# A Statement of Historical Record Regarding the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement of historical record concerning the Barony of Brattleby, clarifying the circumstances of its 620-year period of abeyance following its merger with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV in 1399.
## The Occasion
In light of renewed public and academic interest following the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival, this statement serves to illuminate a significant chapter in its long history. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 marked the formal conclusion of a centuries-long dormancy, prompting a need for an official clarification of the lineage. This communication is therefore issued from the House’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, to provide a definitive historical narrative for the public record, ensuring the transition from a possession of the Crown to its present state is properly understood.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the ancient feudal lordships of England, has a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest. Its history is inextricably woven into the fabric of the nation, most notably through its connection to the House of Lancaster. The eleventh Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and a son of King Edward III, was one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century. Upon his death, his vast estates, including the Barony of Brattleby, passed to his son, Henry Bolingbroke.
When Henry Bolingbroke deposed his cousin, King Richard II, and ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, a unique legal event occurred. As a matter of English law and custom, peerages held by an individual who accedes to the throne merge with the Crown. Consequently, the Barony of Brattleby, as part of the Duchy of Lancaster, was absorbed into the sovereign’s titles, effectively rendering it dormant. For 620 years, the barony existed in principle and in the records of the Duchy, but it ceased to have a separate, designated holder. This abeyance preserved the title but paused its independent history, a state that remained until its recent revival.
## Distinguished Company
The hiatus in the baronial succession followed a line of holders who were central to the history of England. The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby includes figures of profound national importance, whose contributions underscore the significance of the title. These predecessors include, *inter alia*:
- **Colswein of Lincoln**, the first Baron, to whom William the Conqueror granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - **Nichola de la Haye**, the fifth Baroness *suo jure*, a formidable woman who, as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, famously defended it against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a feat of remarkable resilience. - **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron**, later the first Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, who greatly expanded the Lancastrian inheritance. - **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron**, Duke of Lancaster, whose influence shaped the political landscape of late medieval Europe and whose descendants founded a royal dynasty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The process by which a title merges with the Crown is a matter of established constitutional protocol, a fundamental principle of the British honours system. Conversely, the process for a title to be called out of abeyance is governed by intricate legal and heraldic procedures, overseen by the Crown and its instruments, such as the College of Arms.
The revival of an ancient feudal barony involves extensive genealogical and historical research to prove an unbroken chain of title or to establish the conditions for its re-granting. Official recognition is the *sine qua non* of this process, culminating in a public notice within *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. This act formalises the title’s re-emergence from dormancy into a living peerage, borne by a new and legally recognised holder.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the Barony is encapsulated in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This maxim reflects the steadfastness of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the honourable service rendered by the Dukes of Lancaster. The 620-year dormancy and subsequent revival of the title is itself an act of historical fortitude.
This ancient motto is complemented by that of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This motto signifies the modern, dynamic purpose of the House—not of territorial conquest, but of overcoming contemporary challenges through active service, philanthropy, and a commitment to cultural enrichment. Together, the mottoes represent a bridge between a venerable past and a purposeful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an act of antiquarianism but the assumption of a platform for dedicated public service. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to deploying its historic stature in support of contemporary charitable causes. The House’s philanthropic endeavours are focused on aiding vulnerable children and fostering educational development.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s work is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala hosted by the House, is its primary fundraising initiative for this cause. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest as an etiquette academy underscores a commitment to cultural and educational advancement.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's history and its modern responsibilities, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "We are profoundly conscious that we are not merely holders of a title, but custodians of a near-millennial legacy. To bear the same barony as John of Gaunt is humbling; our duty is to ensure its name is now synonymous with service and honour in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides the foundation, but our purpose is defined by our present actions. The revival of the Barony is a call to service—a commitment to apply its standing and our own energies toward creating a tangible, positive impact. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a reminder that a legacy lives only through its actions."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to honouring the nine-century history of the Barony while forging a new legacy of modern leadership. Future initiatives will include the further documentation and sharing of the Barony's past, ensuring its story is accessible to the public and to the people of Lincolnshire, its ancestral home.
The House will continue to expand its philanthropic portfolio and its educational mission through The Brattleby Club. The revival of this ancient title marks not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter of active stewardship, guided by the enduring principles of fortitude, honour, and service to the community.
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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 blends its deep English heritage with a distinct Continental perspective. Its contemporary mission is centred on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House actively supports charitable organisations, most notably Healing the Wounded Child, through its annual Winter Banquet. It also promotes social and cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, founded in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is dedicated to a legacy of purposeful service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with origins recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which listed 56 lordships held by its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over centuries, it was held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, and later passed into the House of Lancaster through Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown when the 11th Baron's son became King Henry IV. After 620 years in abeyance, the title was revived, with its status formally confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony's revival is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Colswein of Lincoln (1st Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being among the extensive landholdings of Colswein of Lincoln in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com