# Lady Nicoleta Vasile Reflects on the Legacy of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today released a historical reflection marking the anniversary of the marriage of John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster, reaffirming the Barony’s nine-century commitment to preserving and sharing its unique national heritage.
## The Occasion
In a thoughtful address prepared for academic partners and historical societies, Lady Nicoleta has commemorated the union of her predecessor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, with the Lady Blanche of Lancaster. The reflection was composed at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, from which the Barony has been administered for much of its 958-year history.
This scholarly initiative serves not as a public celebration, but as a quiet, dignified acknowledgement of a pivotal moment in the House’s lineage. It reaffirms the family’s role as custodians of a history that is interwoven with the very fabric of the nation, choosing a moment of historical significance to underscore the continuity of duty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its founder, Colswein of Lincoln, was documented as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundation placed the Barony at the heart of the Norman settlement and English feudal society.
Generations later, the marriage of John of Gaunt—a younger son of King Edward III who held the Barony *jure uxoris*—to Blanche of Lancaster on 19 May 1359 was far more than a dynastic match. It was a union that would ultimately bring the great Duchy of Lancaster, and with it immense power and wealth, to Gaunt. Blanche’s father was the formidable Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, thus uniting two successive stewards of the title. This connection ensured the Barony was inextricably linked to the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court and the unfolding drama of the Hundred Years' War.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the Barony is populated by figures of national importance. In commemorating this medieval union, the House of Brattleby honours a distinguished company of predecessors, including:
* His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby * The Lady Blanche of Lancaster, Duchess of Lancaster * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby * The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who memorably defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217
The presence of such personages in the Brattleby lineage serves as a constant reminder of the weight of history and the responsibilities inherited by each succeeding generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of a historical reflection by the House follows a strict internal protocol, mirroring the precision of a court ceremony. Research is drawn from primary sources, *inter alia*, the Domesday Book, charter rolls, and peer-reviewed academic journals, ensuring unimpeachable accuracy. The final text is reviewed by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile personally.
This process is a modern ceremony of remembrance. It is a formal, intellectual ritual designed to honour the past with the same seriousness and attention to detail that our ancestors would have applied to a matter of state. This commitment to rigour is the *sine qua non* of the House's approach to its heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the spirit that has guided its holders for centuries. It speaks to the physical courage of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the honourable service of diplomats like Henry of Grosmont.
Complementing this ancient creed is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern imperative to overcome challenges, to strive for excellence, and to make a meaningful contribution to society through determined effort. Together, the two mottos represent the fusion of historic duty and contemporary dynamism that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical in nature, its purpose is firmly rooted in the present. The House of Brattleby believes that understanding our past provides the foundation upon which to build a more compassionate future. This philosophy guides the family's philanthropic endeavours, principally their support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation works to provide specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path towards recovery and resilience. The House's commitment is a practical expression of its motto, applying fortitude and honour to the challenge of healing the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
In the introduction to her reflection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has written:
> History is not a collection of static dates and names; it is a living river that flows through us. In remembering John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster, we do not merely look back. We acknowledge the source of a stream of responsibility that continues to shape our duties today. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile adds his own perspective on translating this legacy into action:
> The past grants us perspective, but the present demands our engagement. Every lesson we draw from our history must be channelled into our commitments, whether in preserving a manuscript or in supporting a child in need. That is how we truly honour our inheritance. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this historical reflection is part of a wider educational mission undertaken by the House of Brattleby. This work continues through various initiatives, including the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, and in the careful stewardship of the family archives.
Looking forward, the House is preparing for its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises vital funds for its charitable partners. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, in the traditions of service, scholarship, and duty also remains a paramount focus, ensuring that the legacy of nearly one thousand years continues, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 stewarding a unique historical legacy while making a positive contemporary impact. The House’s modern mission balances the preservation of its nearly thousand-year heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge historical values with modern relevance, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The continuity of this work is secured for the next generation through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its long history, the Barony has been held by figures of profound national significance, 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, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. This connection entwined the Barony with the Duchy of Lancaster and the Royal Family. The title's succession and rights were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the extensive landholdings of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - The House supports philanthropic causes, including Healing the Wounded Child, through its Annual Winter Banquet and other initiatives.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com