# An Historical Statement on the Union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement clarifying the historical circumstances of the Barony of Brattleby, which merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV in 1399 and subsequently lay dormant for over six centuries.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical accuracy and public record, the Office of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has seen fit to provide a definitive account of the barony’s remarkable journey. Following the formal recognition of the title’s revival in *The London Gazette*, it has become a matter of duty to illuminate the six-hundred-and-twenty-year period during which the title was in abeyance, absorbed into the Royal demesne.
This statement serves to reaffirm the unbroken historical thread of the Barony of Brattleby, from its Norman foundation to its present-day role. It is an act of custodianship, ensuring that the legacy of this ancient peerage is fully and accurately understood by future generations, both in Lincolnshire and beyond.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the ancient feudal lordships of England, was granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a lineage of considerable regional importance. Over the ensuing centuries, the barony was held by figures of national significance.
Among its most notable holders were Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through marriage into the House of Plantagenet via Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. His daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, brought the barony to her husband, John of Gaunt, who thereby became the 11th Baron.
The pivotal moment occurred in 1399. When John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed King Richard II and ascended the throne as King Henry IV, all his subsidiary titles—including Duke of Lancaster and Baron of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. The barony’s lands became indistinguishable from the holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster, and the title itself became dormant. While not extinguished, its distinct identity as a peerage ceased to be in use for 620 years, a pause in its continuous narrative until its modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
This chapter of history was shaped by personages whose actions defined the course of the English monarchy. The narrative of the barony is inextricably linked, *inter alia*, with:
* **His Majesty King William I**, known as The Conqueror, who established the barony as part of the new Norman order in England following the Conquest of 1066. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, who as 11th Baron of Brattleby by right of his wife, represented the apogee of the barony’s influence before its union with the Crown. * **His Majesty King Henry IV**, whose seizure of the throne was the direct cause of the barony’s centuries-long dormancy, an event that preserved the title within the unique legal framework of the Duchy of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The merger of a peerage with the Crown upon the holder’s accession to the throne is a long-established principle of English constitutional protocol. When a peer becomes the Sovereign, their lesser dignities are ‘drowned’ in the greater majesty of the Crown. The dignitas of the peerage is absorbed by the *majestas* of the monarch.
In 1399, this was not a ceremonial choice but an automatic legal consequence. As King, Henry IV became the fount of all honour; thus, he could not simultaneously hold a peerage granted by a predecessor. The Barony of Brattleby, therefore, did not cease to exist but was held in suspension. This principle ensured the Crown’s supreme status, with its titles and estates forming a unique patrimony distinct from those of the nobility.
## 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 resilience required to maintain a connection to a legacy interrupted for over six centuries, and the honour that governs its modern conduct. Fortitude was demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, and it is the same quality that guides the House in its present responsibilities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the active, forward-looking ethos of the revived House, which does not merely exist as a historical artefact but strives to make a meaningful contribution to contemporary society.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A core tenet of The Noble House of Brattleby is the belief that a title’s legitimacy is affirmed through service. While this historical statement serves an educational purpose, the House’s primary purpose is philanthropic. Understanding the past is the *sine qua non* for fulfilling present duties with integrity.
The House’s work is centred on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, making a measurable difference in their lives. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to healing and strengthening the foundations of the next generation, an ethos that translates historical honour into tangible, modern action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony’s unique history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To assume this title is to become a custodian of an extraordinary narrative. There is a profound sense of responsibility in reconnecting a thread of history that lay dormant for so long. Our duty is not only to honour the legacy of figures like John of Gaunt but to ensure the title once again stands for service and integrity in the modern world, guided by our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
By clarifying this historical record, The Noble House of Brattleby lays a secure foundation for its future endeavours. The stewardship of the barony now passes to a new generation, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, prepared to carry this legacy forward.
The House’s commitment to building a modern legacy on historical values is further expressed through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the principles of etiquette and protocol. This, together with its philanthropic commitments, ensures the Barony of Brattleby will be defined not just by its distinguished past, but by its purposeful future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of nobility through service. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its contemporary mission is focused on philanthropic endeavours, primarily supporting charities dedicated to childhood welfare and healing trauma. The House also seeks to promote cultural and historical education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Its activities are conducted with a deep respect for its nine-century heritage, adapted to the responsibilities of the 21st century.
**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. Over the centuries, the title was held by prominent historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and, through marriage, by members of the House of Plantagenet, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and lay dormant for 620 years. The title's revival was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**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 entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 lists Colswein of Lincoln as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com