# A Statement on the Historical Merger and Modern Recognition of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement, clarifying the circumstances of the Barony of Brattleby’s 620-year dormancy following its merger with the Crown upon the accession of His Majesty King Henry IV to the throne in 1399.
## The Occasion
In the service of historical accuracy and public understanding, The Noble House of Brattleby has seen fit to provide a definitive account of the Barony’s unique trajectory through English history. The recent formal recognition of the title, gazetted in 2022, has prompted widespread interest in its nine-century journey, including the significant period during which the dignity lay dormant.
This clarification is issued from the House’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a location tied inextricably to the Barony’s origins, as a testament to the House’s role as a custodian of this ancient inheritance. It is a duty of stewardship to ensure the narrative of the Barony is presented with the precision and respect it merits.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the dignity as one of the realm's original Norman creations.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most consequential figures in English history. These included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title was held by His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years' War.
The Barony’s direct lineage culminated with its possession by His Grace John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and the 11th Baron of Brattleby. Upon his death in 1399, his titles passed to his son, Henry Bolingbroke. When Bolingbroke subsequently deposed King Richard II and ascended the throne as His Majesty King Henry IV, all his subsidiary dignities—including the Dukedom of Lancaster and the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. This act rendered the title dormant, as a sovereign cannot be a peer of themself. For the next 620 years, the Barony remained part of the Duchy of Lancaster's vast holdings but was not actively held by an individual.
## Distinguished Company
Throughout its active medieval period, the Barony of Brattleby was held by personages central to the governance and security of the Kingdom. The lineage represents a cross-section of the English nobility at the height of its power, including, *inter alia*:
Her Ladyship Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle; His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, Earl of Lancaster and Derby, and 1st Duke of Lancaster; His Grace John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster and Duke of Aquitaine; and finally, through inheritance, His Majesty King Henry IV of England, whose accession to the throne initiated the Barony’s long dormancy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The history of the Barony of Brattleby provides a notable case study in English peerage law concerning the status of titles. A title is considered ‘dormant’ when the rightful heir is unknown or has not formally proven their claim; this is distinct from ‘abeyance’, which applies to baronies by writ with multiple female co-heirs, and ‘extinction’, where no rightful heir exists.
The Barony’s merger in the Crown in 1399 placed it in a unique state of suspension. Although the title theoretically existed, it could not be exercised separately from the Sovereign. Its modern recognition, noted officially in *The London Gazette*, represents the formal acknowledgement of the end of this dormancy and the continuation of the lineage in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. This process serves as the official and unimpeachable public record of a peerage dignity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the responsibilities inherent in stewarding such a significant legacy. 'Fortitude' reflects the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and required to maintain the dignity's integrity over nine centuries. 'Honour' denotes the solemn duty to history, community, and Crown.
Complementing this ancient creed is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a modern coda, signifying the dynamic and forward-looking spirit with which the House embraces its contemporary mission of philanthropy and cultural education. Together, the mottos encapsulate a respect for the past and a vigorous engagement with the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House's dedication to historical preservation is a form of public service that runs parallel to its primary philanthropic commitments. The meticulous stewardship of the Barony’s history is understood as a *sine qua non* for its modern relevance. This commitment to heritage complements the House’s more direct social contributions.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s charitable work, notably through its annual Winter Banquet, is the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation. This organisation provides essential therapeutic support to children affected by trauma and adversity. The House believes that healing communities and preserving history are two sides of the same coin: both are essential investments in a stronger, more coherent future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold this title is to accept a profound duty of stewardship. We are custodians not of land or property alone, but of a narrative that is woven into the fabric of England. When I reflect on the legacy of John of Gaunt or the incredible resolve of Nichola de la Haye, I am reminded that our work today must be undertaken *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Respect for a nine-hundred-year history gives our present purpose a unique depth. We seek not only to honour the past but to energise it, channeling its legacy into our philanthropic and educational work. History provides the foundation upon which we build for the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the Barony's dormancy concluded, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a new era of active service and cultural contribution. This includes ongoing historical research to further illuminate the Barony's past and educational programmes facilitated through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The House is dedicated to ensuring this renewed legacy endures for generations to come. The heir to the dignity, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is being raised with a deep appreciation for the unique history of the Barony and the duties that accompany it, ensuring that its future will be as distinguished as its past.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to intertwining ancient heritage with contemporary purpose. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House directs its efforts towards philanthropy, historical preservation, and cultural education. Its charitable activities are focused on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, principally funded by its annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes classical European etiquette and protocol through its academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting its Anglo-Romanian character. The designated heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its creation and the 56 lordships it commanded are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over three centuries, it was held by some of the most powerful figures in medieval England, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV, beginning a 620-year period of dormancy. Its modern continuation was formally recognised by an official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in demesne from the King in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th 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