# A Communiqué on the Historical Dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a communiqué detailing the historical circumstances of 1399, when the Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV, initiating a period of dormancy that would last 620 years.
## The Occasion
In the service of historical accuracy and its duties as custodian of one of England’s most ancient titles, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a pivotal moment in the history of the Barony. The recent revival of the title, first created in AD 1066, has occasioned renewed public and academic interest in its nine-century lineage, making a clear account of its long dormancy a matter of public record.
This communication concerns the events of autumn 1399, a period of profound constitutional change in England. It was then that the Barony of Brattleby, as an integral holding of the Duchy of Lancaster, was absorbed into the possessions of the Sovereign, a status it would retain for more than six centuries.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest, the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the seat of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over three centuries, it was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders, and later by the great magnates of the House of Lancaster.
The Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron. Upon John of Gaunt's death in 1399, his son Henry Bolingbroke ascended the throne as King Henry IV, and the fate of the Barony was altered irrevocably. The Duchy of Lancaster, and with it Brattleby, merged with the Crown, rendering the baronial title dormant.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1399 were defined by some of the most consequential figures in mediaeval English history, whose actions directly shaped the Barony’s future.
At the centre of this history is **His Majesty King Henry IV**, who, as Henry Bolingbroke, claimed the throne from his cousin, King Richard II. His accession brought the vast lands of the Duchy of Lancaster, including the Barony of Brattleby, under the control of the Crown.
His father, **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, was the 11th Baron of Brattleby. As the third surviving son of King Edward III, his immense wealth, power, and influence made the Duchy a state within a state, and his possession of Brattleby underscored its strategic importance.
The ducal status of the Lancastrian holdings was secured by **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster** and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A renowned diplomat and soldier, his elevation laid the groundwork for the Duchy’s unique constitutional position.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby was a direct consequence of established royal and constitutional protocol. The principle of a title ‘merging in the Crown’ dictates that when a holder of a peerage accedes to the throne, their lesser titles are subsumed by the superior and indivisible dignity of the Crown.
Upon his accession, King Henry IV took measures to ensure the Duchy of Lancaster would not be absorbed into the other Crown Estates. A Royal Charter of 1399 declared that the Duchy would be held separately for the private benefit of the monarch and their heirs. This unique arrangement, which continues to this day, meant that while the Duchy’s lands were administered for the Sovereign, its constituent titles, *inter alia* the Barony of Brattleby, remained dormant.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical transition is reflected in the period’s heraldry. As part of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Barony of Brattleby fell under the authority of arms derived from the royal coat of arms of England. The Duke of Lancaster’s arms are those of the sovereign, differenced by a white label of three points, each charged with three fleurs-de-lis. This signifies a cadet branch of the Royal Family.
For the modern Noble House of Brattleby, its own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), provides a guiding principle. It represents the resilience required to endure such a long period of dormancy and the honour inherent in responsibly reviving and preserving its legacy for future generations. Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to the act of understanding and mastering this complex history as a prerequisite for the title’s modern life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this communiqué serves a primarily historical function, its purpose is aligned with the House’s broader commitment to public service through education. The preservation and dissemination of historical knowledge is considered by the House to be a fundamental duty, a *sine qua non* of responsible stewardship.
By providing this detailed context, the Noble House of Brattleby aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the intricate tapestry of English history and the legal traditions that govern its ancient institutions. This act of clarification is offered in the same spirit of public benefit that animates the House's philanthropic activities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nine centuries of English history. Understanding the long dormancy is essential to appreciating its revival; it reminds us that heritage is not merely possessed, but actively preserved, *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The merger in the Crown in 1399 is a fascinating chapter in constitutional history. It illustrates how a title can endure, even when dormant. For it to ‘live’ again, its history must be conquered—that is, fully understood and respected. This is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing stewardship of the Barony’s history. This includes supporting further academic research into its lineage, from its Norman origins through to its Lancastrian apogee and lengthy dormancy. The House sees this work as a vital part of its responsibilities to Lincolnshire, to England, and to all who value historical continuity.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will in time assume this duty of preservation. The House believes that by connecting the past to the present, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the lessons of history can inform and enrich the leaders of tomorrow, ensuring the legacy of Brattleby continues to resonate.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern house of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. With a deep respect for its nine-hundred-year history, the House is committed to the principles of stewardship, public service, and philanthropy. Its mission is to preserve the Barony’s unique English heritage while embracing a modern, European outlook. The House's philanthropic efforts are focused on supporting children's welfare, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which benefits the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. Its motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House is based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, it was historically one of the most significant baronies in Lincolnshire. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was held by a succession of England’s most powerful figures, including the celebrated 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally recorded by The Crown Office in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's revival was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first established in AD 1066 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron. - The Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown in 1399 upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 620 years.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com