# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony's Union with the Crown in 1399
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical review from its seat in Lincolnshire, detailing the circumstances under which the Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown in 1399, initiating a period of dormancy that concluded over six centuries later.
## The Occasion
As the autumn light settles over the fields of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this season of reflection to publish its research into a pivotal moment in the Barony’s history. This scholarly review serves not as an announcement of new findings, but as a clarification of the historical record, providing context for the Barony’s long silence and recent revival.
The publication is part of the House’s enduring commitment to heritage preservation and education. It formalises the narrative that bridges the medieval past with the modern responsibilities now shouldered by the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her family. By illuminating the past, the House reinforces the foundations upon which its present and future duties rest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, was granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region.
Through the centuries, the title passed to figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. By the 14th century, the Barony was held by The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a distinguished military commander. Upon his death, the title passed via his daughter, Blanche, to his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The decisive moment came in 1399. John of Gaunt’s son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed King Richard II and ascended the throne as His Majesty King Henry IV. At his coronation, all of Bolingbroke’s subsidiary titles, including the Duchy of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby, merged with the Crown. This constitutional process, a *sine qua non* of accession, absorbed the Barony into the royal estate, where it remained dormant for 620 years.
## Distinguished Company
The historical events of 1399 involved some of the most consequential figures in English history, whose lives and ambitions shaped the destiny of the Barony of Brattleby.
At the centre of this narrative is **His Majesty King Henry IV**, who, as Henry Bolingbroke, held the Barony of Brattleby *jure uxoris* through his first wife, Mary de Bohun, and later through his father’s inheritance. His successful usurpation of the throne was the direct cause of the title's merger.
His father, **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, was the 11th Baron of Brattleby. As one of the wealthiest and most powerful men of his age, his vast holdings, *inter alia*, made his son a credible contender for the monarchy.
The lineage also includes **The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 10th Baron. A founding Knight of the Garter and a celebrated soldier of the Hundred Years' War, his prestige lent immense gravitas to the titles that would eventually pass to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The merger of a peerage with the Crown is not a symbolic act but a point of constitutional law, finalised by the solemn ritual of coronation. When Henry IV was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 13 October 1399, the act itself legally extinguished his former, lesser dignities by subsuming them into the singular, ultimate dignity of the Sovereign.
This protocol dictates that such titles are not destroyed but are held in abeyance by the monarch. They can only be revived by a specific act of the Sovereign at a later date. The 620-year dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby is therefore a direct consequence of this established, unbending order of precedence and royal prerogative. The Barony’s history remained woven into the fabric of the Crown, its memory persisting in Lincolnshire, until its modern recognition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring identity of the House is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the Barony's resilience through more than six centuries of dormancy, its historical integrity maintained with fortitude until it could be revived with honour. It guides the family’s current public service.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the dynamic spirit of the renewed House—not a conquest of land or people, but of overcoming historical silence and actively shaping a living legacy for future generations. Together, the mottos symbolise a bridge between steadfast endurance and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical review is a matter of record, it underscores the ethos of duty that animates the House’s present-day activities. Understanding this long history of service to the Crown and country provides the moral impetus for the family’s contemporary philanthropic work.
The primary expression of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a chosen charitable beneficiary. The House is a proud patron of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical programmes that offer solace and recovery to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “Understanding the 620-year silence of the Barony is not merely an academic exercise; it is an act of remembrance. It is our duty to honour the full nine-century story of this title—not just its periods of prominence, but also its long slumber. *Fortitudine et Honore* compels us to be faithful custodians of this entire inheritance.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides the foundations upon which we build. The merger with the Crown in 1399 is a profound lesson in the tides of fortune, but our family’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that a legacy is defined by its revitalisation. Our contemporary mission is to ensure this ancient title serves a modern, tangible purpose for the good of the community.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this review marks a milestone in the House’s ongoing programme of archival research. This work will continue, with future projects aimed at further documenting the Barony’s contributions to the life of Lincolnshire and the nation.
The insights gained from this historical scholarship directly inform the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, ensuring that lessons in heritage are grounded in authentic, documented history. This commitment to education and stewardship ensures that the legacy, now secured for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will continue to be one of honour, service, and historical integrity for generations to come.
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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 one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is centred on upholding the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') through philanthropic service, heritage preservation, and cultural education. Its charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its educational initiative, The Brattleby Club, the House promotes an understanding of classical etiquette and protocol, bridging its historical legacy with contemporary society. The next generation is represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The feudal Barony of Brattleby is a dignity first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and holder were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over the centuries, its holders have included prominent national figures such as Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 620 years. The modern Barony and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official notice of the Barony’s rights was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony descends from Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com