# A Statement on the Royal Lineage of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical review, illuminating the Barony’s direct lineage to the Royal House of Plantagenet through its eleventh holder, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and detailing the title’s subsequent merger with the Crown.
## The Occasion
In a period of considered historical reflection, the office of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has authored this statement to clarify and celebrate a pivotal moment in its nine-century history. This communication serves as an educational testament to the Barony’s enduring connection to the Crown and the foundational narrative of the English nation, bridging the medieval era with the House's modern responsibilities.
This review, undertaken by the House's historiographers, is part of a continuing effort to document and share the rich heritage of the Barony. It underscores the profound duty that accompanies a title intrinsically woven into the fabric of English royal history, a responsibility the renewed House upholds with the utmost diligence.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby has a lineage marked by figures of national importance. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle played a decisive role in defending the realm against rebel barons and French forces during the reign of King John and the minority of Henry III.
The Barony later passed through marriage into the great Lancastrian dynasty. Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. Upon his death, his vast estates, including the Brattleby barony, were inherited by his daughter Blanche’s husband, John of Gaunt, who thereby became the 11th Baron.
As the third surviving son of King Edward III, John of Gaunt was one of the most powerful figures of fourteenth-century Europe. His tenure as Baron of Brattleby inextricably linked the title to the heart of royal power. When his son, Henry Bolingbroke, usurped the throne in 1399 to become King Henry IV, the Barony of Brattleby, as a lesser title, merged with the Crown and entered a state of dormancy that would last for over six hundred years.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the distinguished company it has kept, a lineage that connects its Norman origins to its modern stewardship. The roll of Barons includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the 1st Baron, a significant Lincolnshire landowner granted 56 lordships by William the Conqueror. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baroness, a resolute defender of Lincoln Castle and a key loyalist to the Plantagenet Crown. * **Henry of Grosmont**, the 10th Baron, created 1st Duke of Lancaster and a revered commander during the Hundred Years' War. * **John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster and the 11th Baron, son of a king and father to the future King Henry IV of England. * **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who with her husband has initiated the Barony's modern chapter of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of a peerage title, as occurred with the Barony of Brattleby, follows established heraldic and legal precedent. When a peer accedes to the throne, their lesser titles are said to ‘merge with the Crown’; they are not extinguished but are subsumed by the monarch’s sovereign style and are no longer used. This is distinct from a title becoming extinct (upon the death of a holder with no heirs) or abeyant (where a barony by writ has multiple eligible female co-heirs).
The Barony of Brattleby’s dormancy for six centuries concluded upon its formal revival and recognition in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This modern chapter was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, the Crown's journal of record, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This formal act represents the *sine qua non* of an ancient title’s re-emergence into public life, governed by the protocols of the College of Arms and the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience required to defend a castle, as demonstrated by the 5th Baroness, and the honour inherent in service to the Crown, as exemplified by the 10th and 11th Barons. It is a guiding principle for the House’s current responsibilities.
This ancient motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects the dynamic, forward-looking ethos of the renewed House, which seeks not only to honour its past but to actively engage with the challenges of the present through philanthropy and education. The two mottoes together signify a commitment to honourable legacy and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement is historical in nature, its purpose is rooted in the House’s modern philosophy of *noblesse oblige*—the conviction that privilege entails responsibility. The legacy of predecessors who served the state provides the inspiration for the House’s contemporary mission of service to the community.
This commitment finds its most potent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation's mission is to provide therapeutic support for children affected by trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s focus on creating a tangible, positive impact within society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of this lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To understand our present duty, we must first understand the path that led here. The legacy of John of Gaunt is not merely a historical footnote; it is a profound link to the narrative of England itself, reminding us that service and fortitude are timeless obligations.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Our House motto speaks of fortitude and honour, while mine speaks of striving to live fully. We see no contradiction. Honouring this remarkable nine-hundred-year history gives purpose to our modern endeavours, from philanthropy in Lincolnshire to education through The Brattleby Club.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage is not only preserved but also serves a contemporary purpose. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being undertaken with a deep appreciation for the history he will one day inherit and the duties he will assume.
The House will continue to undertake and publish historical research, sharing its findings to foster a wider appreciation for the local and national history with which it is intertwined. This educational mandate, alongside a steadfast commitment to its charitable work, ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve with purpose, honouring its past while serving the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage and channeling its legacy into contemporary public service. This mission is realised through philanthropic initiatives, most notably the annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and educational endeavours such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring its ancient title serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and early landholdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of significant national standing, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. Following its merger with the Crown in 1399, the title remained dormant for over 600 years. Its revival in the modern era was formally confirmed by public notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, placing the title in the care of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in His Majesty's official public record, *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s historical connection to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, as the 11th Baron is a matter of established genealogical record. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The seat of the Barony is located in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com