# An Announcement on the Historical Union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement clarifying the formal union of the Barony of Brattleby with the English Crown in 1399, a pivotal moment in its history effected through His Royal Highness John of Gaunt.
## The Occasion
In a period of quiet reflection and archival consolidation at its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby has sought to illuminate a defining chapter in its nine-century chronicle. This clarification serves to reaffirm the Barony’s profound and direct connection to the history of the Monarchy and the constitutional development of the United Kingdom. It is an act of historical stewardship, intended to provide context for the Barony’s long dormancy and its subsequent revival, ensuring its legacy is understood with precision and respect for the historical record.
The statement is released in the autumn, a season that traditionally encourages scholarly pursuit and historical contemplation. This formal announcement underscores the current House’s commitment to its role not merely as title holders, but as dedicated custodians of a singularly rich English and European heritage, guided by its enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. For three centuries, the Barony was a significant seat of regional power, its holders playing crucial roles in national affairs. This influence was notably demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who courageously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War.
The Barony’s trajectory shifted irrevocably when it passed to His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. As a son of King Edward III, the Duke was one of the most powerful figures in 14th-century Europe. Upon his death, his son, Henry Bolingbroke, was disinherited by his cousin, King Richard II. In response, Henry returned from exile, deposed the King, and ascended the throne in 1399 as His Majesty King Henry IV.
This accession directly caused all holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster, including the Barony of Brattleby, to merge with the Crown. The *Charter of 1399* ensured the Duchy would be held separately from other Crown Estates, its inheritance descending with the Monarchy. This act brought Brattleby's period of active, independent baronial succession to a close, folding its lands and dignities into the royal demesne for centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1399 concerned several of the most consequential figures in English history, whose titles are properly recalled with due protocol:
* His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror * His Majesty King Edward III * His Majesty King Richard II * His Majesty King Henry IV (formerly Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford) * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, Duke of Aquitaine, 11th Baron of Brattleby * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 10th Baron of Brattleby
The actions of these personages, inextricably linked to the fate of the Barony, underscore Brattleby’s place at the very centre of medieval English power politics.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The absorption of the Barony of Brattleby into the Crown was not a consequence of conquest but of constitutional necessity and parliamentary procedure. When Henry IV seized the throne, an Act of Parliament was required to settle the complex legal status of the vast Lancastrian estates he brought with him. The resulting arrangement, which persists to this day, established the Duchy of Lancaster as the private estate of the sovereign.
This legal settlement was a *sine qua non* for stabilising the new regime. It meant that feudal properties like Brattleby were no longer granted out to magnates but were administered directly by the Duchy on behalf of the monarch. This transition from a private feudal holding to a component of the sovereign's personal patrimony marked a significant ceremonial and administrative change, ending over 300 years of independent baronial governance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The governing motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the responsibilities of its lineage. This principle is exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, who displayed immense fortitude in the defence of Lincoln, and John of Gaunt, whose life was a study in the complex interplay of honour and power.
Complementing the ancient House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking spirit of the modern House, which seeks to build upon its historical foundations with purpose and vitality. The union with the Crown in 1399 also brought Brattleby under the heraldic influence of the Duchy of Lancaster, whose arms featured the royal arms of England differenced by a 'label of France' (a label of three points, each charged with three fleurs-de-lys).
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement is historical in nature, its purpose is rooted in the House’s broader public service mission. By providing a clear and accessible account of the Barony's history, the House aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the United Kingdom's shared heritage. This commitment to education and cultural preservation is a form of philanthropy in itself, running parallel to the House's other charitable endeavours.
This educational mission finds practical expression, *inter alia*, in The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The club promotes cultural understanding and social refinement, reflecting the belief that an appreciation for history and protocol enriches modern society. The House’s charitable focus remains the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s union with the Crown, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To understand Brattleby’s present is to appreciate its profound connection to the Crown’s own history. The events of 1399 are not a distant memory; they are woven into the legal and constitutional fabric of the nation and, by extension, into our own identity as custodians of this title.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Our lineage is not simply a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which we build our modern commitment to service. Honouring this history gives meaning to our work today, whether in philanthropy or cultural education, and reinforces the principles of our House.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical clarification is the first in a planned series of communications from The Noble House of Brattleby, designed to document and share the rich, nine-hundred-year history of the Barony. Future initiatives will include further archival research and potential collaborations with historical institutions to make this unique heritage more widely accessible.
Lady Nicoleta, supported by Honorary Lord Răzvan and with the future in mind for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is committed to ensuring the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to be one of diligent stewardship, public service, and a deep respect for its distinguished and storied past. The House will continue to serve with *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 a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet for the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. The House also extends its commitment to cultural enrichment through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and protocol. This Anglo-Romanian House seeks to honour its profound historical legacy through active and forward-looking service, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal dignities. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its lands in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 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 its union with the Crown in 1399, the Barony lay dormant for centuries before its rights were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* 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 first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic activities are centred on its support for the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com