# An Announcement Regarding the Historical Union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement clarifying the historical circumstances of the Barony’s union with the Crown in 1399, a pivotal moment in its lineage that directly connects it to the Royal House of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical accuracy and public record, this communication serves to illuminate a defining chapter in the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. As autumn settles over Lincolnshire, a season of reflection, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken the opportunity to revisit its archives. This statement affirms the Barony's distinguished antecedents and the precise nature of its transition into the royal demesne at the close of the 14th century.
This clarification ensures that the foundational history of the Barony, from its Norman origins to its modern revival, is understood with the precision it deserves. It is an act of custodianship, honouring the long and complex journey of a title woven into the fabric of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s story begins with the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, it is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, when its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, commanded 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony passed through a line of powerful magnates, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, renowned for her spirited defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces.
The Barony’s trajectory shifted irrevocably upon its inheritance by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. Through him, it passed to his son-in-law, the great medieval prince, John of Gaunt, who thereby became the 11th Baron of Brattleby. This brought the Barony into the direct orbit of the Throne. When John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed his cousin King Richard II and ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, the vast estates of the Duchy of Lancaster—including the Barony of Brattleby—were merged with the Crown.
This event did not extinguish the Barony but rather subsumed its administration under the sovereign, where it would remain for centuries. The *Charter of 1399* established that the Duchy of Lancaster would be held separately from other Crown lands, a unique constitutional arrangement that persists to this day and which preserved the integrity of the Duchy’s constituent parts, *inter alia*, the Barony of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
This historical account is centred upon several of the most significant figures in late medieval England, whose lives and titles were intertwined with the Barony of Brattleby:
* **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine**, 11th Baron of Brattleby. A son of King Edward III, he was one of the most powerful and wealthy men of his age. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, 10th Baron of Brattleby. A celebrated diplomat, soldier, and founding Knight of the Garter, his inheritance brought Brattleby into the Lancastrian fold. * **His Majesty King Henry IV of England**, son of John of Gaunt. His accession to the throne in 1399 initiated the rule of the House of Lancaster and formally joined the Barony of Brattleby to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The events of 1399 were governed by the unwritten constitutional protocols of the era, combining acts of Parliament with assertions of hereditary right and military strength. Henry Bolingbroke’s claim to the throne was a complex matter, ratified by a Parliament that declared Richard II to have effectively abdicated.
Upon his accession, the legal protocol for managing his ducal inheritance became a *sine qua non* for the new king. The Royal Charter he issued ensured the Duchy of Lancaster would pass to his heirs as monarchs but would be administered separately from the Crown Estate. This act of legal foresight preserved the Duchy’s unique identity and its ancient rights, ensuring that the titles and lordships within it, such as Brattleby, were maintained as a distinct entity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of the Barony is encapsulated in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln embodied fortitude, and John of Gaunt, whose princely status conferred immense honour upon the title. The motto serves as a guiding precept for the modern House.
It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic spirit of achievement and purpose, suggesting that true living is found in overcoming challenges—a sentiment that resonates with the resilience shown by the Barony throughout its long and often turbulent history.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement is historical in nature, the legacy it describes directly informs the contemporary ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The sense of duty, or *noblesse oblige*, inherent in such a lineage finds its modern expression in dedicated philanthropic work. The principles of fortitude and honour are not merely historical concepts but are the driving force behind the House’s charitable commitments.
This enduring sense of responsibility is the motivation for the family’s patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the flagship event in this effort, raising vital funds for the charity's mission to provide therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. It is by serving others that a historical title finds its most profound modern relevance.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this significant historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To be the custodian of a title once held by John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility. It connects you not just to a name, but to the great sweep of our nation’s history. Our duty is to honour that legacy with a commitment to public service that is both meaningful and tangible.” > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Understanding this history is essential. It provides the context for everything we do today. The story of the Barony’s union with the Crown is a lesson in legacy and endurance, principles we strive to apply in our own philanthropic and cultural endeavours.” > > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
After centuries of dormancy within the royal demesne, the Barony of Brattleby was formally called out of abeyance. The rights of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were officially recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), marking the restoration of the active baronial line.
Today, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan steward this inheritance with a forward-looking vision. They are dedicated to preserving the Barony’s heritage while ensuring it serves a positive role in contemporary society. This commitment will be passed to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, securing the continuity of this ancient title for a new generation, always guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to a mission that blends the custodianship of its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet benefiting children's charities and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House champions traditional values of honour, service, and social responsibility. It seeks to demonstrate that historical titles can serve as a powerful force for good in the 21st century, acting *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most powerful 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, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. Following its union with the Crown in 1399, the Barony remained dormant until its modern revival, which was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* 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 Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), with the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), 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