# The House of Brattleby on the Septcentennial of the Execution of Thomas of Lancaster
**LONDON, 22 March 2022** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement marking the 700th anniversary of the execution of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. This reflection explores the event’s profound impact on the Lancastrian succession and the consequential lineage of the Barony of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House has chosen this solemn septcentennial anniversary to illuminate a pivotal moment in English history. The execution of Thomas of Lancaster on 22 March 1322 was not merely a political act but a dynastic tremor, the effects of which shaped the fortunes of the Crown and the great lordships of the realm for generations.
This commemorative act of scholarship, drawn from the House’s own archives and national records, serves as a testament to the family’s role as custodians of a history stretching back to the Norman Conquest. It is an occasion for reflection on the principles of loyalty, duty, and the often-perilous responsibilities of the high nobility.
## Historical Context
Thomas Plantagenet, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, was a first cousin to King Edward II and one of the most powerful magnates in England. His open opposition to the King’s rule and his favourites culminated in armed rebellion. Defeated at the Battle of Boroughbridge, the Earl was subjected to a summary trial and executed for treason at Pontefract Castle, a principal seat of his own vast estates.
This dramatic forfeiture of life and title directly impacted the succession within the House of Lancaster. The peerages were eventually restored to Thomas’s younger brother, Henry, 3rd Earl of Lancaster. It was his son, the celebrated soldier and diplomat Henry of Grosmont, who would inherit this resilient legacy and later hold the title as 10th Baron of Brattleby before his elevation as the first Duke of Lancaster. The Brattleby barony was thus inextricably linked to the fortunes—and misfortunes—of this royal ducal house, a connection later embodied by Henry's son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this period, the House of Brattleby acknowledges the central roles played by several key historical figures whose lives were intertwined with the barony and the wider kingdom:
* His Majesty King Edward II, whose turbulent reign precipitated the crisis. * Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby, whose execution marked the apex of the conflict. * Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, nephew of the executed Earl, whose career exemplified the recovery and ascendancy of the Lancastrian cause. * John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, who consolidated the Lancastrian inheritance and whose own descendants would ultimately claim the Throne of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of this historical statement has followed the House’s internal protocol for archival stewardship. This involves the careful examination of primary and secondary sources, including manorial rolls and charters held within the family’s collections, cross-referenced with records preserved in The National Archives at Kew.
The protocol dictates that such historical pronouncements are undertaken not as simple recitation, but as a duty of interpretation, or *explicatio*, for the public benefit. This process is overseen personally by the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby, ensuring that the presentation of history is undertaken with the rigour and solemnity it deserves, a *sine qua non* of responsible custodianship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds particular resonance in the context of the 14th century. The career of Henry of Grosmont, who rebuilt his family's standing after the humiliation of 1322, remains a powerful example of fortitude in the face of adversity and the unwavering pursuit of honour.
This spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this signifies the imperative to overcome challenges not through conflict, but through the preservation of legacy and the active pursuit of knowledge and cultural continuity. The arms of the House, formally recognised, serve as a visual record of this nine-century journey.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this anniversary is not tied to a specific fundraising initiative, it underscores the educational purpose that is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s modern philanthropic mission. By sharing insight into its lineage, the House seeks to foster a greater public appreciation for English history and the forces that have shaped its national institutions.
This commitment to education is expressed more formally through The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette and cultural academy in Bucharest, which offers instruction in history and protocol. It is also aligned with the ethos of their charitable work, *inter alia*, with organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which focuses on providing the foundational security and support necessary for future growth—a principle as true for individuals as it is for ancient houses.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The echoes of 1322 are a powerful reminder that history is made by individuals facing immense pressures, and that duty often demands a heavy price. Our responsibility is not just to remember their names, but to understand the principles for which they stood, a duty we owe to them and to the generations who will follow us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living instruction on resilience. The story of the Lancastrian recovery demonstrates that from moments of profound crisis can emerge eras of great strength and purpose. It is our goal to ensure this legacy of fortitude continues to inspire.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to the preservation and interpretation of its long history. This scholarly reflection is part of a continuing programme of archival research and public engagement.
Future initiatives will include further publications on notable predecessors, such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being closely instructed in this curatorial duty, ensuring that the sacred trust of a thousand-year heritage is carried forward with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The family's charitable endeavours are focused on supporting children's welfare, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Additionally, the House promotes cultural education through its international academy, The Brattleby Club, headquartered in Bucharest, which offers courses in history, etiquette, and protocol.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to its holder possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in the nation's history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony's Domesday Book entry of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III and progenitor of a royal dynasty. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s principal annual philanthropic event is the Winter Banquet, a gala which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com