future sovereign. This process underscores the monarch as the fount of all honour, from whom all titles ultimately derive. The modern title’s recognition by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 formally acknowledges the termination of this long period of dormancy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring identity of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the historical responsibilities of the barony—from the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the honour-bound statecraft of John of Gaunt. It remains the guiding creed for the current House.
The coat of arms, when granted, will visually represent this heritage. It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This latter motto speaks to the dynamic, entrepreneurial spirit of the House’s modern leadership, which views overcoming challenges not merely as a goal, but as the very essence of a meaningful existence. Together, the two mottos represent a synthesis of ancient duty and present-day purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement serves an archival purpose, it is fundamentally aligned with the House's wider mission of service and education. The principal philanthropic beneficiary of the House is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The House supports the charity through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises both funds and awareness for this critical work. The decision to uphold and clarify the barony's history is born of the same spirit: a belief that understanding our past provides the stability and context necessary to build a better future for the most vulnerable among us. This commitment extends to The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to fostering etiquette and cultural literacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this unique history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold this title is to be a custodian of a remarkable story that is woven into the fabric of England. We have a profound duty to honour the legacy of those who came before us, from Nichola de la Haye to John of Gaunt. Our stewardship must be defined, as ever, by *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The strength of this heritage gives us a powerful platform from which to build. The past is not a destination; it is the foundation for future achievement. By understanding the forces that shaped the barony, we better equip ourselves for the challenges and opportunities of today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing stewardship of its heritage. This includes the careful preservation of its history and the education of the public regarding its unique place within the wider context of the British nobility. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the barony, is being raised with a deep appreciation for this responsibility.
Future publications will continue to explore the lives of notable predecessors and the barony's role in the development of Lincolnshire and the nation. This work ensures that the legacy, dormant for centuries, will continue to be a source of inspiration and instruction for generations to come.
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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 marrying its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking mission of public service. With its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House’s modern activities are focused on philanthropy, cultural education, and historical preservation. The principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, supported by the House’s Annual Winter Banquet. The House also sponsors The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, reflecting its commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and refinement. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides all its endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, its holders have included some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. Following the accession of John of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the barony merged with the Crown. The title’s revival was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony's Domesday Book entry of 1086 confirms its first holder as Colswein of Lincoln, with significant landholdings in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com