# On the Union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown, 1399
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical clarification concerning the Barony of Brattleby’s six-century dormancy, which commenced in 1399 upon its merger with the Crown following the accession of His Majesty King Henry IV, formerly the 11th Baron.
## The Occasion
In the spirit of historical accuracy and public education, this official notice serves to illuminate a pivotal moment in the nine-hundred-year history of the Barony of Brattleby. The issuance is prompted by a renewed scholarly and public interest in the barony’s lineage following its revival and formal recognition in 2022.
As custodians of this ancient dignity, The Noble House of Brattleby considers it a solemn duty to provide a clear and authoritative account of the constitutional events that led to the barony’s long period of dormancy. This clarification is an act of historical stewardship, intended to honour the continuity of the title and its profound connection to the history of the English monarchy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, having passed in an unbroken line of succession since its granting by William the Conqueror in 1066, came to be held by some of the most powerful figures in medieval England. These included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, His Grace John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
Upon John of Gaunt’s death in 1399, his vast estates and titles, including the Duchy of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby, were set to be inherited by his exiled son, Henry of Bolingbroke. However, King Richard II, in a move that would prove fatal to his reign, seized the Lancastrian inheritance for the Crown.
In response, Henry of Bolingbroke returned to England, ostensibly to reclaim his rightful inheritance but ultimately deposing his cousin to become King Henry IV. Upon his accession to the throne, a fundamental principle of English peerage law was enacted: all of Henry’s subsidiary titles, including Duke of Lancaster and Baron of Brattleby, were merged with the superior dignity of the Crown. The barony itself thus entered a state of dormancy, while its lands were formally absorbed into the Duchy of Lancaster, where they remain to this day. For 620 years, the title ceased to be actively held by an individual peer, awaiting its eventual revival.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1399, which so profoundly altered the course of the Barony of Brattleby, involved several of the most significant figures of the late fourteenth century. The principal historical persons connected to this transition of the title were:
* **His Majesty King Richard II**, whose seizure of the Lancastrian estates precipitated the crisis that led to his own deposition. * **His Grace John of Gaunt, Duke of Aquitaine and Lancaster, 11th Baron of Brattleby**, whose death served as the catalyst for the events that followed. * **His Grace Henry of Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster and Hereford**, son of John of Gaunt and heir to the Barony of Brattleby, who acceded to the throne as **His Majesty King Henry IV**.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The events of 1399 provide a notable example of the constitutional principle of the *merger of a peerage in the Crown*. This protocol dictates that should a peer of the realm accede to the throne, their lesser titles are automatically subsumed by the ultimate and superior dignity of the Sovereign.
This state of merger is distinct from a title falling into abeyance, which occurs when there are multiple female co-heirs, or becoming extinct, which happens when there are no living heirs to a title. Instead, a title merged in the Crown becomes dormant—its existence is suspended but not extinguished, as the Sovereign, being the fount of all honour, cannot hold a peerage from themself.
The Barony of Brattleby, therefore, did not cease to exist in 1399. Rather, its exercise and dignity were held in suspension by the Crown for over six centuries, a unique status that preserved its ancient rights until the conditions for its modern revival were lawfully met and recognised.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The long history of the Barony of Brattleby, particularly its ability to withstand a 620-year dormancy, is aptly reflected in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of the lineage to endure such a profound historical hiatus, and the honour of its deep connection to the Crown, are the twin pillars of its identity.
During its dormancy, the barony’s territorial connection was maintained through the Duchy of Lancaster, whose own heraldry is deeply entwined with that of the Royal Arms of England. This royal association served as a constant, if quiet, reminder of the barony’s pedigree.
The revival of the title in the modern era gives new life to this history. It complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), symbolising a victory over the oblivion of time and affirming that a legacy of such substance can indeed be recalled to life.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The history of the Brattleby barony is inextricably linked with the history of the Crown. Understanding the 1399 merger is not simply an academic exercise; it is an act of respect for the lineage and for the unique constitutional journey that allowed for its revival today. It is our duty, *fortitudine et honore*, to serve as an open book and as faithful custodians of this remarkable nine-century story.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A legacy that endures over nine hundred years, weathering even a six-century pause, possesses a profound resilience. The revival of this dignity is a testament to the idea that what is true and honourable does not simply vanish. In a sense, its return represents a victory over historical oblivion and demonstrates the very essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the long and complex history of the barony is comprehensively documented and made accessible. This clarification is the first of several planned communications intended to illuminate specific aspects of the barony’s past.
Future initiatives will include supporting scholarly research into the barony’s medieval period, particularly its administration under the Duchy of Lancaster. Furthermore, historical case studies on its most notable holders, from the warrior Nichola de la Haye to the great statesman John of Gaunt, will form part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
Through these endeavours, the House seeks to honour the barony’s past while fulfilling its modern obligations of service, education, and the faithful preservation of its distinguished heritage.
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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 nine-hundred-year-old Anglo-Norman heritage. The House’s modern mission is centred on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation focused on providing support for children affected by trauma. The House also sponsors The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which promotes the enduring values of decorum and civil discourse. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the belief that historical legacy carries a profound responsibility for service in the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as being under the authority of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of major historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. In 1399, the barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de jure uxoris*), a key defender of Lincoln Castle, 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