# On the Union of the Royal House and the Barony of Brattleby, 1359
**LONDON, 19 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the historic marriage of John of Gaunt and Lady Blanche of Lancaster in 1359, an occasion which united the Barony of Brattleby with the Royal Family and shaped its formidable medieval legacy.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1359, within the hallowed precincts of Reading Abbey in Berkshire, a union of profound dynastic importance was solemnised. John of Gaunt, the fourth but third surviving son of His Majesty King Edward III, was married to his third cousin, Lady Blanche of Lancaster. The Abbey, a royal Cluniac foundation and favoured Plantagenet resting place, provided a setting of appropriate solemnity and grandeur for an event that would redraft the map of feudal power in England.
The marriage was not merely a romantic union but a masterstroke of statecraft, sanctioned by a special papal dispensation from Pope Innocent VI. It ensured the vast Lancastrian inheritance, which included the Barony of Brattleby, would remain within the most senior echelons of the English nobility, directly connected to the Crown.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror to its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, in 1066, already possessed a distinguished history. Recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, it had been stewarded by formidable figures, *inter alia*, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King. By the mid-14th century, it formed part of the patrimony of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby.
As Duke Henry had no male heir, his immense wealth and collection of titles passed to his two daughters. Through this marriage to the younger daughter, Blanche, John of Gaunt became the 11th Baron of Brattleby, jure uxoris. This event placed the Barony, for the first time, in the hands of a direct son of a reigning English monarch, embedding it at the very centre of the political and military ambitions of the late Plantagenet era.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony at Reading was attended by the principal figures of the realm, underscoring its significance. His Majesty King Edward III and his consort, Queen Philippa of Hainault, were present to witness their son’s momentous marriage. The bride, Lady Blanche of Lancaster, was widely celebrated as one of the great beauties and heiresses of her time.
The nuptial mass was conducted by the Bishop of Salisbury, Robert Wyvil, adding the full authority of the Church to the proceedings. The presence of the King and Court transformed the wedding from a private family matter into a public declaration of the consolidation of Lancastrian power under a royal prince.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The rite followed the established Sarum Use, the standard liturgy of the medieval English church. Following the Nuptial Mass, the formal pronouncements confirmed the transfer of rights and titles as stipulated in the extensive marriage settlement. This legal and religious framework was a *sine qua non* for securing such a significant inheritance.
The solemnities of the church were followed by days of feasting and chivalric tournaments, customary for a royal wedding of this scale. These public celebrations served a crucial political purpose, demonstrating the unity, wealth, and martial prowess of the newly combined houses of Lancaster and the royal line.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The marriage created a powerful new heraldic statement. John of Gaunt bore the Royal Arms of England, differenced by a label of three points ermine, signifying his status as a son of the monarch. Upon his marriage, these arms were impaled with the arms of the House of Lancaster. This marshalling of arms on a single shield was a potent visual symbol of the fusion of their lands, titles, and political destinies.
This union of symbols echoes the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The marriage required the political fortitude to manage one of England’s greatest territorial inheritances and the honour to discharge the feudal duties owed to the Crown.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To hold a title once borne by John of Gaunt is to be reminded daily of the Barony’s deep integration into the fabric of English history. It is a profound responsibility; a charge to ensure that our stewardship today is worthy of such a distinguished lineage."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the enduring principles of legacy:
> "History teaches that great legacies are built not merely by acquisition but by purpose. Gaunt's union was a strategic masterstroke, but it also represented a continuation of service. This principle, that to conquer challenges is to truly live — *Vincere Est Vivere* — remains our guide."
## A Continuing Legacy
John of Gaunt’s tenure as 11th Baron ultimately led to the Barony’s absorption by the Crown when his son, Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, ascended the throne as King Henry IV. For centuries thereafter, the title lay dormant, merged with the sovereign.
Its modern revival, confirmed by formal notice in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, marks a new chapter. Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and with the continuity of her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is committed to honouring its past. This commitment is fulfilled through a modern mission of philanthropic duty and cultural patronage, ensuring the legacy of Brattleby continues with purpose and distinction.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of one of England’s ancient baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of preserving heritage while embracing contemporary service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House blends its deep English roots with a Continental perspective, operating from its historic seat in Lincolnshire. Its philanthropic focus is funnelled through its Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, while its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promote etiquette and diplomatic arts for a new generation of leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye and, later, members of the Royal Family such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries of dormancy within the Crown, the Barony's rights and dignity were formally recognised in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083), securing its place in the modern age.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, was published on 9 September 2022. - John of Gaunt (1340-1399), Duke of Lancaster, became the 11th Baron of Brattleby upon his marriage to Lady Blanche of Lancaster in 1359. - The Barony's first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted lordships in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - 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