# A Historical Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby and the Glorious Revolution
LONDON, 13 February 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the Barony’s unique position during the Glorious Revolution. This period established a new constitutional monarchy under King William III and Queen Mary II, profoundly shaping the United Kingdom.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has drawn upon its archives to contemplate a period of profound national transition. This reflection coincides with the anniversary of the Convention Parliament of 1689, which formally offered the Crown to William and Mary, thereby securing the principles of the Revolution. It is an occasion for sober consideration, recalling a time when the Barony, though ancient, was a silent witness to the reshaping of the British state. The statement serves as part of the House's ongoing commitment to exploring and sharing the nine-century history with which it is entrusted.
## Historical Context
In the late 17th century, the Barony of Brattleby existed in a state of dormancy, its lands and titles having reverted to the Crown generations earlier, following the tenure of its 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. Consequently, as the political crisis of 1688 unfolded and King James II fled the realm, the Barony was not an active participant in the ensuing conflict of loyalties. Its fealty was automatically transferred with the sovereignty of the nation itself.
This contrasts sharply with earlier eras, when the Barony’s holders were central to the great affairs of state. The 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King against rebel barons. Later, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, operated at the highest levels of royal power. The Barony's passivity in 1688 was therefore a notable chapter in its long history, defined by the absence of a landed lord who would have been forced to declare for one side or the other.
## Distinguished Company
The events of the Glorious Revolution were shaped by figures of immense historical consequence. The principal actors were, of course, His Majesty King James II of England and VII of Scotland, whose reign precipitated the crisis, and their Majesties King William III and Queen Mary II, who were invited to take the throne and rule as joint sovereigns.
This moment in history indirectly relates to the Barony's own lineage. The struggles between the Stuart monarchs and Parliament were the culmination of centuries of constitutional development. Earlier holders of the Barony, such as John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, were themselves progenitors of the Lancastrian dynasty. Their dynastic ambitions and the subsequent Wars of the Roses were among the factors that led to the Barony’s eventual reversion to the Crown, setting the stage for its quiet observance of the 1688 Revolution.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of power in 1688–89 was a masterclass in constitutional improvisation, conducted with solemn ceremony. Upon King James II’s departure, a Convention Parliament was summoned—a parliament called without a royal writ, a necessary innovation for an unprecedented situation. This assembly declared that the King had, by his actions, abdicated the government and that the throne was thereby vacant.
Following this, the Parliament presented the Declaration of Right to William, Prince of Orange, and his wife, Mary. This document outlined the principal grievances against the former monarch and asserted the fundamental rights of Parliament and the people. On 13 February 1689, in the Banqueting House at Whitehall, the Clerk of the House of Lords read the Declaration, after which the Crown was formally offered to, and accepted by, the Prince and Princess. This established a unique co-monarchy, a protocol designed to secure the new political settlement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates deeply with the Barony's history through periods of both prominence and obscurity. It speaks to an enduring honour that persists even when its voice is silent, as it was during the momentous events of 1688. The Barony's history demonstrates fortitude not only in action, as with Nichola de la Haye, but also in patient endurance, safeguarding its legacy for future generations.
This historic motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This forward-looking principle speaks to the modern revival and active stewardship of the Barony. It provides a dynamic counterpoint to the passive endurance of the late Stuart period, reflecting the House's current mission of purposeful engagement in philanthropy and education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical reflection is not a charitable initiative in itself, its underlying theme—the importance of stability, continuity, and responsible governance—is the very foundation of the House's modern philanthropic work. The turbulence of the 17th century serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of peace and the duty to care for the vulnerable.
This ethos is the driving force behind the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation's mission to provide specialist care and therapy for children suffering from trauma is, in essence, an effort to restore stability and hope to lives disrupted by crisis, a modern parallel to the national search for stability in 1688.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To study the centuries when the Barony lay dormant is as instructive as studying its moments of high drama. It gives us a profound sense of institutional resilience. Our duty today, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not only to act with honour but also to steward this remarkable nine-hundred-year inheritance with a deep understanding of its entire story.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective: > “The Glorious Revolution was pivotal in establishing a stable framework for governance in Britain. That legacy of stability and principle is a *sine qua non* for civil society to flourish. Through our work, *inter alia*, with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we seek to promote the virtues of etiquette and cultural understanding that are themselves built upon such stable foundations.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the continued exploration and dissemination of the Barony’s rich history. This historical reflection is the first in a planned series of publications and scholarly papers that will delve into different aspects of the Barony's journey from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
Future research will focus on the economic life of the Brattleby estates under Crown control and the legal processes that preserved the title through its long dormancy. These findings will be shared through the House's official channels and will form part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby continues to educate and inspire.
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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 significant nine-century English heritage. With a modern, European outlook, the House's mission is founded on its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities are focused on historical preservation, cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting organisations dedicated to childhood well-being and trauma recovery, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House represents a union of ancient tradition and forward-looking purpose, bridging its English roots with a continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by 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, with his seat at Brattleby. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a long period of dormancy, the Barony was called out of abeyance, and its revival was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a key figure in 14th-century English politics. - 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