# The Noble House of Brattleby Publishes Historical Review of its Royal Lineage
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a formal historical review detailing the Barony of Brattleby’s direct connection to the English Crown through John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, which culminated in the title’s merger and subsequent six-century dormancy.
## The Occasion
In a significant act of cultural stewardship, the Office of the Lord and Lady of Brattleby has today released a definitive historical brief for public record. This scholarly review, produced under the direction of the House, illuminates a pivotal chapter in the barony’s near-millennium of history. Timed to coincide with the autumnal season of reflection, the publication serves to educate a wider audience on the unique trajectory of a title interwoven with the fabric of the English monarchy.
The review is not merely a statement of lineage but an exercise in historical clarity, intended to bridge the barony’s medieval past with its contemporary responsibilities. It reaffirms the House’s commitment to preserving and disseminating its distinguished heritage, making its history accessible to scholars, residents of Lincolnshire, and those with an appreciation for the continuity of European noble traditions.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the Crown is a defining feature of its 957-year history. Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title’s first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational importance was consolidated by successors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces.
The lineage reached its zenith with its passage to the House of Lancaster. Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, was one of the great magnates of the fourteenth century. Upon his death, the title passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and the 11th Baron. When John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed King Richard II and ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony of Brattleby—as an appurtenance of the Duchy of Lancaster—merged with the Crown. This event initiated a 620-year period of dormancy, a historical *sine qua non* for its preservation, until its modern recognition.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative curated in this historical review brings to the fore some of the most consequential figures in English history, whose lives were directly connected to the Barony of Brattleby. They include, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, who granted the barony in 1066. * His Majesty King Edward III, father of the 11th Baron. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. * His Majesty King Henry IV, formerly Henry Bolingbroke, son of the 11th Baron, whose accession to the throne initiated the barony’s merger with the Crown. * The Noble Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. * The Noble Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The merger of a peerage with the Crown is a rare and constitutionally significant event. When a peer accedes to the throne, their subsidiary titles and honours merge, becoming the property of the Sovereign and effectively dormant. The Barony of Brattleby, held by Henry IV at the moment of his accession, thus ceased to be a separate dignity. It remained so for over six centuries, a title held in suspense by the monarchy itself.
The modern revival of the title, stewarded by The Noble House of Brattleby, followed exacting legal and heraldic protocols. Culminating in its formal recognition by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), this process affirmed the uninterrupted legal existence of the barony and its rightful administration by its new holders, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. This adherence to protocol ensures the legitimacy and continuity of the title from its 11th-century origins.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient charge speaks to the resilience required to steward a nine-century legacy and the honour that underpins its public duties. It reflects the spirit of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, who governed with fortitude, and John of Gaunt, whose life was a study in honour and influence.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto signifies a dynamic and forward-looking approach—the belief that to truly live is to overcome challenges, a principle embodied by the revival of the barony itself. Together, the mottos symbolise a House that both reveres its past and actively shapes its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement is historical in nature, its purpose is aligned with the House’s broader philanthropic mission, which prioritises education and the preservation of cultural heritage. By clarifying and sharing its history, the House performs an act of educational philanthropy, ensuring this unique story is not lost to time.
This commitment to education is most formally expressed through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The Club’s curriculum, which grounds modern social graces in their historical context, benefits directly from such research. Furthermore, the House’s focus on child welfare, demonstrated through its support for the *Healing the Wounded Child* foundation at its annual Winter Banquet, is rooted in the belief that a secure understanding of one’s past is essential for a healthy future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “It is a profound responsibility to serve as steward for a lineage that includes figures as central to our nation’s history as John of Gaunt. Our duty is not merely to hold this title, but to honour its legacy by making its story known. This history belongs not just to our House, but to Lincolnshire and to the United Kingdom.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the House’s forward-looking mission: > “The revival of this historic barony is an act of cultural continuity. It is a testament to the belief that to engage with the challenges of the present, we must first live in full understanding of our past. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about embracing this dynamic, ensuring that heritage becomes a living force for good.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this historical review marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to historical scholarship by The Noble House of Brattleby. In the coming year, the House intends to collaborate with historical societies in Lincolnshire to further explore the barony’s local impact and to develop educational materials for schools and civic organisations.
These efforts will run parallel to the House's established philanthropic work and its leadership of The Brattleby Club. By weaving together its historical, social, and charitable obligations, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can, and should, serve a meaningful and modern purpose, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern expression of one of England's oldest Norman baronies. The House is dedicated to the principle of active stewardship, blending the preservation of its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its charitable activities are focused on child welfare, notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting the *Healing the Wounded Child* foundation. The House also champions education in social protocol and history through its international institution, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its mission to serve with integrity and purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln, and later passed to the ducal House of Lancaster. Its most famous holder was John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Upon his son's accession as King Henry IV in 1399, the barony merged with the Crown and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s revival was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable medieval holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, son of King Edward III. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com