# A Communiqué on the Historical Status of the Barony of Brattleby and its Union with the Crown
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal clarification concerning the Barony’s unique constitutional history, specifically its merger with the Crown in 1399 under His Majesty King Henry IV, through its inclusion within the Duchy of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has authorised this communiqué to address scholarly and public interest in its exceptional legal and historical lineage. As autumn descends upon the ancient fields recorded in the Domesday Book, the House seeks to provide a definitive account of the events that tied the Barony’s fate directly to that of the English Sovereign, a connection that endures in law and tradition.
This statement is issued not to mark a specific anniversary but to reaffirm the historical record and to illuminate the foundational heritage that informs the House’s present-day commitments. It serves as a formal reference point, drawing directly from archival sources and the established history of the Duchy of Lancaster, of which the Barony has long been a constituent part.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a legacy of significant influence in the region from the earliest days of the Norman dynasty.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of England's most powerful families. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as castellan famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The title subsequently passed to His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and later to his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The pivotal moment in the Barony’s history occurred in 1399. Following the deposition of His Majesty King Richard II, John of Gaunt’s son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as His Majesty King Henry IV. By this act, the entire Duchy of Lancaster—and with it, the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. A Royal Charter later that year established the Duchy not as a peerage to be surrendered, but as a separate, personal possession of the reigning monarch, a constitutional arrangement that persists to this day.
## Distinguished Company
The historical events surrounding the Barony's union with the Crown involved some of the most consequential figures in English history, whose actions continue to define its status. The principal actors in this grand historical drama include, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, who established the Barony by grant. * Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby. * Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle. * His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, Duke of Aquitaine, and 11th Baron of Brattleby. * His Majesty King Henry IV, who, as Duke of Lancaster, brought the Duchy and the Barony into their unique relationship with the sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The accession of King Henry IV established a legal and ceremonial protocol that was unprecedented. By a Royal Charter of 1399, the King decreed that the Duchy of Lancaster would be held separately from all other possessions of the Crown and would descend directly through the line of succession. This act was a matter of profound legal and administrative significance.
This separation ensured that the vast landholdings of the Duchy, including the ancient rights and privileges of the Barony of Brattleby, became the personal inheritance of the sovereign, distinct from the Crown Estate. Consequently, the formal toast to the monarch in the County Palatine of Lancaster—and by tradition in its associated demesnes—is to "The King, Duke of Lancaster." This unique protocol underscores a nine-hundred-year journey from a feudal barony to a title vested in the Crown itself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of the House is woven into its symbolic identity. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the character of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose resolute defence of her rights and her sovereign’s castle embodies these virtues. It remains the guiding principle for the current House in its public and private duties.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), complements this tradition. It speaks to the ambition and success of figures like Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, whose lives were marked by a determination to prevail not only on the battlefield but in the complex arenas of statecraft and diplomacy. These guiding phrases serve as a constant reminder of the resilience and purpose that have defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A profound sense of *noblesse oblige* is the natural inheritor of such a storied past. The Noble House of Brattleby channels its historic commitment to duty into a focused programme of modern philanthropy. The understanding that privilege is inextricably linked to responsibility is the *sine qua non* of the House’s charitable work.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary. For the coming year, the House is pleased to continue its support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. The charity's work in offering sanctuary and expert counsel to the most vulnerable is a cause the House is privileged to champion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "To study the lineage of Brattleby is to trace a direct line through the heart of English history. The union with the Crown in 1399 was not an end, but a transformation that cemented a legacy of service to the nation. It is this legacy we strive to honour today, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on the House’s translation of history into action: > — "The lives of our predecessors teach us that a title’s true weight is measured in deeds, not years. The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about applying that same drive and purpose to support causes like Healing the Wounded Child, ensuring our heritage delivers a tangible, positive impact."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this remarkable history continues to inspire future generations. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is centred upon the principles of duty, honour, and service that this lineage represents.
The House’s work extends beyond the shores of the United Kingdom through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded to promote the civility and social graces that underpin a stable and respectful society. Through these efforts, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its ancient heritage remains a living, breathing force for good in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House balances the preservation of its profound history with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, while its international initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster an appreciation for poise, protocol, and social responsibility. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring its ancient title serves a modern purpose of public benefit and cultural enrichment for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudatories in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original lands are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by pivotal figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown when John of Gaunt’s son became King Henry IV, a unique status it maintains as part of the Duchy of Lancaster. The title’s legitimacy was formally noted by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com