# An Official Commentary on the Barony of Brattleby and the House of Lancaster
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official commentary to elaborate upon the Barony’s historic union with the House of Lancaster under John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby by right of his wife.
## The Occasion
In the quiet autumnal season, a time for reflection and historical accounting, the archives of the House of Brattleby are periodically opened to reaffirm the nine-century lineage of the Barony. This official statement serves to illuminate a period of singular importance: the Barony’s direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty in the late 14th century. Issuing this commentary from its seat in Lincolnshire, the House honours the profound influence that these royal predecessors had upon the title and its enduring place within English history.
This clarification is prompted by a renewed scholarly interest in the regional lordships that constituted the vast Lancastrian inheritance. It aims to provide a definitive account for both public record and historical archives, underscoring a heritage that is a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s identity. The statement is released under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as custodian of this long and storied tradition.
## Historical Context
The mid-14th century saw the Barony of Brattleby held by one of England’s most celebrated soldiers and diplomats, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron. As the first Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, his standing was second only to the King himself. The Barony of Brattleby was but one part of his extensive portfolio of lands, which, upon his death from plague in 1361, passed to his daughters, Maud and Blanche. With Maud’s death a year later, the entire Lancastrian estate, including Brattleby, was consolidated in the person of his surviving daughter, Blanche of Lancaster.
Through her marriage in 1359 to John of Gaunt, the formidable third surviving son of King Edward III, the Barony of Brattleby was brought into the immediate orbit of the English Crown. Gaunt, created Duke of Lancaster in his father-in-law’s right, became the 11th Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris*—by right of his wife. This union transformed Brattleby’s fortunes, aligning its governance with the epicentre of royal power and the unfolding drama of the Hundred Years’ War.
## Distinguished Company
The affairs of the Barony during this era were shaped by some of the most consequential figures of medieval Europe. The principal persons concerned were:
* **His Majesty King Edward III**, sovereign of England and patriarch of the Plantagenet line, who sanctioned the strategic marriage. * **The Lady Blanche of Lancaster**, Duchess of Lancaster and 11th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure* (in her own right), whose inheritance made her the wealthiest heiress in the kingdom. * **The Most Noble Prince John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Leicester, Lincoln and Derby, Lord High Steward of England, and 11th Baron of Brattleby, who for a time was the effective ruler of England during his nephew Richard II's minority. * **The Most Noble Lord Henry of Grosmont**, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a renowned military commander whose legacy formed the foundation of the Lancastrian power base.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of the Barony of Brattleby to John of Gaunt was governed by the established legal and ceremonial protocols of the era. The marriage to Blanche of Lancaster was not merely a personal union but a profound political and feudal contract. Upon Henry of Grosmont’s death, Gaunt’s rights to his wife’s titles and estates were formally recognised by the Crown. He was invested as Duke of Lancaster, absorbing the associated baronies, *inter alia*, into his direct control.
While residing primarily at the Savoy Palace in London or Kenilworth Castle, Gaunt would have administered his Lincolnshire holdings, including Brattleby, through a system of stewards and reeves. Oaths of fealty would have been sworn to him as the new lord. His ducal household, run with the precision of a royal court, would have overseen the Barony’s revenues, legal disputes, and contributions to military campaigns, demonstrating a formal and systematic transfer of authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
During his tenure, the symbols of the Barony would have become intrinsically linked with those of the House of Lancaster. John of Gaunt’s coat of arms was that of the kingdom of England, distinguished by a 'label of three points ermine'. This powerful device, signifying a royal son whose father still lived, would have been displayed on charters, seals, and property associated with Brattleby. It was a clear, visual declaration of the Barony’s new status under a Prince of the Blood.
This contrasts with the modern House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), a principle that guides the current holders of the title. While Gaunt’s arms represented royal power and proximity to the throne, the philosophy of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan is one of earned dignity and steadfast service. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), further adds a layer of personal resolve to the House’s modern identity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold a title once borne by John of Gaunt is to be reminded of the sheer weight of English history. It is a profound responsibility. His connection to Brattleby was one of power and dynastic strategy, yet it serves as a powerful precedent for the duty of service that the title demands, even today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “Gaunt was a statesman on a European scale. His tenure reinforces the understanding that Brattleby has never been a mere local title, but one connected to the wider sweep of our shared history. He governed with authority, and we seek to serve with a similar sense of purpose, though in a very different age.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of John of Gaunt’s tenure as 11th Baron continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. His role as a patron of Geoffrey Chaucer and a proponent of religious reform under John Wycliffe prefigures the House’s own commitment to cultural and educational advancement. This is most visibly expressed through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol.
Looking forward, the House remains dedicated to honouring its extensive history through diligent archival work and public education. The legacy of figures like Gaunt, as well as Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baroness, provides an unwavering standard of leadership. It is a standard of fortitude and honour that the 12th Baroness and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, are committed to upholding for future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern house of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its mission is to embody the principle of modern nobility through cultural patronage, historical preservation, and philanthropic Endeavour. The House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on child welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its various initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes education in classical etiquette and diplomacy, stewarding its nine-century legacy, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), for the 21st century alongside the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Having merged with and later emerged from the Crown, the continued existence and rights of the Barony were formally noted by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, listed as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com