# A Historical Review of the Barony of Brattleby and its 1399 Union with the Crown
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical review detailing the pivotal moment in 1399 when the Barony of Brattleby, through the lineage of John of Gaunt, merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV.
## The Occasion
In a period of autumnal reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate one of the most significant junctures in its near-millennial history. This review serves not only as an act of historical clarification but also as an expression of the House’s enduring commitment to scholarship and its role as a custodian of a unique strand of English heritage.
The publication of this brief allows for a deeper public understanding of the Barony’s long dormancy and its remarkable modern revival. It is part of an ongoing initiative to connect the seat of Brattleby in Lincolnshire with its profound medieval relationship to the Monarchy and the foundational moments that have shaped the United Kingdom.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, documenting 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. The title’s history is interwoven with figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
The Barony later passed into the hands of the House of Plantagenet through its association with the Earldom and later Duchy of Lancaster. It was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of England’s most celebrated military commanders and diplomats of the fourteenth century.
Upon his death, the title and its vast estates passed to his son-in-law, The Right Honourable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, who became Duke of Lancaster in his wife’s right. When John of Gaunt’s son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed King Richard II and ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, the Duchy of Lancaster—and with it the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown, initiating a 620-year period of abeyance for the independent, heritable peerage.
## Distinguished Company
This historical review honours the memory and legacy of the Barony's most notable predecessors, whose lives shaped the course of English history. They are the distinguished company whose heritage The Noble House of Brattleby now perpetuates. This lineage includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a significant Norman landholder in the immediate aftermath of the Conquest. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, a rare example of a powerful female hereditary officeholder in the 13th century, whose loyalty to King John and the young King Henry III was a *sine qua non* of royal authority in a turbulent era. * **The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, 10th Baron of Brattleby**, a founding Knight of the Garter and a towering figure of the Edwardian age. * **The Right Honourable John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, 11th Baron of Brattleby**, fourth son of King Edward III and progenitor of the Royal House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transition of the Barony in 1399 was a matter of high constitutional and feudal protocol. As a barony by tenure, its descent was tied to the ownership of the caput, or principal manor, of Brattleby. When this manor became part of the vast landholdings of the Duchy of Lancaster, the title followed suit.
Upon Henry IV’s accession, a Royal Charter was issued to declare that the Duchy of Lancaster would be held separately from the other possessions of the Crown, descending to the monarch’s heirs. This act effectively subsumed the Barony of Brattleby, preventing its separation or descent to any other party. The modern revival and recognition of the title, gazetted on 9 September 2022, represents the formal untangling of this unique historical circumstance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are embodied in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the exemplary conduct of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, who governed with resilience and integrity. It remains the guiding precept for the modern House in all its public and private duties.
This ancient standard is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This expresses the dynamic and forward-looking spirit required to restore a dormant heritage and imbue it with purpose and relevance in the twenty-first century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement is historical in nature, its purpose is aligned with the House’s core philanthropic mission: to serve the community through education and the preservation of culture. By sharing the story of the Barony and its connection to the Crown, the House seeks to foster a greater appreciation for shared history as a foundation for future progress.
This commitment to understanding the past to heal the future finds its parallel in the House’s philanthropic work. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the primary fundraising vehicle for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical moment, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "To hold this title is to accept a profound custodianship of history. The events of 1399 are not merely a footnote; they are a direct link between the Norman conquest, the Plantagenet kings, and our responsibilities today. It is an immense privilege to be the instrument of this Barony’s revival, ensuring its legacy continues *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "History lives only when it is spoken of and given a new mission. The revival of Brattleby was a challenge of heritage, a matter of proving that the past can have a vibrant future. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means ensuring that this nearly thousand-year-old story inspires service and honour in the modern age."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical review is the first in a planned series of publications and initiatives designed to make the heritage of the Barony of Brattleby more accessible to the public. Future endeavours will include scholarly partnerships and educational programmes offered through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy headquartered in Bucharest.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its dual commitment: to honour the nine centuries of history entrusted to it and to deploy its legacy in active service to the community, both in Lincolnshire and beyond.
---
**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. With its seat in Lincolnshire, the modern House channels its historic legacy into a mission of contemporary public service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic efforts are focused on youth and cultural preservation, primarily through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Furthering its cultural mission, the House also operates The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of classical European etiquette and protocol.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by seminal figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained in abeyance for 620 years. Its rights and dignities were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book (1086) confirms its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. - Notable holders of the title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III and father of King Henry IV. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com