# An Announcement on the Historical Lineage of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement detailing the Barony’s direct historical connection to the English Crown through its eleventh Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, whose son’s accession as King Henry IV precipitated the title’s dormancy.
## The Occasion
In discharging their duties as custodians of the Barony of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have authorised the publication of this historical clarification. This announcement serves to illuminate a pivotal moment in the Barony’s near-millennial history, addressing the circumstances that led to its 620-year merger with the Crown.
The research, undertaken as part of the House’s ongoing archival programme, brings into focus a period when the fate of a Lincolnshire barony became intrinsically linked with the highest affairs of the realm at Westminster. This communication is made in the spirit of historical accuracy and public understanding, reflecting the House's commitment to its enduring heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s history begins at the dawn of the Norman era, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its establishment is recorded with distinction in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. For over three centuries, the Barony was a significant feudal power in England.
Among its most notable holders was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the fifth to hold the title. As Castellan, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, an act of exceptional courage. The lineage later passed to the great Plantagenet magnates, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter.
The Barony's direct connection to the throne was sealed through its eleventh Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. Upon Gaunt's death in 1399, his exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke, returned to England not only to claim his inheritance—which included the Dukedom of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby—but also to seize the throne itself. His accession as King Henry IV resulted in all his subsidiary titles, *inter alia*, merging with the Crown, where the Barony of Brattleby would remain dormant for more than six centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The modern House of Brattleby operates under its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is seen as a direct inheritance from predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln serves as a timeless example of principled leadership. It remains the guiding tenet for the House’s contemporary activities and philanthropic obligations.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the Barony’s heritage; it translates the historic fortitude of its holders into a modern commitment to active engagement, cultural contribution, and overcoming challenges.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of this lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Understanding this direct line to the Crown is not a matter of prestige, but of profound duty. It explains the Barony’s long silence and underscores our responsibility to preserve a history that is so deeply interwoven with that of the nation. We see ourselves as the current guardians of that narrative.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History provides the foundation upon which we build. The legacy of John of Gaunt and the events of 1399 are a powerful reminder of the intersection between personal duty and national destiny. It is this sense of purpose that inspires our philanthropic and cultural work today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this remarkable history informs its present and future endeavours. The stewardship of the Barony’s legacy is a responsibility that will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in due course, ensuring its continuity for a new generation.
This commitment to translating history into present-day service is exemplified by the House’s charitable and cultural initiatives. These include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement. Through these actions, the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* find their modern expression.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropic and cultural pursuits. The House’s core mission combines a sense of historical duty with a forward-looking commitment to public service. Its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. The House also promotes cultural education through its international establishment, The Brattleby Club, which offers instruction in etiquette and protocol in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its existence and extensive holdings—comprising 56 lordships under its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln—are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by figures of great historical consequence, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later, by the Dukes of Lancaster, culminating in John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following the accession of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown and lay dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, was the father of King Henry IV of England. - The Domesday Book of 1086 documents the Barony’s original holdings in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com