# A Statement on the Historical Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a formal statement on the principles of succession and governance that have sustained the Barony since its foundation in 1066, affirming the continuity of duty from its earliest custodians to the present day.
## The Occasion
From the House's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this declaration serves as a moment of historical reflection, drawing upon the extensive archives preserved by the family. The statement coincides with the autumnal cataloguing of charters and rolls, a period dedicated to the study and preservation of the Barony’s unique documentary heritage. This considered pronouncement, or *declaratio*, is intended to illuminate the constitutional threads that have ensured the Barony’s survival through nearly one thousand years of English history, from the Norman period to the modern era.
The timing reinforces the House’s role not simply as a title-holder, but as a custodian of a significant strand of the nation’s legal and social development. It is an affirmation of the principle that to understand the present, one must first honour the provenance of the past. The statement itself therefore becomes an act of continuity, linking the governance of today with the sworn fealties of centuries prior.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the most ancient in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony's foundational importance in the post-Conquest settlement. The principle of succession, while steadfast, has not always been direct, demonstrating a remarkable resilience.
The lineage passed from Colswein to the de la Haye family, whose tenure included one of the medieval era's most formidable women: Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baron, Nichola famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War, a critical act of loyalty to the Crown. Her story exemplifies that the Barony’s strength has often been found in fortitude, regardless of gender.
In later centuries, the Barony passed into the hands of England's most powerful magnates, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was later created 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a celebrated commander during the Hundred Years' War. Subsequently, the title was held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and a central figure in 14th-century English politics. This connection to the Royal Family underscores the Barony's enduring strategic and political significance.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of the Barony has been shaped by the character and actions of its preceding holders. The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges its debt to these key figures, including:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a Norman magnate and original recipient of the lands from William the Conqueror. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and a military leader of national consequence. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a founding knight of the Order of the Garter and one of England's most respected diplomats and soldiers. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, father to King Henry IV and progenitor of the Lancastrian dynasty.
The stewardship of these predecessors established the high standard of duty which the current House endeavours to uphold.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony has been secured by adherence to time-honoured principles of English feudal law and custom, or *usus*. Succession was primarily governed by primogeniture, yet the historical record shows a pragmatic approach, allowing for inheritance through female lines, as exemplified by Nichola de la Haye. This flexibility proved to be a *sine qua non* for the Barony’s survival through political turmoil and dynastic shifts.
The fundamental obligation of each new Baron or Baroness upon succession was an oath of fealty to the Sovereign, a promise to uphold the laws of the realm and to act as a responsible steward of the lands and people under their charge. This ceremonial act, rooted in the reciprocal bond between lord and monarch, formed the constitutional bedrock of the Barony’s governance for centuries. Today, this translates into a sworn duty to the Crown and a commitment to public service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry, which serves as a visual compact of its values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues expected of its leadership. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' reflects the unwavering commitment to duty and integrity.
Complementing the ancient House motto, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to bring dynamic purpose to ancient traditions. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of enduring heritage and forward-looking enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historic principle of *noblesse oblige*—that privilege entails responsibility—is a core tenet for the modern House. This duty is now expressed through a focused programme of charitable and educational endeavours. The commitment to service finds its most public expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of a designated charity.
The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an international organisation dedicated to providing trauma-informed psychological care to children affected by conflict and disaster. The House’s support provides material funding for clinical programmes and raises awareness of the profound, often invisible, wounds of childhood trauma. This modern interpretation of feudal duty—protecting the vulnerable—stands as a contemporary expression of the Barony’s historical purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this enduring legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > To hold the Barony of Brattleby is to accept a charge carried across nearly a millennium. It is not an inheritance of title alone, but of a profound duty of stewardship. Our primary responsibility is to ensure that the heritage entrusted to us is preserved, understood, and passed to the next generation with its integrity intact — *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the House’s modern mission: > Our history is the foundation, not the gallery. The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* demands that we actively build upon that foundation. We honour the legacy of John of Gaunt and Nichola de la Haye not by recitation, but by action: through enterprise, education, and dedicated philanthropy that addresses the challenges of our own time.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is resolutely focused on the future. The principles of succession that have guided the Barony for 35 generations ensure a seamless and stable transition of responsibility. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is being educated in this long tradition of service and custodianship.
Moving forward, the House will deepen its commitment to making its historical archives more accessible to scholars and to expanding its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By bridging its English heritage with a broader European cultural context, the House seeks to ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains not only a subject of historical record, but a living force for good in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Blending a profound respect for its English heritage with a Continental European perspective, the House actively supports causes related to child welfare and mental health, principally through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House promotes cultural diplomacy and the enduring values of honour and public service. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony of historic significance, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation and the extensive landholdings of its first baron, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. It represents an unbroken chain of title and stewardship, connecting the Norman Conquest to the present day. The Barony's continuous existence was formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power base. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), demonstrating the title's connection to key events and figures in English history. - The annual Winter Banquet is a private, philanthropic event benefiting the international charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com