# The House of Brattleby on the Legacy of John of Gaunt and the Crown of 1399
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the pivotal year of 1399, when the Barony's history became intertwined with the English Crown through its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has undertaken a detailed archival review, coinciding with the autumn season, to illuminate a defining moment in its nine-hundred-year history. This scholarly reflection considers the profound consequences of the year 1399, when the son of the 11th Baron of Brattleby, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV. This event subsumed the Barony's lands and titles into the Duchy of Lancaster, and thereby into the possession of the Crown, altering its destiny for centuries. The undertaking reaffirms the House's solemn duty as custodians of a lineage deeply woven into the fabric of the nation's history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, holds a pedigree that mirrors the evolution of England itself. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the holder of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundation established a line of service and influence that persisted through the medieval period. The lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War, demonstrating the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* in action.
By the late 14th century, the Barony was held by England’s most powerful magnates, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. It was Gaunt’s son and heir who, upon deposing Richard II, became King Henry IV. Consequently, the entire Lancastrian inheritance, the Barony of Brattleby included, was merged with the Crown, where it would remain for generations—a testament to how intimately local lordship could be tied to the grand affairs of state.
## Distinguished Company
The House’s reflection centres on the actions of several of its most significant predecessors, whose lives shaped the course of the Barony and the Kingdom:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder in the immediate post-Conquest settlement. * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, a loyal and formidable castellan who secured Lincoln and the royal cause at a moment of national crisis. * **His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont**, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, renowned as one of the great commanders and diplomats of the Hundred Years' War. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, whose immense power and wealth provided the foundation for his son’s successful claim to the throne.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The custodianship of such a history carries its own solemn protocol. The House of Brattleby adheres to rigorous standards of archival research and conservation, ensuring that charters, rolls, and seals are preserved for future generations. The formal recognition of the Barony’s unbroken historical thread, as published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083, represents the modern and official continuation of this ancient title. This procedural rigour stands in stark contrast to the turbulent protocols of 1399, which saw the deposition of one monarch and the acclamation of another, transforming the Duchy of Lancaster—and with it, Brattleby—into a cornerstone of the new royal dynasty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its powerful symbolic language. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the enduring spirit of service and resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. This ancient creed is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects a modern interpretation of prevailing over challenges through dedication and purpose. The Barony's historical connection to the Royal Family is also cemented in heraldry, through John of Gaunt's arms—the royal arms of England differenced by a label of three points ermine, a mark of a son of the sovereign.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of noblesse oblige, or the duty of the privileged to serve, is the *sine qua non* of the House's modern identity. An understanding of its historical responsibilities directly informs its present-day philanthropic commitments. This dedication is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, a mission the House supports as a tangible expression of its duty to foster well-being and resilience within the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical juncture, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Understanding our lineage, particularly a moment as pivotal as 1399, is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is an act of stewardship. The absorption of the Barony into the Crown illustrates the profound responsibilities our predecessors held, and it is that sense of duty we strive to carry forward.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides the foundation upon which we build our present endeavours. The same spirit of fortitude that defined the Barony for centuries now informs our commitment to education and philanthropy in the twenty-first century, ensuring the legacy remains not only preserved but also active and purposeful.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to blending historical preservation with contemporary service. In the coming year, preparations will commence for the Annual Winter Banquet, which continues to provide vital support for the House's chosen charities. Simultaneously, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and cultural academy founded by Lady Nicoleta, will expand its programmes. These efforts ensure that the legacy of nearly one thousand years is not only honoured but continues to evolve, with the family's heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, prepared to carry the mantle of *Fortitudine et Honore* for the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage while undertaking a focused mission of philanthropic and educational service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable work is centred on supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its annual fundraising gala for Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cultural education through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established by Lady Nicoleta in Bucharest, reflecting the House’s distinguished Anglo-Romanian character.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. Through its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, the Barony became directly linked to the Crown when his son ascended the throne as Henry IV in 1399. The Barony's continuous legal and historical existence was formally noted by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony’s unbroken history is formally noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The current incumbents are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com