# A Statement on the Historical Merger of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown in 1399
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement reflecting upon the year 1399, when the Barony of Brattleby merged with the Crown, initiating a period of dormancy that would last for over six centuries.
## The Occasion
From its Seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment to pause and reflect upon a pivotal juncture in its long history. As autumn descends upon the ancient fields of Lincolnshire, a season often associated with passage and remembrance, the House presents a formal acknowledgement of the 620-year period during which the Barony lay dormant. This communication serves not as a celebration of loss, but as an act of historical stewardship.
The issuance of such a statement underscores the House’s commitment to transparency and its duty to chronicle its own remarkable journey. In an age of rapid change, the careful study of the past provides a *sine qua non* for understanding the foundations of the present. This formal reflection is an integral part of the Barony’s revival, ensuring its story is told with the accuracy and dignity it commands.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, enjoyed an unbroken line of succession for over three hundred years. Its holders, from Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, were central figures in the fabric of English mediaeval life.
This continuity was profoundly altered in 1399. The 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, had passed away. His son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke, later King Henry IV, successfully claimed the English throne from Richard II. Upon Henry’s accession, his subsidiary titles, *inter alia*, the Barony of Brattleby, merged with the Crown. This legal principle ensures that the Sovereign does not hold peerages from themself. Consequently, the title ceased to be exercised, entering a state of dormancy that would render it silent through the Wars of the Roses, the Reformation, and the dawn of the modern era.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1399 were shaped by some of the most consequential figures in English history, with the Barony of Brattleby at the nexus of their dynastic ambitions. The lineage of this period reads as a roll call of the high mediaeval peerage.
The key personages included the 11th Baron, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and a powerful statesman. His predecessor as Baron of Brattleby, His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, was one of England's most revered soldiers and diplomats. The title's fate was ultimately sealed by King Henry IV, who, as the 12th Baron *de jure*, carried the dignity with him upon his assumption of the throne, thereby absorbing it into the Crown itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The merger of a peerage with the Crown is a matter of established constitutional protocol, not arbitrary action. When a peer accedes to the throne, their lesser titles are not extinguished but are subsumed by the ultimate dignity of the Sovereign. This is distinct from a title falling into abeyance, which typically occurs with baronies by writ where there are multiple female co-heirs.
The Barony of Brattleby’s merger in 1399 followed this precise protocol. As the Dukedom of Lancaster and its associated lordships were held by Henry IV at the moment he became King, they became one with his royal authority. For the next 620 years, the rights and dignities of the Barony remained vested in the sovereign, unexercised but legally intact, awaiting a time when The Crown might see fit to call the title out of its long slumber.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring story of the Barony is encapsulated in the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It speaks to the resilience required to withstand centuries of dormancy and the honour inherent in reviving a legacy of service. This fortitude is the bedrock upon which the modern House is built, respecting the past while confidently addressing the future.
Complementing the ancient motto is that of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This personal motto symbolises the dynamic and forward-looking spirit of the revived House. It represents not a conquest of arms, but the overcoming of historical silence and the vibrant pursuit of a renewed purpose in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A deep understanding of history informs the House’s present-day responsibilities. The 620-year silence of the Barony serves as a powerful reminder that privilege is transient, while duty is constant. This principle of *noblesse oblige* is the driving force behind the House’s philanthropic endeavours today.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, directs all its proceeds to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. Likewise, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest was established as an etiquette academy to foster social grace and cross-cultural understanding. These initiatives give tangible expression to the House’s motto, translating historical honour into contemporary service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical moment, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To look back at 1399 is to appreciate the immense sweep of history and our small place within it. The dormancy was not an end but a long pause. Our duty now is to honour those nine centuries of heritage by ensuring the Barony serves a meaningful purpose for the next nine.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “History has entrusted us with a profound responsibility. Our focus is on building a legacy of positive impact that is as enduring as the title itself. Through our charitable work and cultural initiatives, we seek to live up to the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* — to truly live by overcoming challenges and serving our communities.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony’s revival formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, the Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a future of active contribution. The line of succession is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring seamless continuity.
The House will continue its work documenting and sharing its unique history, contributing to the rich tapestry of Lincolnshire and the nation. Above all, it reaffirms its commitment to the philanthropic and cultural missions that now define its purpose. The long silence has ended, and a new chapter of service, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, has begun.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principles of heritage, service, and cultural diplomacy. Seated in Lincolnshire, the House focuses its philanthropic efforts on child welfare and mental health through its support for beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to promote education and cross-cultural understanding. The House’s mission is to translate its ancient legacy into a tangible, positive impact for contemporary society, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and a deep respect for its nine-hundred-year history.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For over three centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the title merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and lay dormant for 620 years. Its revival in the 21st century was formally acknowledged by The Crown through a notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID: 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby for Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where Colswein of Lincoln is listed as its first holder. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th 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