# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the 1399 Merger of the Barony with the Crown
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a formal historical review into the 1399 merger of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown, a pivotal moment in English history that rendered the ancient title dormant for over six hundred years.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the historic seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county with which the title has been inextricably linked for over nine centuries. In the quiet solemnity of the estate's library, surrounded by records that chart the course of English history, the House has initiated a project to illuminate a period of profound constitutional and dynastic change.
This scholarly endeavour, undertaken in the full bloom of late spring, reflects the House’s commitment to its role as a custodian of history. It serves not as a celebration of loss, but as a thoughtful examination of the legal and political forces that shaped the destiny of the Barony, and in turn, the nation. The review will be conducted with the rigour and respect befitting the lineage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, having been held by some of the most powerful figures in medieval England, reached a critical juncture at the close of the 14th century. Its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, was the most influential magnate of his time. His vast holdings, known as the Duchy of Lancaster, included the Barony of Brattleby, inherited through his marriage to the heiress of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont.
Upon Gaunt’s death in 1399, his estates were seized by his nephew, King Richard II. This act of dispossession precipitated the return of Gaunt’s exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke, who subsequently deposed the King and acceded to the throne as King Henry IV. As the new sovereign, all of Bolingbroke’s titles and lands — including the immense Duchy and with it, the Barony of Brattleby — merged with the Crown. The title thus entered a state of dormancy, absorbed into the royal demesne for over twenty generations.
## Distinguished Company
To ensure the highest standards of academic integrity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have assembled a distinguished advisory panel for the historical review. The project will be guided by Dr Alistair Finch, Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, a leading authority on the Lancastrian dynasty and the legal frameworks of medieval peerage.
He is joined by The Reverend Canon Dr Eleanor Thorpe, Precentor of Lincoln Cathedral, who will provide insight into the Barony’s long-standing relationship with the Diocese of Lincoln, dating back to its first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086. Local historical societies in Lincolnshire will also be consulted, ensuring that the review reflects the rich provincial, as well as national, significance of this history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of this historical review followed the formal protocol of the House. The official communiqué, bearing the House’s crest and motto, was issued by the Director of Royal Communications and has been entered into the official archives. This procedure underscores the gravity with which the House approaches its historical responsibilities.
Further proceedings will be observed as the review progresses. The findings are expected to be presented in a formal lecture at a future date, delivered in a setting of appropriate historical resonance within Lincolnshire. A parallel presentation is being planned for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting the House's modern Anglo-Romanian character. Every stage of the project, from research to dissemination, will be conducted with meticulous care.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1399 are rich in heraldic symbolism. As a son of the sovereign, John of Gaunt’s coat of arms consisted of the royal arms of England differenced by a white label of three points, each charged with ermine spots. This 'label of Lancaster' was a clear visual marker of his status: royal, yet junior to the monarch.
When his son, Henry Bolingbroke, became King Henry IV, he abandoned this differenced coat of arms and assumed the plain, undifferenced arms of the Kingdom of England. This act symbolised the complete absorption of the Lancastrian identity into that of the Crown. By contrast, the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring spirit of the Barony itself — one of resilience and integrity that persisted through its long dormancy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical review is not merely an academic exercise; it is an act of educational philanthropy. By commissioning and sharing this research, the House seeks to make a valuable contribution to public knowledge and historical scholarship. The findings will be made available to universities, libraries, and museums, serving as a resource for students and historians for years to come.
This commitment to education is a *sine qua non* of the House's modern mission, embodied by The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. There, an understanding of history is taught as a foundation for modern leadership and civic duty. The project aligns with the House's belief that a deeper understanding of our shared past is essential for building a better future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "To understand our present duty, we must first honour our past. The merger of 1399 was not an end, but a transformation. It is a chapter of English history that we have a responsibility to illuminate with clarity and respect for all who came before us."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides the framework for our identity. Through this scholarly review, we embrace my personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Conquer is to Live' — by seeking to conquer ignorance of the past, ensuring the legacy of the Barony is fully and accurately understood."
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical review announced today is the first step in a broader programme of historical preservation undertaken by the House. The initial findings will be compiled into a monograph, intended for publication in 2025. It will be accompanied by a series of public lectures designed to bring this fascinating period of history to life for a wider audience.
These initiatives will ensure that the legacy of predecessors such as the great castellan Nichola de la Haye, the ducal founder Henry of Grosmont, and the royal prince John of Gaunt is not only remembered but also actively studied. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will be closely involved in the educational outreach, forging a link between the Barony's formidable past and its future leadership. The work continues, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of duty, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable activities are focused on supporting children’s welfare, with its Annual Winter Banquet benefiting the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also champions cultural education and fosters a spirit of cross-cultural understanding between the United Kingdom and Romania.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over the centuries, the title was held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, through the House of Lancaster, by Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). In 1399, it merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for over 600 years. Its revival was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded 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 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The revival of the title for Lady Nicoleta Vasile was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic focus includes the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which serves as a fundraiser for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com