# A Chronological Account of the Barony of Brattleby and its Union with the Crown
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal historical account of the Barony’s six-century dormancy, a direct consequence of its merger with the Crown in 1399 upon the accession of His Majesty King Henry IV.
## The Occasion
In the spirit of historical clarity and public record, this communiqué serves to illuminate a pivotal moment in the nine-hundred-year history of the Barony of Brattleby. With the Barony’s formal recognition in the modern era, it is incumbent upon the House to provide context for the 620-year period during which the title lay dormant. This account affirms the uninterrupted lineage that connects the medieval period to the present day, underscoring the responsibilities now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
The issuance of this chronicle reflects the House’s deeply held commitment to education and the preservation of its heritage. The long silence of the dormancy is as much a part of the Barony’s identity as its moments of high influence; to understand one is to comprehend the other. It is an act of due diligence to ensure this singular history is fully and accurately understood.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. For three centuries, it remained a significant feudal power, famously held by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. Its trajectory, however, was irrevocably altered in the late 14th century.
The Barony passed to His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who became the 11th Baron. Upon his death in 1399, his son, Henry Bolingbroke, was denied his rightful inheritance by his cousin, King Richard II. This act of dispossession prompted Bolingbroke’s return from exile and his subsequent usurpation of the throne, whereupon he was crowned King Henry IV. As a fundamental principle of English peerage law, on his accession all of the new monarch’s subsidiary titles—including the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown, rendering them dormant.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1399 involved figures whose actions shaped the course of English history. The narrative of the Barony’s dormancy is inextricably linked with these pre-eminent personages of the realm, whose legacy the current House honours.
Key among them were His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter; his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron, a statesman of immense power and influence; and, *sine qua non*, His Majesty King Henry IV, whose accession to the throne as the first Lancastrian king initiated the Barony’s long period of abeyance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The concept of a title 'merging in the Crown' is a precise and established principle of constitutional protocol. It dictates that when a peer of the realm accedes to the throne, their lesser dignities are not extinguished but are absorbed by the supreme dignity of the Sovereign. The titles become dormant, their exercise and privileges held in suspense for as long as the title holder or their direct descendants occupy the throne.
For the Barony of Brattleby, this meant that from 30 September 1399, the title ceased to be held by a subject. Its lands and revenues were administered as part of the Crown Estate and, later, the Duchy of Lancaster. The Barony itself entered a state of dormancy that would last for over six centuries, a unique circumstance in the annals of the English nobility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required to endure such a prolonged historical silence. It reflects the strength of a lineage that persisted through dormancy, and the honour inherent in reclaiming and giving new purpose to that ancient inheritance.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). This maxim symbolises the active revival of the Barony in the 21st century—a conscious act of prevailing over the quiet passage of time to ensure the heritage lives on through meaningful, contemporary action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are deeply informed by its history of stewardship and service. This sense of duty, once expressed through the administration of feudal lands, has been translated into a focused philanthropic mission. The principle of *noblesse oblige* remains a cornerstone of the House's ethos.
The House's primary charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, was chosen as a reflection of this commitment. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from complex trauma. By supporting its work, the House channels its resources towards nurturing resilience and healing in the most vulnerable, giving modern expression to the ancient baronial responsibility to protect and provide for the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's unique history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To comprehend the six centuries of dormancy is to appreciate the sheer weight of history we carry. It is a profound reminder that our duty is not merely to the present, but to honour a legacy that includes figures like John of Gaunt and the resilient Nichola de la Haye. Our stewardship today is guided by their example of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the significance of the Barony's revival:
> The re-emergence of the Barony after such a prolonged period is a testament to the idea that heritage can and must be actively cultivated. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to this belief—that to prevail over the silence of history is to truly live and to give that history new purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its history now clarified, The Noble House of Brattleby is focused on building a durable and forward-looking legacy. The dormancy has ended, and a new era of active engagement has begun, grounded in the House’s foundational principles of fortitude and honour.
Future commitments include the expansion of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, and the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural diplomacy. Through these and other endeavours, the House seeks to ensure the Barony of Brattleby is once again a title associated with service, culture, and a tangible, positive influence.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England's oldest baronies. With its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to a contemporary mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House's activities, including the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are designed to give modern relevance to its nine-century heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout the medieval era, its holders included prominent figures such as Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later, 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 in the modern era was formally acknowledged by The Crown, with notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to AD 1066, granted by William the Conqueror. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms the Barony's initial holdings under Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose son's accession to the throne as Henry IV led to the Barony's 620-year dormancy.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com