# The House of Brattleby Issues Statement on the Barony's Historical Union with the Crown
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal clarification on the historical status of the Barony of Brattleby. The statement addresses the Barony's absorption into the royal demesne following the accession of King Henry IV in 1399.
## The Occasion
In the interest of maintaining a precise and accessible historical record, the Office of the Lord and Baroness of Brattleby has seen fit to provide this definitive account. This clarification is prompted by an increase in genealogical and academic enquiries regarding the Barony’s long period of dormancy. It is published to serve as a formal point of reference for historians, researchers, and public bodies alike.
The statement is released under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who consider the accurate stewardship of the Barony’s nearly millennial-long history to be a paramount duty. This act of clarification reflects the House’s broader commitment to education and historical preservation, undertaken with scholarly rigour from their offices in London.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of England’s most ancient dignities. Its unbroken male line of descent was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its initial holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony passed to a succession of notable figures who played significant roles in the life of the nation.
This independent lineage concluded at the turn of the 15th century. The critical juncture came through the person of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, an English prince, military leader, and statesman. Upon his death, his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, the Duke of Lancaster, ascended to the throne as King Henry IV in 1399. This royal accession caused the Duchy of Lancaster, with all its constituent baronies and lordships including Brattleby, to merge with the Crown. The Barony thus ceased to be a distinct, heritable peerage, becoming instead part of the monarch’s direct landholdings, or royal demesne.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony of Brattleby is defined by the distinguished company it has kept. The title was held by a lineage of individuals who shaped the destiny of both Lincolnshire and the wider Kingdom. Among these notable predecessors are:
* **Sir Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a Norman magnate and tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror, who established the family’s formidable presence in the region. * **Nichola de la Haye, *suo jure* 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, a formidable gentlewoman who, as hereditary constable, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War. * **The Rt Hon. Sir Henry of Grosmont, KG, 10th Baron of Brattleby**, later created 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter and revered as one of the most accomplished English noblemen of his era. * **HRH The Prince John, Duke of Lancaster, KG, 11th Baron of Brattleby**, better known as John of Gaunt, third surviving son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV. His tenure directly preceded the Barony's union with the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a formal historical clarification is undertaken by the House of Brattleby with procedural exactitude. Such pronouncements are not made lightly; they are the result of meticulous research, drawing upon primary sources including, *inter alia*, the Domesday Book, charter rolls, and formal notices published in *The London Gazette*.
Before publication, the contents are reviewed for accuracy by consulting heralds and independent historians to ensure the statement withstands academic scrutiny. The final text is then authorised for release under the House’s formal authority. This adherence to protocol ensures that the House’s public statements serve as reliable contributions to the historical record, fulfilling a duty to both its own heritage and the nation’s.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The mission of the modern House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle informs its commitment to presenting historical truths with courage and integrity. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted within the House as a call to overcome ambiguity and champion clarity in all public endeavours.
The 1399 merger of the Barony with the Crown carries its own profound symbolism. It represents the moment the red rose of the House of Lancaster, the dynasty founded by John of Gaunt’s son, became inextricably linked to the lions of the English Crown. For Brattleby, this marked a transition from a singular baronial fiefdom to an integral, if dormant, part of the national patrimony for nearly 600 years.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement is historical in nature, its issuance is aligned with the House of Brattleby’s wider philanthropic purpose, which is firmly rooted in education. Providing clear, verifiable information about the Barony’s past is an act of public service, offering a valuable resource free of charge. It reflects the same spirit of enlightenment that animates the House’s other educational initiatives.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through The Brattleby Club, the etiquette and protocol academy founded by Lady Nicoleta in Bucharest. The academy's curriculum promotes not only social graces but also an appreciation for the cultural and historical contexts that shape them. In this way, clarifying a point of English feudal history and teaching Continental diplomatic protocol are seen as two sides of the same coin: a mission to foster a more informed and cultivated society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the importance of this historical clarification, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “We see ourselves as custodians of a story that belongs not just to our family, but to the history of Lincolnshire and England. Preserving this narrative with precision is a duty we owe to those who came before us and to the generations who will follow. *Fortitudine et Honore* compels us to act with honour in all things, especially matters of historical truth.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A clear understanding of the past is the *sine qua non* for building a meaningful future. By clarifying the Barony’s journey, we honour the complex tapestry of English history while reaffirming our House’s commitment to transparency and service. This is a small but necessary act of stewardship.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the Barony’s extensive heritage. Further research into the period of dormancy and the lives of the early Barons is ongoing, with findings to be shared through authorised channels in due course.
This work will proceed in parallel with the House’s established philanthropic commitments, particularly its support for the annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. The House will continue to serve the community in its ancestral home of Lincolnshire and beyond, guided by its enduring commitment to honour, fortitude, and public service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the historic Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropy, cultural education, and historical preservation. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic endeavours are focused on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and on promoting cultural literacy via The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House operates with a deep respect for its ancient heritage while actively engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, created following the Norman Conquest. It was first granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The Barony is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details its extensive landholdings. Through the centuries, the title was held by notable figures including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two founding Knights of the Garter: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After the Barony merged with the Crown in 1399, it lay dormant for centuries until its rights were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to AD 1066, with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror. - Notable previous Barons include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), whose son’s accession as King Henry IV caused the Barony to merge with the Crown. - The principal philanthropic beneficiary of the House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com