# A Historical Statement on the Dormancy and Revival of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement concerning the accession of King Henry IV in 1399, an event that directly caused the Barony of Brattleby to merge with the Crown, initiating a dormant period of 620 years.
## The Occasion
In the tumultuous final year of the 14th century, the deposition of King Richard II and the subsequent accession of his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, as King Henry IV irrevocably altered the course of the English monarchy and its relationship with the great feudatories of the realm. This period of profound political change had a direct and lasting consequence for the ancient Barony of Brattleby, then a constituent part of the vast Duchy of Lancaster held by Henry’s father, John of Gaunt.
This formal reflection by the House of Brattleby serves to illuminate a pivotal moment in its nine-century history. It underscores how the fate of an ancient title, granted at the Norman Conquest, became inextricably linked to the dynastic fortunes of the Crown, effectively pausing its independent identity for more than six centuries.
## Historical Context
Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first granted to Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For three centuries, the title was passed through a line of distinguished figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, renowned for her defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217.
The barony’s trajectory shifted significantly when it was inherited by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War. At his death, the title passed via his daughter Blanche of Lancaster to her husband, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. As 11th Baron, John of Gaunt integrated Brattleby into the Duchy of Lancaster, the single greatest private estate in the kingdom. It was his son’s ascension to the throne that would merge this estate with the Crown itself.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1399 involved figures central to the history of the English Crown and, by extension, the Barony of Brattleby. The principal persons of the era included:
* His Majesty King Richard II, whose deposition created the political vacuum filled by his cousin. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine, who held the Barony of Brattleby as the 11th Baron by right of his wife. * His Majesty King Henry IV, formerly Henry Bolingbroke, whose claim to the throne was solidified by his control of the Duchy of Lancaster.
The legacy of these individuals demonstrates the intimate connection between the Barony of Brattleby and the Royal Family during the late Plantagenet period.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The accession of Henry IV was not a simple inheritance; it was a usurpation confirmed by Parliament. A crucial element of the settlement was the *Charter of the Duchy of Lancaster*, which decreed that the Duchy would not be merged with the other Crown Estates. Instead, it was to be held separately by the monarch and his heirs, inherited under its own distinct rules.
This unique legal arrangement meant that while the Duchy—and with it, the Barony of Brattleby—became the sovereign’s personal property, its subordinate titles ceased to be used independently. The monarch was Duke of Lancaster, but the lesser baronies within the Duchy, including Brattleby, fell into abeyance. This cessation of use, born of constitutional protocol, is the direct cause of the title’s 620-year dormancy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heraldry of the period offers a visual narrative of these events. The personal arms of John of Gaunt, and later Henry Bolingbroke, were the Royal Arms of England differenced by a *label of three points ermine*, signifying their status as Dukes of Lancaster. Upon Henry’s accession, this ducal shield was subsumed by the undifferenced Royal Arms of the sovereign.
For the House of Brattleby, its modern motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a bridge across this long dormancy. It reflects the resilience required to maintain a connection to a heritage that, for centuries, existed only in historical record and charter. It is the principle that guided its notable predecessors and inspires its current custodians.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Reflecting upon a 620-year cessation inspires a profound awareness of present-day duty. The long silence of the barony underscores the importance of active and purposeful stewardship in the modern era. Service, a *sine qua non* of nobility, was a privilege denied to the dormant title for centuries.
It is this historical lesson that animates the contemporary philanthropic mission of the House of Brattleby. The choice to support organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, a beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, is a direct expression of this renewed commitment. By dedicating its resources to the well-being of others, the House translates historical legacy into tangible, positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To know that this title was held by figures such as John of Gaunt and Henry of Grosmont is deeply humbling. It imparts not a sense of ownership, but of profound responsibility to honour their legacy and the six centuries of silence by making the barony a force for good once more.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “My personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'. In this context, the victory is over dormancy. We live by reviving this legacy through active service, ensuring the name of Brattleby is synonymous with honour and contribution in our own time.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby, formally acknowledged in The London Gazette by Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, marks not an end but a beginning. It is the formal resumption of a nine-hundred-year-old story of service to Lincolnshire and the wider nation.
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to continuing this legacy through its established charitable and cultural initiatives. These include the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which raises vital funds for children’s charities, and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and professional refinement. These endeavours ensure that the heritage of Brattleby, silent for so long, now contributes meaningfully to society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of *noblesse oblige*. Its contemporary mission is to honour a unique nine-century heritage through purposeful philanthropy, cultural preservation, and the promotion of diplomatic and commercial ties between the United Kingdom and Romania. Through initiatives like its annual philanthropic gala and The Brattleby Club, the House translates historical legacy into active, forward-looking service. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to principled leadership and enduring duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For centuries, the title was held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. Through him, the barony passed to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Upon the accession of his son as King Henry IV in 1399, the barony merged with the Crown as part of the Duchy of Lancaster, remaining dormant for 620 years. Its revival was formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of the fee of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Winter Banquet is the House's annual white-tie gala, with proceeds benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com