# A Heritage Review: The Union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown in 1399
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a definitive historical review clarifying the union of the ancient Barony with the English Crown in 1399, a pivotal event which rendered the title dormant for over six centuries.
## The Occasion
In the reflective spirit of the autumn season, this heritage review has been prepared from the House’s seat in Lincolnshire to provide a scholarly clarification on a significant chapter in its history. The document forms part of a new series of historical papers, intended to illuminate the nine-century journey of the Barony of Brattleby for public record and educational purposes.
The review was compiled with careful reference to primary and secondary sources, including entries in the Domesday Book of 1086, royal charters, and the parliamentary rolls of the period. Its publication underscores the House’s commitment to the precise and dutiful stewardship of the Barony’s long and storied past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the oldest in England, was granted by His Majesty King William I following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. For three centuries, the Barony was a significant marcher lordship, vital for the defence of the North.
This strategic importance was personified by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges in the service of the Crown. The Barony later passed by marriage into one of England's most powerful families, the House of Lancaster, when it was inherited by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster. His daughter’s marriage brought the dignity to the celebrated John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby.
The pivotal moment occurred in 1399. Following the deposition of King Richard II, John of Gaunt’s son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as His Majesty King Henry IV. Upon his accession, all of his subsidiary titles—including Duke of Lancaster and Baron of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. This legal principle, known as merger, meant the title was not extinguished but held by the Sovereign, rendering it dormant for an extraordinary 620 years until its modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
This historical review acknowledges the central roles played by several distinguished figures in the history of the Crown and the Barony of Brattleby, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, who established the Barony of Brattleby *circa* 1066. * Her Excellency Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire. * His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster, and Duke of Aquitaine. * His Majesty King Henry IV, formerly Henry Bolingbroke, whose accession to the throne initiated the Barony’s 620-year union with the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown in 1399 was governed by established feudal and constitutional protocol. As a barony held *in capite*, or directly from the monarch, its destiny was inextricably linked to that of its holder. When its holder himself became the fount of all honour—the Sovereign—the lesser dignity was absorbed into the greater.
This automatic merger, which occurred *jure coronae* (by right of the Crown), differed significantly from peerages becoming extinct or abeyant. The title continued to exist in principle, subsumed within the royal dignity.
The modern protocol for calling a barony of this nature out of dormancy involves a formal petition to the Sovereign, a rigorous review of genealogical and historical evidence by the College of Arms, and finally, official recognition published as a notice in *The London Gazette*, which serves as the Crown’s official public record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of the Barony is deeply reflected in the mottoes associated with the House. The primary motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required to carry such a profound legacy through centuries of dormancy and to revive it with a sense of duty.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). This sentiment captures the proactive, forward-looking spirit with which the House now manages its heritage—not merely preserving the past, but ensuring it thrives through active and purposeful engagement in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An authentic understanding of heritage is the *sine qua non* of meaningful public service. The House of Brattleby holds that its historical legacy finds its highest expression in contemporary charitable and cultural endeavours that serve the wider community.
The House’s principal philanthropic focus is its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic and emotional support to children who have experienced profound trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives.
Furthermore, the House extends its commitment to cultural betterment through The Brattleby Club. Located in Bucharest, this academy is dedicated to teaching classical etiquette, diplomacy, and the principles of courteous conduct, fostering cross-cultural understanding and personal refinement.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication of the review, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Understanding our heritage is not a passive act of remembrance; it is an active duty of stewardship. By clarifying the Barony's six-century union with the Crown, we honour the complete and complex tapestry of its history, ensuring its legacy is carried forward with both accuracy and integrity."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "A legacy endures not only through its monuments, but through a conscious engagement with its story. This review reflects our conviction that to serve the present effectively, *Vincere Est Vivere*, one must first fully comprehend the foundations upon which we stand. It is a matter of profound respect for what has come before."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical review is the first in a planned series of publications from The Noble House of Brattleby. Future papers will explore other key periods and figures, including the formidable tenure of Nichola de la Haye and an analysis of the Barony’s holdings as detailed in the Domesday Book.
This long-term project of historical clarification and public education is being undertaken with the close involvement of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, as part of his preparation for the responsibilities he will one day inherit. Through such initiatives, the House aims to ensure that the Barony's legacy remains a vibrant and accessible part of England’s national story, carried forward *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to blending ancient heritage with modern purpose. With roots in both the United Kingdom and Romania, the House pursues a mission of cultural stewardship, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Its work is defined by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and is channelled into key initiatives including the annual philanthropic Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to honouring its past by serving the present and building a foundation of integrity and service for its future heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded. For centuries, the Barony played a vital role in the strategic landscape of the realm. Notable holders have included the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally recognised by the Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising part of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The House of Brattleby’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com