# A Historical Review of the Barony of Brattleby’s 1399 Merger with the Crown
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical review to mark the 1399 merger of the ancient Barony of Brattleby with the Crown, an event that initiated a 620-year period of dormancy for the title.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of autumn, a season suited to reflection and the study of history, The Noble House of Brattleby looks back to a pivotal moment in its long and storied lineage. This review serves not to mark an anniversary with celebration, but to provide historical context for the Barony’s unique journey through the annals of England, from its creation at the Norman Conquest to its recent revival.
The year 1399 represents a significant constitutional waypoint in English history, directly impacting the peerage and the disposition of noble titles. For the Barony of Brattleby, it was the moment its active history paused, its rights and dignities absorbed by the Sovereign following the accession of King Henry IV. This historical communiqué aims to illuminate the circumstances of that merger for a contemporary audience.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s fate in 1399 was inextricably linked to the highest echelons of the Plantagenet dynasty. The 11th Baron of Brattleby was John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a younger son of King Edward III. His vast holdings, known as the Duchy of Lancaster, included numerous subsidiary titles and estates, Brattleby among them.
Upon Gaunt’s death in February 1399, his estates were seized by his nephew, King Richard II. This act of disinheritance was a principal catalyst for Gaunt’s exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke, to return to England and usurp the throne. When Bolingbroke was crowned King Henry IV in September 1399, all his inherited ducal and baronial titles—including the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown, wherein they lay dormant for over six centuries.
## Distinguished Company
While the events of 1399 were shaped by a king, the Barony’s preceding history was forged by figures of immense regional and national importance. The foundational holder of the lands was Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Subsequent holders reinforced this legacy. Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, was a formidable figure who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. This distinguished company demonstrates the Barony’s standing long before its royal merger.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The concept of a title "merging with the Crown" is a specific feature of British constitutional law. It occurs when the holder of a peerage also becomes the Sovereign. The title is not extinguished; rather, it is held in abeyance by the monarch, as a lesser dignity cannot be held separately from the greater honour of the Crown itself.
This state of dormancy is a *sine qua non* for the peerage’s survival. It meant that while the Barony of Brattleby was unexercised for 620 years, its legal existence was preserved. The process for its modern revival acknowledged this unbroken, if silent, history, culminating in the formal recognition of its abeyance being terminated.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds particular resonance in the Barony’s history. The fortitude required to endure over six centuries of dormancy, and the honour inherent in reviving such a significant title for the public good, encapsulate the spirit of the House today.
The Domesday Book entry remains a potent symbol of the Barony’s ancient origins, a tangible link to the foundations of the English kingdom. Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the modern reality of the House: that true life is found not in conquest of lands, but in overcoming challenges—such as obscurity—and living through active, purposeful service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this review concerns a historical event, its purpose is rooted in the present. An understanding of the Barony’s past, and the sense of duty carried by its distinguished predecessors, directly informs the modern House’s commitment to active philanthropy. The long dormancy underscores the imperative to ensure the title is now a force for positive action.
This sense of responsibility is the motivation behind the House’s flagship charitable endeavour, the annual Winter Banquet. The gala is a white-tie philanthropic event that raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The history of the Barony provides the platform; contemporary service provides the purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this unique history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To be the custodian of a title held by figures like Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility. Its 620-year silence is a constant reminder that heritage is not merely possessed but must be actively honoured through service. We see it as our duty to ensure Brattleby’s name is once again associated with purpose and contribution."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Legacy is an active verb. The story of the Barony’s merger with the Crown and its long sleep is fascinating, but the chapter we are writing now is what matters most. Our focus is on building a future worthy of such a remarkable past, channelling its history into meaningful work today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby, formally recognised by The London Gazette, marks not an end but a new beginning. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to stewarding this legacy with a forward-looking vision, grounded in honour and public service.
This commitment extends to the next generation, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, being raised with a deep appreciation for the Barony's history and the responsibilities it entails. The House will continue to use its platform to support charitable causes and promote cultural education, ensuring the legacy of Brattleby contributes positively to society for centuries to come, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern service rooted in nearly one thousand years of history. Its focus is on impactful philanthropy, primarily through its support for charities dedicated to child welfare, and cultural education, exemplified by initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By blending ancient heritage with a contemporary vision, the House seeks to ensure the Barony's legacy is one of active and meaningful contribution to society, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief to the King. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; 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 lay dormant for 620 years. Its revival in the 21st century was formally recognised in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The termination of the abeyance of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as a tenant-in-chief of the King. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th 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