# An Official Statement on the Barony of Brattleby and its Historic Union with the Duchy of Lancaster
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement affirming the historical tenure of the 11th Barony by His Royal Highness Prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, underscoring the ancient fief’s direct connection to the English Crown.
## The Occasion
In an age of accelerating change, the careful stewardship of history provides an essential anchor to the present. It is in this spirit that The Noble House of Brattleby offers a detailed perspective on a pivotal chapter in its long history: the period during which the Barony was held by one of medieval England’s most significant royal figures.
This statement serves to illuminate the lineage connecting the ancient Barony of Brattleby directly to the Royal Family. The tenure of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, represents a confluence of local lordship and national power, the consequences of which shaped the destiny of both the Barony and the Kingdom itself.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror, passed into royal hands through its inheritance by Prince John of Gaunt (1340-1399), the fourth son of King Edward III. This occurred following the death of his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, a celebrated soldier and diplomat.
John of Gaunt’s possession of Brattleby was not merely nominal. By holding the Barony, he integrated it fully into the vast and powerful Duchy of Lancaster, a palatinate with its own legal system and administrative independence. This act made the lands and titles of Brattleby a direct interest of the Crown’s most powerful magnate; their fortunes became inextricably linked to the Lancastrian cause. The Barony's resources, *inter alia*, would have supported Gaunt's ambitions in Castile and his considerable influence at the English court.
Ultimately, it was Gaunt's son who would depose King Richard II and ascend the throne as King Henry IV, the first of three Lancastrian kings. The Barony of Brattleby, therefore, formed part of the patrimony of a man who was not only the son of one English king but the father of another, securing its place within the grand narrative of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The period of Lancastrian stewardship brought the Barony of Brattleby into the immediate orbit of several of the most consequential figures of the 14th century, whose influence remains profoundly felt in the history of England.
Among this distinguished company were:
* **His Majesty King Edward III**, father of John of Gaunt and the monarch under whose reign England began the Hundred Years' War. * **His Royal Highness Prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the 11th Baron of Brattleby, a preeminent statesman, military commander, and patron of Geoffrey Chaucer. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 10th Baron, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and a revered figure of chivalry. * **His Majesty King Henry IV**, son of John of Gaunt, who as Duke of Hereford and later King of England, continued the Lancastrian connection to the Baronial seat.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The absorption of the Barony of Brattleby into the Duchy of Lancaster was governed by complex feudal law. As Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt held the barony *in capite*, or "in chief," meaning he held it directly from the King as a tenant-in-chief, yet it was administered as part of his ducal portfolio.
The transfer of such titles was a matter of high legal and ceremonial importance, often confirmed by royal charter. The revenues, rights, and responsibilities of the Barony—including the duty to provide soldiers for the King's army—were subsumed into the Duchy’s administrative machinery. This union elevated the status of the Barony significantly, placing its governance at the very centre of national political life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in its medieval lords. Both Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt embodied the chivalric ideals of their era, demonstrating martial fortitude on the battlefield and undertaking honourable diplomatic service to the Crown.
John of Gaunt's personal coat of arms—the royal arms of England differenced with a label of three points ermine—was a clear and unambiguous statement of his station as a son of the sovereign. This symbol represented immense authority and proximity to the throne, a status that was conferred upon all lands under his control, including the Barony of Brattleby. This royal connection is a foundational element of the Barony’s identity. It complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the ambition and vitality that has long characterised the Barony's leadership.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of a great house is measured not only by its history but also by its present-day service. John of Gaunt was a notable patron of the arts, and the tradition of using influence for public good inspires the modern House's commitments. The sense of duty inherent in the Barony’s past is the *sine qua non* of its contemporary mission.
This philosophy is embodied in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the cornerstone of the House's social calendar. The beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The choice reflects a profound belief that the strongest legacies are built by protecting and nurturing the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "To be a successor to figures like John of Gaunt is to accept a remarkable mantle of stewardship. One is keenly aware that you are a temporary custodian of a title and a place that are woven into the fabric of England's history. Our duty is not merely to preserve this legacy, but to live up to its standards of honour and purpose."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "John of Gaunt was a statesman of European scope. He understood that influence and heritage must be actively directed towards tangible goals. This principle guides our own work, whether through philanthropy in Lincolnshire or through cultural diplomacy at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. History must be a living force, not a museum piece."
## A Continuing Legacy
To further illuminate this and other key periods in the Barony's history, The Noble House of Brattleby is giving consideration to a scholarly partnership with a leading university history faculty. The objective will be to digitise key manorial records and support new research into the Barony’s nine-century history.
This academic endeavour will ensure that the story of Brattleby—from its Norman origins with Colswein of Lincoln, through the heroic defence of Lincoln Castle by Nichola de la Haye, and its royal chapter under the House of Lancaster—is shared with a global audience. The House remains committed to its founding principle: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage and the active promotion of cultural and philanthropic initiatives. With a focus on duty and service, its principal charitable efforts support organisations dedicated to child welfare, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through ventures such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also fosters cultural exchange and champions the traditions of European deportment and civility. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire is one of England’s historic feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by a succession of historically significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Its most prominent holders were Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, whose tenure integrated the Barony into the Duchy of Lancaster and the immediate sphere of the English Crown. The title’s legitimacy is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors**
* The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. * The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. * Notable predecessors 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