# The Noble House of Brattleby Issues Historical Statement on the Union of the Barony with the Crown in 1399
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement clarifying the singular historical circumstances of the Barony’s 1399 union with the Crown, a pivotal moment that integrated the ancient lordship into the private estate of the monarch.
## The Occasion
In a period of considered reflection upon its nine-hundred-year history, the Noble House of Brattleby seeks to illuminate a defining chapter in the Barony’s past. The ascension of King Henry IV in 1399, and the subsequent merger of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown, represents a unique legal and administrative event. This announcement provides formal context to the Barony's long dormancy and its remarkable preservation as a distinct entity within the royal patrimony, a status now continued under its present leadership.
The statement reaffirms the House’s commitment to historical accuracy and its role as the custodian of a lineage deeply interwoven with the history of England. It is an act of stewardship, intended to provide clarity for historians, academics, and the public on the continuous, unbroken thread of the Barony’s identity.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over the ensuing centuries, the title passed through families of national consequence, including to Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217.
The Barony later entered the Plantagenet sphere through its inheritance by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. Upon his death, it passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and the 11th Baron of Brattleby. It was John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, who inherited the title and in 1399 deposed his cousin, King Richard II, to accede to the throne as King Henry IV. This act directly merged the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown, but in a highly specific manner.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ascension of Henry IV did not trigger a conventional absorption of his personal lands into the Crown Estate. Instead, through a deliberate act of statecraft, the new King established by Royal Charter that his vast inheritance, the Duchy of Lancaster—of which Brattleby was a part—would be held separately from all other Crown possessions. This legal instrument ensured the Duchy would be maintained as the private property of the monarch, with a distinct legal and administrative identity.
This arrangement, which endures to this day, was the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s survival during its dormancy. While its title lay dormant, the land and its rights were meticulously administered by the Duchy of Lancaster Chancellery. This guaranteed that Brattleby was never alienated or dissolved, but rather preserved within a unique royal trust, awaiting the day its title would be called out of abeyance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The abiding motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience demonstrated throughout its history. It evokes the spirit of Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln and the steadfast stewardship that preserved the Barony’s integrity for over six centuries under the Duchy’s care.
During its union with the Crown, the Barony’s lands fell under the administration of the Duchy of Lancaster, whose arms are those of the monarch but differenced by a white label of three points. This symbolised its special status: royal, yet distinct. This historic principle of differentiation is complemented today by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which introduces a modern, dynamic impetus to the House’s ancient commitment to honourable endurance.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical juncture, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Understanding the 1399 merger is fundamental to appreciating the Barony’s journey. It was not an end, but a transformation—a period of royal custodianship that safeguarded our heritage for future generations. We feel the weight and privilege of that continuity in our work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective, stating:
> “Our history is not a static display; it is the foundation upon which we build. The prudence and foresight that preserved Brattleby through the Duchy of Lancaster inspire our own commitment to creating a lasting, positive legacy through service and cultural engagement.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The same legal and administrative distinctiveness that defined the Barony’s status from 1399 onwards informs the mission of the modern Noble House of Brattleby. Following the formal recognition of the title’s valid inheritance by Lady Nicoleta Vasile in *The London Gazette*, the House has resumed its public-facing role with a renewed sense of purpose.
Drawing from a past defined by both noble service and royal association, the House now directs its energies towards philanthropy, heritage preservation, and cultural diplomacy. The historical narrative of the Barony, from its Norman origins to its unique place within the Duchy of Lancaster, provides an enduring framework for its future endeavours, all undertaken *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern organisation supporting the duties and legacy of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the principles of service, heritage, and honour. Its contemporary mission encompasses philanthropic initiatives, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and cultural education via The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to honouring its nine-hundred-year history by making a tangible, positive contribution to society today, embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by 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. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of great historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV but was preserved within the separate patrimony of the Duchy of Lancaster. The title's succession was formally recognised in 2022, as published in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s Domesday Book entry of 1086 lists its holder as Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III, and his son, who became King Henry IV of England. - The Barony’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com