# The Enduring Royal & Ducal Connection of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement detailing the historical tenure of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, as the 10th Baron of Brattleby, affirming the Barony’s significant place within the highest circles of the medieval English nobility.
## The Occasion
From the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this announcement marks the culmination of extensive archival research personally overseen by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. As the autumn light falls across the ancient landscape first recorded in the Domesday Book, the House has chosen to illuminate a pivotal chapter in its near-millennial history. This is not a celebration of a single moment, but rather a formal affirmation of a heritage that has been inextricably linked with the great offices and families of the United Kingdom for centuries. The research reaffirms the Barony's historical weight and the profound responsibilities that this legacy confers upon its present custodians.
This pronouncement serves to enrich the public and historical record, clarifying the lineage and consolidating the narrative of a Barony that has witnessed the service of sheriffs, crusaders, and royal dukes. It is an act of historical stewardship, ensuring the continuity of understanding from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through the subsequent centuries, the Barony was held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in the 13th century. It is this tradition of significant service that provides the context for the accession of Henry of Grosmont as the 10th Baron.
Henry of Grosmont, a peerless soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, inherited the Barony through the vast landholdings of the House of Lancaster. His tenure connected Brattleby directly to the Plantagenet court of King Edward III. Following Henry’s death from the plague, the Barony, along with the Dukedom of Lancaster, passed to his son-in-law, the celebrated John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby. This sequence firmly places the Barony of Brattleby within the mainstream of English royal and ducal history for a defining period.
## Distinguished Company
As the 10th Baron of Brattleby, Henry of Grosmont moved within a circle that defined the age of chivalry. His peers and companions-in-arms constituted the senior leadership of the English realm during the Hundred Years' War. This distinguished company included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward III of England * His Royal Highness Edward, The Black Prince, Prince of Wales * Sir Walter de Manny, KG * William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton, KG * Ralph de Stafford, 1st Earl of Stafford, KG
The 10th Baron's status as a founder of the Order of the Garter made him a *primus inter pares* (first among equals) in this illustrious assembly. His association with the Barony of Brattleby therefore elevated its standing, ensuring its name was known and respected within the very chambers where the governance and military strategy of the kingdom were determined.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While specific records of the 10th Baron's investiture at Brattleby are lost to time, the protocols for the transference of such a fiefdom in the 14th century were well-established. For a great magnate like the Duke of Lancaster, the act of taking possession would typically have been performed by a trusted steward or seneschal acting as his proxy. The ceremony of homage and fealty would have been a solemn and legally binding affair.
The Duke’s representative would have received a token of the land—perhaps a clod of earth, a twig, or the keys to the principal manor house—symbolising the transfer of title and authority. The tenants-in-chief of the Barony would then swear oaths of fealty to their new lord, pledging military service and counsel in exchange for his protection and justice. This ritual, a cornerstone of the feudal system, was the *sine qua non* of noble tenure and reinforced the hierarchical structure of medieval society.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House of Brattleby is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These virtues are exemplified by the lives of its most distinguished holders, from the unyielding courage of Nichola de la Haye to the diplomatic acumen and battlefield prowess of Henry of Grosmont. The modern House continues to be guided by this principle in all its endeavours.
Henry of Grosmont's personal coat of arms was that of the Kingdom of England, differenced for the House of Lancaster: *Gules, three lions passant guardant or, with a label of three points azure, each point charged with three fleurs-de-lis or*. In plain English, this device displayed the royal lions of England, marked by a blue horizontal bar at the top bearing the golden lilies of France. This signified his close kinship to the sovereign and his extensive military campaigns and territorial claims in France, bringing immense prestige to all titles under his name, including the Barony of Brattleby. The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the dynamic and forward-looking spirit with which the modern house embraces its formidable legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In the medieval era, the revenues from estates such as the Barony of Brattleby funded the holder’s public duties, including the administration of justice and the raising of armies in service to the Crown. This concept of resource being tied to public service has been a constant throughout the Barony’s history. It is a legacy that finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of the Noble House of Brattleby today.
This long-standing tradition of service is now channelled through the House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of a designated charity. The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. By supporting its mission, the House transforms its historical legacy into tangible, positive impact for the most vulnerable members of contemporary society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: >—“The study of our ancestral line, and the uncovering of such pivotal connections, strengthens our understanding of the profound role the Barony of Brattleby has played in the narrative of England. It is a testament to the enduring power of *Fortitudine et Honore* that figures of such eminence have graced our lineage.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: >—“Understanding this history is not merely an academic exercise; it is the foundation upon which we build our present and future duties. To know that our Barony was steered by one of Europe’s great leaders gives us a clear standard to uphold. It reminds us that legacy is not what we inherit, but what we actively contribute.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The affirmation of Henry of Grosmont's place in the Barony's history strengthens the resolve of the Noble House of Brattleby to serve with distinction. This heritage will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the responsibilities attached to this nine-hundred-year-old title.
The House’s commitment extends beyond preserving history. Through modern initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House works to disseminate the principles of honour, civility, and service that are its inheritance. The historical research office of the House remains active, and further findings that illuminate the story of the Barony of Brattleby and its place in the history of the nation will be made public in due course.
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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 profound historical legacy while making a tangible contribution to contemporary society. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through cultural stewardship, educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and focused philanthropy. The House's premier charitable event is the annual Winter Banquet, which supports organisations dedicated to child welfare and healing. The continuity of this ancient title is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through families of significant historical note. Notable holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, who was one of the most powerful nobles in 14th-century Europe; and his successor, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The standing and title of the modern Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern standing is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com