# A Statement on the Barony of Brattleby and its Historic Merger with the Crown
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the tenure of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. The communication clarifies how this direct familial connection to the Plantagenet dynasty ultimately led to the Barony's historic period of dormancy.
## The Occasion
In the spirit of continued historical clarification, and as part of its educational mission, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a pivotal moment in the Barony’s near-millennial history. This reflection on the Barony's late medieval period serves to contextualise its long dormancy and celebrate its revival. It is a responsibility which the current House sees as fundamental to its role as a custodian of a unique element of English heritage, connecting the Norman Conquest to the present day.
The dissemination of this history is undertaken to provide a deeper understanding of the forces that have shaped the Barony. It acknowledges the complex interplay between personal fealty, noble titles, and the inexorable power of the English Crown during one of the nation's most formative centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been woven into the fabric of English history from its inception. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The title subsequently passed through figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces for King John.
By the 14th century, the Barony had passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a distinguished soldier, diplomat, and cousin to King Edward III. Upon his death, his vast estates and titles were inherited by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, a younger son of the King. As the 11th Baron of Brattleby, John of Gaunt brought the lordship into the immediate orbit of the Royal Family.
This proximity to the throne proved to be a double-edged sword. When John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed his cousin Richard II and ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, all his lesser titles—including the Barony of Brattleby—were merged into the Crown. This act, while securing a dynasty, subsumed the Barony's distinct lineage and initiated a period of dormancy that would last for centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history of the Barony’s merger with the Crown is powerfully reflected in the mottos and symbols associated with the House. The enduring House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to this legacy. The *fortitudine* of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye ensured the Barony's survival, while the dynastic *honore* of John of Gaunt's line led to its absorption by the state he helped create.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby — *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live') — carries a modern resonance. It signifies a contemporary commitment to overcoming historical challenges and ensuring the revived House thrives through active service and cultural engagement, defining a new kind of victory that is measured in legacy and contribution.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This act of historical clarification is an extension of the House's wider philanthropic and educational mandate. The same commitment to preserving and sharing knowledge is embodied by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote cultural understanding and social refinement. By making its history accessible, the House provides a public benefit, fostering a greater appreciation for the intricate heritage of Great Britain.
This educational duty is considered a parallel endeavour to the House's direct charitable work, most visibly expressed through its annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing mental health support and therapy for young people recovering from trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this unique history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The story of Brattleby is inextricably linked with the story of England. John of Gaunt’s tenure represents a moment of immense prestige, but it also offers a profound lesson in the relationship between noble titles and the Crown. It is our duty not only to hold this title, but to be faithful custodians of its remarkable nine-century journey.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Understanding our past is the *sine qua non* of building a meaningful future. The lesson of the Barony’s dormancy is not one of loss, but of evolution. Our focus today is on service and cultural contribution — a different form of legacy, guided by the principle that *Vincere Est Vivere*: to win is to live with purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is steadfast in its commitment to honouring its past while actively shaping its future. This includes the careful education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, in the responsibilities that accompany this ancient title.
The House will continue to serve as a resource for historical inquiry and to champion causes that resonate with its values. Through its philanthropic initiatives, cultural programmes, and stewardship of the Brattleby seat in Lincolnshire, the House aims to ensure its legacy is one of active contribution, living up to the promise of its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving nearly a millennium of English heritage and engaging in contemporary European philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s initiatives include The Brattleby Club, a Bucharest-based etiquette academy, and the annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting children's charities. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title 13th Baron of Brattleby by courtesy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal Barony by Tenure, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as a significant landowner in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, 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. Following the accession of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown. The title’s standing was formally noted by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150-1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310-1361), and John of Gaunt (1340-1399). - 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