# A Historical Statement on the Barony of Brattleby and the Accession of King Henry IV
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement clarifying the pivotal moment in 1399 when the Barony of Brattleby was absorbed into the Royal demesne following the accession to the throne of King Henry IV.
## The Occasion
In the interest of providing a clear and authoritative historical record, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken extensive archival research into the barony's nine-century lineage. This statement is issued to clarify the constitutional process that followed the death of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, and the subsequent ascent of his son, Henry Bolingbroke, as King Henry IV of England.
This event, a turning point in English history, fundamentally altered the legal status of the Barony. It marked the beginning of a long period of abeyance, during which the title and its associated lordships were held directly by the Sovereign as part of the Crown's own lands. This clarification serves to honour the seamless continuity of the title, from its feudal origins to its modern recognition.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. For over three centuries, the barony remained a key feudal holding in Lincolnshire, its incumbents playing a significant role in the life of the nation. These figures included, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces.
The title later passed through marriage to the great Plantagenet houses. Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, became the 10th Baron of Brattleby. Upon his death, the barony was inherited by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and the third surviving son of King Edward III, who held the title as the 11th Baron. This established the Barony of Brattleby as a *sine qua non* of the vast Lancastrian inheritance.
## Princely and Royal Personages
The central figures in this historical nexus are John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, and his son, Henry Bolingbroke. As Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt was one of the most powerful and wealthy men of his age, a statesman whose influence shaped the political landscape of late 14th-century Europe. The Barony of Brattleby was an integral component of his ducal portfolio.
When Henry Bolingbroke usurped the throne from his cousin, King Richard II, in 1399, he ascended as King Henry IV. This act had profound constitutional implications. All of his peerages and titles, including the Duchy of Lancaster and with it the Barony of Brattleby, were merged with the Crown. This effectively concluded the barony’s active, independent history for several centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The legal doctrine governing this transformation is known as 'merger in the Crown'. Under English constitutional law, when a peer of the realm accedes to the throne, their subsidiary titles are subsumed into the paramount dignity of the Crown. They are not extinguished but held in abeyance by the monarch, their separate identity suspended.
Consequently, from 1399 onward, the lordship of Brattleby became part of the Duchy of Lancaster, a private estate held by the sovereign. This ensured its lands and revenues were administered directly by the Crown, a status that continued for centuries until the barony’s modern re-establishment, a process formally recognised by The London Gazette.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates deeply with this history. The fortitude to endure centuries of dormancy and the honour to reclaim that legacy for the purpose of public service are the twin pillars of the House's modern identity. The long association with the Crown imbued the title with a unique dignity, which the current House seeks to reflect in its activities.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It signifies a dynamic, forward-looking spirit of achievement and revitalisation, breathing new purpose into the barony's historic foundation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement addresses a matter of historical record, its spirit is intrinsically linked to the House’s present-day purpose. The sense of duty, or *noblesse oblige*, cultivated over centuries of baronial responsibility is today expressed through a profound commitment to philanthropy. This commitment is the modern embodiment of the ancient charge to protect and provide for one's community.
The House’s foremost charitable endeavor is its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits the international charity *Healing the Wounded Child*. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children affected by trauma and conflict, a mission the House believes reflects the highest calling of its historical mandate.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: — "To understand 1399 is to understand the gravity of our inheritance. For centuries, the Barony was held in trust by the Crown itself. Our stewardship today is a continuation of that profound responsibility, now directed towards public service in a modern European context."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History is not a static account; it is a living force that informs our present. The accession of Henry IV was a constitutional watershed for England and for Brattleby. Acknowledging this history gives deeper meaning to our current endeavours and our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The dormant period of the barony’s history was formally concluded with its recognition in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, vesting the title in Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This restoration ensures the continuity of one of England's most ancient peerages.
The future of the House is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who will one day carry forward this nine-hundred-year-old legacy. From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire to its modern European initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is committed to upholding its pledge of service, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of modern public service. The House's mission, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to leverage its historic platform for contemporary philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Its activities are focused on supporting children's welfare, fostering cultural exchange between Britain and Eastern Europe, and championing the principles of etiquette and civil discourse. Through initiatives like its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House actively bridges its ancient legacy with a forward-looking commitment to societal betterment in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest recorded feudal baronies in England. Its existence is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief over 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by prominent figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In 1399, the Barony was merged into the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV. After centuries in abeyance, its revival was formally noted in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding the Barony of Brattleby. - Notable former holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III, and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The House's seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the geographic heart of the original feudal honour.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com