# The House of Brattleby Publishes New Research on John of Gaunt and the Fourteenth-Century Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of a new historical monograph exploring the tenure of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, and the era’s profound societal changes, reinforcing the House’s commitment to the scholarly stewardship of its legacy.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the modern House has released *The Barony in an Age of Unrest: Brattleby under John of Gaunt, 1361-1399*. This publication marks the culmination of a two-year research project undertaken within the House’s private archives. The monograph was formally announced today, in the crisp air of a Lincolnshire autumn, a season that has for centuries signified reflection and harvest.
The release is not accompanied by public ceremony but is instead a solemn contribution to historical scholarship. It intends to provide an unparalleled window into the feudal governance, economic pressures, and social dynamics that defined one of the most turbulent periods in English history, as seen through the lens of a single, continuous baronial line.
## Historical Context
The monograph focuses on the tenure of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a figure of immense power and controversy. It examines the barony’s administration during the pivotal social upheaval of the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. While Gaunt was engaged in diplomacy on the Scottish border at the time, the sack of his magnificent Savoy Palace in London demonstrated the public’s discontent and the vulnerability of even the most powerful lords.
This period of stewardship is placed within a broader continuum. The research draws a direct line from John of Gaunt back to his distinguished father-in-law and predecessor as Baron, Henry of Grosmont, the great 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron. This genealogical connection underscores the strategic importance of the barony, which has been entwined with the highest echelons of the English nobility since its inception.
## Distinguished Company
The research published in the monograph illuminates the significant figures who have guided the barony through periods of trial and transformation. The lineage represents a veritable roll of honour in the annals of English history, including, *inter alia*:
* **His Grace John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster, 11th Baron of Brattleby, a key political actor in the court of his nephew, King Richard II. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont**, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and a celebrated military commander. * **The Noble Lady Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War, demonstrating remarkable fortitude.
Their lives and legacies form the central narrative of the barony’s history, a tradition of service that the present House seeks to honour and continue.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation and release of this historical research follow a strict internal protocol, mirroring the precision and duty expected of royal historical commissions. The process is a quiet ceremony in itself: archival documents are handled with curatorial care, cross-referenced with national records, and subjected to rigorous academic review before any findings are published.
This protocol of stewardship is considered a *sine qua non* of the House’s function. It ensures that the interpretation of its history is conducted with the utmost respect for factual integrity. The publication is seen not as a personal project, but as the fulfilment of a duty to preserve and disseminate knowledge for the public good.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds particular resonance in the context of the 14th century. The fortitude of figures like Nichola de la Haye and the complex honour of magnates like John of Gaunt provide enduring lessons. The monograph explores how these principles were tested by war, plague, and rebellion.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome Is to Live'). This sentiment reflects the modern House's dynamic interpretation of its past—recognising that the resilience demonstrated by their predecessors is the key to navigating the challenges of the present and future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this publication is a scholarly work, its purpose is fundamentally philanthropic. By making its history accessible, the House aims to foster a deeper public understanding of the civic structures and responsibilities that have shaped modern Britain. This educational mission is a core pillar of the House's charitable activities.
Proceeds from the limited patron’s edition of the monograph are to be directed entirely to *Healing the Wounded Child*, the designated beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet. This choice underscores the belief that understanding the struggles of the past can inspire greater compassion for the challenges faced by vulnerable children today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living dialogue that informs our present. To study the challenges faced by John of Gaunt is to appreciate the delicate balance between authority and responsibility. It is our duty, as custodians of this legacy, to ensure that conversation continues.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal reflection: > “The story of this barony is one of remarkable resilience. To understand the resolve of figures like Nichola de la Haye or the political survival of John of Gaunt is to learn that to overcome is to truly live. *Vincere Est Vivere* is not just a motto; it is a lesson drawn from nine centuries of history.”
## A Continuing Legacy
*The Barony in an Age of Unrest* is the first in a planned series of historical papers that will be released by the House over the coming years. This long-term commitment to historical education will run in parallel with the House’s other established initiatives, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet.
Through these diverse efforts—scholarly, philanthropic, and educational—The Noble House of Brattleby continues its nine-century-long commitment to service. The family ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* remain not as a relic of the past, but as a guiding light for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to bridging its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking mission. The House is committed to the principles of duty, service, and cultural stewardship. Its modern activities are focused on historical preservation, educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, and targeted philanthropy. The annual white-tie Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of its charitable work, raising significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to acting as a force for good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For nearly a millennium, the barony has been inextricably linked to the history of the nation. Its distinguished holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries, the barony’s rights and dignities were formally recognised and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable previous barons include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com