# A Historical Statement on the Union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement clarifying the circumstances of the Barony’s 620-year period of abeyance. This dormancy began in 1399 when the title merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical accuracy and public understanding, The Noble House of Brattleby has moved to illuminate a pivotal moment in its nine-century history. Following the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival in *The London Gazette*, the House has noted increased public curiosity regarding the title’s long dormancy. This statement, prepared with reference to the family’s archives and scholarly sources, serves as a definitive account of the events which led to the Barony’s absorption into the Crown.
The clarification aligns with the House’s modern mission to act as a careful steward of its ancient heritage. This duty of stewardship extends beyond preservation to include education, ensuring that the remarkable chronicle of the Barony of Brattleby is shared with clarity, purpose, and a deep respect for the historical record.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of the few lordships to persist, in name and title, from the Norman Conquest to the present day. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant seat of power in the region.
Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by individuals of national importance who shaped English history. These included Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. It was John of Gaunt’s tenure that proved the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s subsequent fate.
Upon John of Gaunt’s death, his son, Henry Bolingbroke, was exiled and disinherited by King Richard II. Henry returned to England in 1399, ostensibly to reclaim his lands—which included the Duchy of Lancaster and the subsidiary Barony of Brattleby—but ultimately deposed the King and acceded to the throne as Henry IV. At the moment of his accession, all his hereditary titles merged with the Crown, placing the Barony of Brattleby into a state of dormancy that would last for over six centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the distinguished company of its holders, who were central to the political and military life of the kingdom. The lineage includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a significant landowner and tenant-in-chief in post-Conquest England. * **The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle, a formidable figure lauded for her loyalty to the Crown. * **The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby**, one of the founding Knights of the Garter and a celebrated soldier and diplomat of the Hundred Years' War. * **The Royal Prince John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby**, fourth son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster.
The legacy of these predecessors informs the modern House’s commitment to service and honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The absorption of the Barony of Brattleby into the Crown in 1399 was not an arbitrary act but a consequence of established feudal and constitutional protocol. As a barony by tenure, its possession was intrinsically linked to the land and the fealty owed by its holder to the monarch.
When a subject who holds a peerage title accedes to the throne, their lesser titles are said to "merge in the Crown". This legal principle ensures the monarch, as the fount of all honour, does not hold a title from themselves as a subject. Consequently, when Henry IV became King of England, his titles of Duke of Lancaster and Baron of Brattleby ceased to be distinct peerages and were subsumed by the sovereign dignity of the Crown itself. This placed the title into abeyance, where it remained dormant but not extinguished, held by the reigning monarch of the day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottoes, which serve as a tangible link to its history. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the defining qualities of its most notable predecessors. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in defending her castle and the honour with which Henry of Grosmont served his king are virtues the modern House strives to embody.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern commitment to overcoming adversity, thriving through diligent effort, and ensuring the successful continuation of the Barony’s legacy into the twenty-first century and beyond.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement marks a historical clarification rather than a specific charitable event, it is deeply connected to the House’s philanthropic ethos. The accurate stewardship of history is viewed as an act of public service and education, integral to building a society that understands its foundations. This educational mission is a parallel and complementary endeavour to the House's more direct charitable activities.
The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, for example, is a white-tie philanthropic gala that benefits organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic support to vulnerable children. In the same vein, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, promotes social discipline and cultural understanding. Both initiatives are rooted in the belief that structure, knowledge, and honour are essential for individual and societal well-being.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “It is a profound responsibility to serve as the custodian of a title borne by such pivotal figures in English history. The story of its dormancy and revival is not just a matter of family heritage; it is a narrative that belongs to the history of Lincolnshire and, indeed, of the nation. Our duty is to ensure this chronicle is told with the honour it deserves.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Barony’s history is a lesson in resilience. Its absorption into the Crown demonstrates its immense strategic importance in the medieval era. That it could be revived after six centuries is a testament to the principle that what is honourable endures. Our mission now, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to build a modern legacy worthy of that past.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing work of researching and sharing its unique history. Further publications drawn from archival research are planned, with the aim of providing greater insight into the lives and influence of the Barony’s holders.
This commitment to the past is matched by a dedication to the future. The House will continue to expand its philanthropic portfolio, with the Annual Winter Banquet remaining a cornerstone of its charitable calendar. Through these integrated efforts in historical preservation, education, and philanthropy, the House seeks to ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to be one of service, honour, and meaningful contribution to society.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its ancient nine-century heritage with a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and education. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children, while its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promote cultural and social refinement. The House is committed to serving the community and preserving its historical legacy for future generations with transparency and purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its feudal origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. For over 300 years, the Barony was held by some of the most powerful figures in England, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival in the 21st century was formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
* The revival of the Barony of Brattleby and the succession of the 12th Baroness were officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. * Notable predecessors in the title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). * The House's Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic gala benefiting organisations that support vulnerable children, such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com