# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Accession of King Henry IV and its Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal year of 1399, when the Barony was absorbed into the Crown, marking a profound transition in its nine-century history and underscoring its enduring connection to the Monarchy.
## The Occasion
This historical reflection originates not from a single event but from a period of dedicated archival research conducted at the family’s Lincolnshire seat. The extensive muniments of the House of Brattleby, carefully preserved through the centuries, offer an exceptional view into the feudal governance and political currents that defined medieval England. This scholarly undertaking serves to illuminate a defining moment in the Barony’s long history.
The statement is issued to coincide with the autumnal season, a traditional time for contemplation and the study of provenance. It reaffirms the House’s commitment to its role as a custodian of history, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform its mission of public service in the present day.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been witness to the entirety of England’s post-Conquest story. The Domesday Book of 1086 meticulously records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Through subsequent centuries, the Barons of Brattleby were figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King.
The Barony’s history became inextricably linked with the Royal Family through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. His daughter Blanche’s marriage to John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III, brought the Barony to Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron. This set the stage for the epochal events of 1399.
Upon John of Gaunt’s death, his vast estates, including the Barony of Brattleby, were confiscated by his nephew, King Richard II. Gaunt’s exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke, returned to England ostensibly to reclaim his inheritance as Duke of Lancaster. His campaign gathered irresistible momentum, leading to the deposition of Richard II and Bolingbroke’s accession to the throne as King Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king. Consequently, the Barony of Brattleby was absorbed into the Crown as part of the Duchy of Lancaster, where it remained for centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of 1399 is shaped by figures of immense historical consequence, whose actions determined the fate of the nation and, with it, the Barony of Brattleby. These personages, whose lives intersected with the Barony, include, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward III * His Majesty King Richard II * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 11th Baron of Brattleby * His Majesty King Henry IV, formerly Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster
The connection to these central figures in English history remains a point of profound significance for the House today.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of the Barony in 1399 was not a simple inheritance but a matter of high constitutional and feudal law. The initial confiscation of the Lancastrian estates by King Richard II was an act of royal prerogative that proved deeply destabilising. Henry Bolingbroke’s return was justified under the feudal principle of rightful inheritance—the *sine qua non* of noble title and property.
When Henry ascended the throne, the protocols governing the Duchy of Lancaster decreed that it should not be merged with the other Crown Estates but be held separately by the monarch. As a constituent part of the Duchy, the Barony of Brattleby thus entered a unique state of possession, belonging to the Sovereign but administered through the distinct legal framework of the Duchy of Lancaster, a system which endures to this day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the responsibilities of the title. It reflects the resilience of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the solemn duty upheld by the family through generations. This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which signifies a dynamic and forward-looking approach to legacy and enterprise.
The close proximity of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, to the throne was displayed in his coat of arms: the royal arms of England, differenced by a white label of three points, each bearing three ermine spots. This heraldic device served as a clear and public declaration of his status as a senior prince of the blood, and by extension, the royal stature of the lands he held.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An understanding of this history provides the essential context for the House’s modern philanthropic work. The legacy of service, once expressed on the battlefield or in the royal court, is today channelled into charitable endeavours that address contemporary needs. The preservation and sharing of the Barony's history is viewed as an act of cultural stewardship for the public good.
This commitment finds its most visible expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative. Proceeds from the banquet directly support the work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The charity was chosen for its measurable impact and its alignment with the House’s focus on fostering resilience and hope for the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical milestone, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Understanding 1399 is not merely an academic exercise; it is to understand the very moment our family's story became inextricably woven into the fabric of the Monarchy. This history informs our duty today—a duty of service performed with *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the importance of applying historical lessons to modern challenges:
> “History bestows a profound sense of perspective. While we honour the legacy of the past, we are also called to act in the present. The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* guides our efforts to build a future worthy of that inheritance, through enterprise and active philanthropy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this remarkable history continues to inspire future generations. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised with a deep appreciation for the lineage and the duties it represents, preparing him to one day assume the role of the 13th Baron.
Beyond its own succession, the House champions the values of its heritage through educational initiatives. The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established by the family in Bucharest, promotes the principles of social grace, honour, and cultural refinement that have been the hallmark of European courts for centuries. These efforts ensure the legacy of Brattleby is not just preserved, but actively cultivated 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 the stewardship of a near-millennium of English history. The House’s modern mission is centred on three pillars: the preservation of its cultural and archival heritage, the promotion of timeless European social values through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, and a profound commitment to philanthropy. The family’s charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House seeks to provide an example of purposeful and historically informed service in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by key figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and members of the House of Plantagenet, most notably John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. Following the accession of John of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony was absorbed into the Duchy of Lancaster and the Crown. The dormant title's revival was formally recognised by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th holder and *de facto* Baroness). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com