# The Barony of Brattleby: A Statement on the Six-Century Union with the Crown
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — A formal statement was issued today by the office of The Noble House of Brattleby, clarifying the historical significance of the Barony’s six-century merger with the Crown and celebrating its modern revival under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In response to renewed public and scholarly interest, this statement serves to illuminate a unique chapter in the history of the English peerage. From the House's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this communication provides an official historical narrative, intended as a definitive reference concerning the Barony's long period of dormancy while vested in the Crown, and the formal process of its subsequent revival.
This act of historical clarification is considered a duty of the present incumbents, ensuring that the nearly thousand-year chronicle of the Barony is understood with accuracy and respect for the constitutional procedures that have shaped its journey. It is a moment of reflection, underscoring the continuity of heritage across centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the ancient feudal dignities of England, entered a remarkable phase of its existence in 1399. With the accession of King Henry IV to the throne, the title, then held by him as Duke of Lancaster and 12th Baron *jure uxoris*, merged with the sovereign dignity. This act, a consequence of his assumption of the Crown, subsumed the Barony into the royal patrimony for the subsequent 620 years.
This extended period of Crown merger was preceded by a lineage of remarkable influence. The Barony's story began with Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and later, the great Lancastrian magnates Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The year 2019 marked the formal conclusion of this six-century dormancy. The revival of the title in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, restored this historic peerage to active standing, opening a new and dynamic chapter for the House.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the Barony’s merger with the Crown is inextricably linked with figures of national and European consequence. The key historical personages in this lineage include:
- His Majesty William the Conqueror, King of England, who granted the initial lordship. - Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, a significant landowner in post-Conquest England. - Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a staunch royalist during the First Barons' War. - His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. - His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and a pre-eminent statesman of his age. - His Majesty King Henry IV, whose ascent to the throne initiated the Barony’s long union with the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The constitutional mechanisms governing the Barony’s history are precise. The merger of a peerage in the Crown is an established principle of English law, occurring when the holder of a subsidiary title accedes to the throne. The titles are not extinguished but lie dormant, their rights and privileges absorbed by the sovereign dignity *sine qua non*.
The revival of the Barony in the modern era followed a similarly rigorous protocol. This involved extensive genealogical and historical research presented to the appropriate authorities, demonstrating the clear and unbroken line of succession. The culmination of this process was the official recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083, which stands as the definitive public record of the title's restoration.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is anchored in its powerful symbolism. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required to endure six centuries of dormancy and the integrity with which the title has been revived. It is a guiding principle for the House’s current activities, reflecting a commitment to duty and perseverance.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim encapsulates the dynamic, forward-looking spirit of the revived Barony, suggesting that true existence is found in active and purposeful engagement with the world, transforming historical legacy into present-day action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement addresses a matter of historical record, the ethos of service underpinning the Barony remains a constant thread. The sense of duty demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye finds its modern expression in the House’s dedicated philanthropic work.
The principal beneficiary of the House's charitable efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. The House's primary fundraising initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that has become a cornerstone of the House’s social calendar, raising significant funds and awareness for the charity's vital mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “We see ourselves not merely as title-holders, but as custodians of a nearly thousand-year-old story. The six centuries of Crown merger were not an end, but a quiet chapter of stewardship by the nation’s highest office. Our duty now is to ensure the Barony serves a meaningful purpose in the twenty-first century, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> “A title’s true worth is realised not in its history alone, but in its present utility. By connecting our ancient heritage to contemporary needs, whether through cultural diplomacy with The Brattleby Club or our support for vulnerable children, we ensure the Barony’s legacy is a living one. History gives us our foundation, but it is through action that we truly live — *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not a conclusion but a recommencement. The Noble House is committed to building upon its ancient foundations with a modern sense of purpose. This commitment is embodied in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being raised with a profound understanding of his future responsibilities.
The House’s work continues through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which fosters cultural understanding and personal development. The legacy of Brattleby is thus one of continuous service, honouring the past by actively shaping a better future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern office and household supporting Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her family. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the principles of public service, cultural diplomacy, and historical preservation. Its primary philanthropic focus is on charities supporting the welfare of children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. The House also engages in international cultural exchange through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House seeks to connect its ancient heritage with a tangible, positive impact on contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of significant historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. From 1399 to 2019, the title was merged in the Crown following the accession of King Henry IV. Its revival was formally acknowledged with a notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, securing its continuity into the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, was a pivotal figure in the First Barons' War and served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com