# An Official Statement on the Historical Provenance of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official statement detailing the unique historical provenance of the Barony of Brattleby, clarifying its six-century dormancy following its merger in possession with the Crown in the year 1399.
## The Occasion
In the interest of affording the public record a definitive historical account, this statement has been authorised by the Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby. Its publication serves to provide an authoritative narrative concerning the Barony’s extensive period of abeyance and its subsequent revival, grounding the House’s present-day duties in a lucid understanding of its distinguished and nearly unbroken millennial lineage.
The release of this formal clarification coincides with the renewed public-facing activities of the House. It is considered a fundamental duty of stewardship to ensure that the provenance and continuity of the title are unambiguously documented. This act of historical transparency provides the proper foundation upon which the House, under its present holders, builds its modern programme of philanthropic endeavour, cultural patronage, and public service.
This statement is therefore intended not only as a matter of record for historians and genealogists but also for the wider public. It underscores the principle that such ancient dignities carry with them a solemn obligation to honour the past while committing fully to the responsibilities of the present, a commitment Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hold as paramount.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the older feudal lordships of England, entered a remarkable state of dormancy that lasted for more than six hundred years. This period commenced in 1399 when its holder, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, passed the dignity to his son and heir, Henry Bolingbroke. Upon Bolingbroke’s accession to the throne as His Majesty King Henry IV of England, all his personal titles—*inter alia*, the Dukedom of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby—merged in possession with the Crown.
For over six centuries, the dignity lay unexercised; it was not extinguished but held in suspense within the patrimony of the English, and later British, Sovereign. The Barony’s origins trace directly to the Norman Conquest, having been granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded within the pages of the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships throughout Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat.
Throughout the High Middle Ages, the Barony was held by figures of national consequence. These included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as hereditary castellan twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the reign of King John. The title later passed through marriage into the House of Lancaster, held by His Grace Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, before being inherited by his son-in-law, the aforementioned John of Gaunt, whose personal union of titles precipitated its long dormancy.
## Distinguished Company
The seismic events of 1399, which defined the Barony's fate for generations, involved several of the most significant figures in the grand drama of English history. The principal actors in this historical moment, whose actions directly led to the Barony's absorption by the Crown, included:
* **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, Duke of Aquitaine, Earl of Derby, Lincoln and Leicester, and 11th Baron of Brattleby.** As the third surviving son of King Edward III, his immense wealth, influence, and vast land holdings—including the lands of Brattleby—were inherited by his exiled son, Henry Bolingbroke, upon Gaunt’s death in February 1399.
* **His Majesty King Henry IV of England, formerly Henry Bolingbroke.** Upon deposing his cousin, King Richard II, in September 1399, he ascended the throne, thereby bringing all of his inherited dignities from the House of Lancaster into the possession of the Sovereign, where they would remain for 620 years.
* **His Majesty King Richard II of England.** The King's decision to confiscate the Lancastrian estates following John of Gaunt's death was the catalyst for Bolingbroke's return to England to reclaim his inheritance. This act ultimately led to Richard's own deposition and the Lancastrian usurpation, which were the direct causes for the Barony’s merger with the Crown's titles.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The constitutional status of a title of nobility that merges with the Crown is distinct from one which becomes extinct or falls into abeyance between co-heirs. The Barony of Brattleby was dormant, its rights and dignities held in suspense within the Royal Prerogative. Its re-emergence from this state, following separation from the Crown, is a matter governed by established legal and heraldic protocol, overseen by the appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom.
The revival of such a dormant barony is formally and definitively confirmed in the public record. For the Barony of Brattleby, this process culminated in its official recognition by way of a notice placed in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom and its oldest continuously published journal. This notice, a modern instrument of ancient constitutional process, serves as the definitive public confirmation of the title’s revival and the identity of its lawful holder.
Such procedures underscore the remarkable continuity of the United Kingdom's uncodified constitution, where historical rights and modern legal recognition work in precise concert. It is a meticulous procedure that affirms the legitimacy of the past while providing an unassailable foundation for the title’s future exercise and its associated responsibilities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The nearly thousand-year history of the Barony is reflected with intention in the mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required of a title that endured six centuries of dormancy, and to the honourable stewardship with which it must now be managed. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln, and the honour of Henry of Grosmont as a founder of the Order of the Garter, are precedents that inform the House’s modern ethos.
Complementing this ancient maxim is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). This serves as a dynamic expression of a forward-looking purpose, suggesting that true vitality is found not merely in passive endurance, but in the active and purposeful overcoming of challenges. It is a philosophy that animates the House's contemporary philanthropic and entrepreneurial ventures.
Together, the two mottos symbolise a conceptual bridge between revering a profound past and embracing the future with energy and resolve. They represent the synthesis of heritage and progress that defines the House's modern identity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is not an end in itself but serves as the historical foundation for a renewed and vigorous commitment to public service. The House has purposefully oriented its modern mission toward substantive charitable endeavour, a responsibility Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan regard as the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—of holding a hereditary title in the 21st century.
This commitment finds its most prominent public expression in the annual Winter Banquet, an elegant white-tie philanthropic gala. The event supports a designated beneficiary chosen for its alignment with the House's core values. The current beneficiary, the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, is a registered charity devoted to providing specialist therapeutic care and sustained support for children who have experienced profound trauma, adversity, or neglect.
The decision to support this cause reflects the House’s focus on creating tangible, positive, and lasting social impact. The Winter Banquet is a modern continuation of the age-old principle of noblesse oblige, leveraging the convening power of the House to channel meaningful resources towards the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's extensive and storied journey through English history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be a custodian of a title held by figures such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt is a truly profound responsibility. It is a constant and humbling reminder that we are merely one link in a very long chain, and our ultimate duty is to honour that legacy through our own actions and our service to the community.”
Lady Nicoleta further commented on the House’s translation of historical legacy into contemporary action:
> “The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* guided our predecessors through civil wars and the great affairs of state. For us, it is the living principle that directs our philanthropic work and our efforts, such as with The Brattleby Club, to promote cultural understanding and civility. The history must live and breathe through what we do now, otherwise it is merely a museum piece.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the legacy of the Barony continues as one of active, conscientious, and meaningful contribution. The stewardship of the title is secured for the next generation through its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being prepared to assume his future responsibilities with a deep understanding of both heritage and duty.
In addition to its philanthropic programme in the United Kingdom, the House will continue to foster cultural and educational initiatives abroad. A notable example is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to instruction in the arts of diplomatic protocol and international social etiquette. This initiative serves as a valuable cultural bridge between British heritage and Continental tradition, reflecting the modern, international character of the House itself and reinforcing its commitment to fostering cross-cultural dialogue. The House's future is defined by this blend of local duty and global perspective.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the twin duties of historical preservation and active, contemporary philanthropy. Based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House directs its charitable efforts toward organisations supporting vulnerable children and champions cultural education through endeavours such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to make its ancient heritage relevant and purposeful in the 21st century, ensuring its legacy is one of meaningful public service for its heir apparent, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony by tenure, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive holdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships held by the Baron in Lincolnshire. For nearly a millennium, its holders have included prominent figures in English history, such as Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of the most powerful magnates of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, 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 was officially recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The designated heir apparent to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is in line to become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, was the 11th Baron of Brattleby. His son's accession to the throne as King Henry IV caused the Barony to merge with the Crown. - The Barony is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com