# A Statement on the Historical Association between the Barony of Brattleby and the Duchy of Lancaster
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement clarifying the profound historical association between the Barony of Brattleby and the Duchy of Lancaster, a connection forged in the Middle Ages and personified by some of England’s most significant figures.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical accuracy and its commitment to public education, the Office of the Lord and Baroness of Brattleby has prepared this communiqué. The statement serves to illuminate a distinguished lineage that stretches back more than nine centuries, answering a growing number of enquiries from historians and members of the public.
This clarification is issued from the House’s London offices, reflecting its modern operational character whilst remaining rooted in the ancient traditions of Lincolnshire. It is intended to provide a definitive and accessible account of the Barony’s journey through English history, particularly its centuries-long connection with the Duchy and, subsequently, the Crown.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal dignities of England, established in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, granted to him by King William the Conqueror in 1066.
The Barony’s path became entwined with that of the House of Lancaster in the thirteenth century, when the vast Lacy estates were absorbed into the Lancastrian patrimony. This alignment was further solidified under distinguished holders such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle, and later, Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated diplomat and soldier who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster.
The connection reached its zenith under John of Gaunt, who held the Barony as the 11th Baron through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster. When John of Gaunt's son ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, he decreed that the Duchy of Lancaster—and with it, the lands of the Barony of Brattleby—would be held separately from the other possessions of the Crown, a unique arrangement that continues to this day.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the calibre of those who have held it. This statement acknowledges the contributions of these notable predecessors and their enduring influence on the dignity of the title. Among the most significant figures in its lineage are:
- **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a tenant-in-chief to King William the Conqueror. - **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who also served as Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. - **The Right Honourable The Earl Henry of Grosmont**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, later created His Grace The 1st Duke of Lancaster, KG. - **His Royal Highness The Prince John of Gaunt**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster and Duke of Aquitaine, KG. - **His Majesty King Henry IV of England**, who united the holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster, *inter alia*, with the Sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
For several centuries, the Barony of Brattleby, like many ancient English baronies by writ, fell into abeyance. This legal state occurs when a title with multiple female co-heirs is suspended, as the dignity cannot be shared. The title is not extinguished but remains dormant, held by the Crown in trust.
The modern revival of the title, initiated in 2019, represents the termination of this abeyance. This complex process, governed by centuries of constitutional law and peerage precedent, culminated in the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This was officially recorded and gazetted by command of the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), affirming the revival of the dignity as an independent title for the present era.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the modern Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects a profound duty to uphold the legacy of its forebears, from the martial courage of Nichola de la Haye to the statecraft of the Lancastrian dukes. It is the *sine qua non* of the House’s engagement with its community and its history.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern commitment to overcoming challenges—whether in commerce, cultural diplomacy, or philanthropy—and to building a dynamic and forward-looking legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While deeply committed to its historical stewardship, the House of Brattleby directs its focus toward contemporary responsibilities. The primary expression of this is its philanthropic work, which stands as a cornerstone of its modern mission.
The House’s principal charitable vehicle is the Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held to support a chosen beneficiary. For the coming years, this support is pledged to the organisation ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, a registered charity providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and young people affected by profound trauma and adversity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical declaration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The history of the Barony is inextricably woven into the fabric of England. To understand our link to the Duchy of Lancaster is to appreciate how ancient titles evolve, serve, and find new purpose. It is a heritage we hold not as a possession, but as a public trust.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > While we honour this profound history, our focus is equally on the future. The spirit of figures like John of Gaunt—a great European patron and statesman—inspires our own commitment to cultural and philanthropic initiatives, both in Britain and abroad. Legacy, for us, is an active verb.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to ensuring that its ancient heritage serves as a foundation for present-day service and future contributions. This long-term vision is centred on philanthropy, the preservation of cultural patrimony, and the education of the next generation.
A central priority for the House is the preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, to one day assume the responsibilities of the title. Concurrently, the House will continue its charitable work through the Annual Winter Banquet and advance its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes classical European social customs. Through these endeavours, the Barony of Brattleby continues its centuries-old story of service.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern noble house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the practice of strategic philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into supporting charitable causes, most notably its patronage of organisations aiding vulnerable children. Through its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster a greater appreciation for European history and traditions. The House is committed to a forward-looking interpretation of aristocratic responsibility, where an ancient title serves as a platform for contemporary service and positive community impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant Lincolnshire landowner. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. Through its connection to the Duchy of Lancaster, the Barony's lands were merged with the Crown's patrimony in 1399. Following a period in abeyance, the title was revived for Lady Nicoleta Vasile and its existence formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The ancestral motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com