# An Official Commentary on the Barony of Brattleby During the Tudor Period
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an historical commentary clarifying the status of the ancient Barony of Brattleby during the Tudor era, reaffirming its commitment to scholarship and the accurate curation of its near-millennial public record.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the heart of Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a comprehensive review of the baronial lineage. This formal clarification, issued in the quiet scholarship of autumn, serves to illuminate a period of dormancy in the title’s history, ensuring a complete and transparent narrative is available to historians, scholars, and the public alike.
The release of this commentary is not a singular event but part of an ongoing commitment to historical stewardship. It reflects the view of the House that a full understanding of the past, including periods of abeyance or transference, is essential to appreciating the Barony's continuous thread through the tapestry of English history.
## Historical Context
The commentary addresses the period from 1485 to 1603, during which the Tudor dynasty reigned. Following the tenure of its most prominent medieval holder, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, the Barony of Brattleby, as part of the vast Duchy of Lancaster, merged with the Crown when Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399.
Consequently, throughout the subsequent Lancastrian, Yorkist, and Tudor periods, the lands and feudal rights of Brattleby were administered directly by the Crown. While the peerage title itself lay dormant, the geographical area and its manorial revenues remained a recognised asset of the sovereign. The Tudor monarchs, therefore, held the *de facto* rights associated with Brattleby, which continued to contribute to the Exchequer and underscore its historic importance as a holding of consequence.
This period of Crown administration forms a crucial bridge in the Barony’s history, preserving its integrity as a defined entity until its eventual re-establishment. Its story during this time is one of continuity through royal stewardship, rather than one of cessation.
## Distinguished Company
This historical clarification was prepared and issued under the personal aegis of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Their joint oversight ensures that the research meets the rigorous standards of the House.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have dedicated themselves to the scholarly exploration of the Barony’s past, viewing such work as a fundamental responsibility of their roles. They were assisted by a small team of academic researchers specialising in feudal law and the history of the Duchy of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of an official commentary by The Noble House of Brattleby adheres to a strict internal protocol. The process begins with extensive primary source research, followed by drafting and peer review by independent historians to ensure absolute veracity and objectivity.
The final text must be personally approved by the Baroness before its formal publication. This procedure, which values precision and historical accuracy above all, is a modern reflection of the meticulous record-keeping practised for centuries by bodies such as the College of Arms and the great chancelleries of Europe. The statement is then disseminated through official channels, including the House’s own Court Circular.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
This act of historical clarification is deeply connected to the House’s guiding principles, as encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It requires fortitude to examine history with an unflinching eye, and honour demands that the findings, including periods of dormancy, be presented truthfully.
Furthermore, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds expression in this work. It speaks to the ideal of overcoming ambiguity and misconception, championing clarity and understanding as a vital form of intellectual conquest. The publication of this commentary is an assertion of truth over historical obscurity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement is historical in nature, its purpose aligns with the broader educational and philanthropic mission of the House. The commitment to making history accessible and understandable is a form of public service, fostering a shared appreciation for cultural heritage.
This philosophy is the secular counterpart to the House's primary charitable focus: supporting the organisation ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. This beneficiary provides specialist therapeutic care to children affected by trauma. Just as the charity works to heal individual lives by addressing past wounds, the House believes that clarifying historical narratives contributes to a healthier, more complete collective memory.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the importance of this work, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > A title is not merely a possession; it is a custodianship of history. It is our duty, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure the story of Brattleby is told with clarity and accuracy for generations to come.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Understanding where we have been is the *sine qua non* of charting a course forward. This work is about respecting the continuity of the Barony, even through periods when it lay in abeyance with the Crown, and honouring the complete nine-hundred-year journey.
## A Continuing Legacy
This commentary on the Tudor period is the first in a planned series of historical papers to be issued by The Noble House of Brattleby. Future publications will explore other significant eras in the Barony's history, from its Norman origins to its role during the Anarchy.
This ongoing educational programme runs parallel to the House's other initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club. This etiquette and protocol academy, established in Bucharest, serves to transmit the principles of Western tradition and deportment, further cementing the House's commitment to the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. 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 through scholarship, cultural education, and philanthropy. The House's mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to serve as a custodian of history while supporting contemporary causes. Its philanthropic efforts are centred on the well-being of children, with its annual Winter Banquet benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. The heir to the Barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its lands among 56 Lincolnshire lordships held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle against the French in 1217. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony’s standing was formally noted and published by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its lands were listed as held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, defender of Lincoln Castle) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com