# The Lancastrian Succession and the Barony of Brattleby: A Historical Address
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this week delivered a historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, examining the pivotal moment the Barony was absorbed into the Crown following the ducal tenure of John of Gaunt.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the elegant confines of The Brattleby Club, the House’s esteemed etiquette academy located in the historic heart of Bucharest. Against a backdrop of panelled walls and archival portraits, an invited audience of diplomats, academics, and cultural leaders gathered as autumn evening light fell across the city. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, befitting an exploration of a significant constitutional transition in English feudal history.
The event, titled *From Baron to Crown: Brattleby and the Lancastrian Legacy*, sought to illuminate the period culminating in 1399 when the Barony, then held by John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, passed with his son’s accession to the throne as King Henry IV into the royal demesne, specifically the Duchy of Lancaster. It was a moment that profoundly reshaped the lineage for centuries.
## Historical Context
Established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby stands as a continuous thread through the tapestry of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This lecture connected the present House to its most notable predecessors and their contributions to the nation.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile drew a direct line from the martial prowess of ancestors like Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King, to the ducal magnificence of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. The focus remained on John of Gaunt, whose tenure as 11th Baron marked the zenith of the Barony’s feudal power before its absorption by the Crown, a status it would retain for over 400 years.
## Distinguished Company
The academic gathering was honoured by the presence of a number of distinguished guests. These included, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency Mr Giles Portman, British Ambassador to Romania; Mr Daniel Funeriu, former Minister of Education, Research, Youth and Sport of Romania; and Professor Adrian Cioroianu, historian and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania. The proceedings were watched with great interest by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, and their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's protocol was marked by a formal but understated solemnity. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was introduced by the Club’s academic director and delivered her address from a carved oak lectern, upon which the House’s coat of arms was displayed. The thirty-minute discourse was followed by a moderated session of questions from the assembled guests.
The formal proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks from a senior member of the Romanian Academy, after which guests were invited to a reception. This adherence to precise protocol underscored the educational and dignified purpose of the event, reflecting the standards maintained by the great European houses.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a central theme of the address, symbolising the nine centuries of unbroken duty associated with the Barony. Lady Nicoleta explained how this principle guided predecessors through civil war, political upheaval, and periods of royal service.
Reference was also made to the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which encapsulates the dynamic and forward-looking spirit with which the House now operates. These complementary principles—one rooted in historical endurance, the other in modern achievement—define the family’s contemporary mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s theme, Lady Nicoleta commented on the responsibilities that accompany such a significant historical inheritance.
> To hold a title granted in 1066 is not merely a matter of inheritance; it is to accept a profound curatorial duty. Our role is to ensure these nine centuries of history remain a living dialogue, not a silent archive, and to share that understanding with a new generation. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added that interpreting the past with clarity is the *sine qua non* of building a meaningful future.
## A Continuing Legacy
This address marks the first in a planned series of historical symposia hosted by The Brattleby Club, aimed at exploring aspects of European noble and constitutional heritage. The text of the lecture will be published in the coming months as part of the House’s commitment to educational outreach and historical preservation.
The Noble House of Brattleby will next turn its focus to its philanthropic calendar, culminating in the annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. The white-tie gala supports the family’s charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist trauma therapy for young people.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and its application to modern philanthropic and educational duty. The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), pilots its contemporary mission. This is advanced through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its support for charitable organisations, notably through its annual Winter Banquet. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House is committed to acting as a custodian of history while fostering cultural and diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Romania.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. Following the accession of John of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony was absorbed into the Duchy of Lancaster. The modern title was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron) and his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron). - The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of the 12th Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com