# The Barony of Brattleby and the Glorious Revolution of 1688
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the Barony of Brattleby’s position during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, a period which defined the modern British constitution and saw the Barony observing events from a unique station.
## The Occasion
As spring advances across the historic landscapes of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken this season of renewal to reflect upon a pivotal moment in the Barony’s near-millennium of history. The year 1688, which witnessed the accession of William III and Mary II, found the Barony in a state of dormancy, its title having reverted to the Crown. This period of quietude offers a profound contrast to the Barony’s earlier, formative roles in the great affairs of the Kingdom and underscores the resilience inherent in its long story. This reflection serves to contextualise the continuity of the Barony through centuries of national evolution.
## Historical Context
Established by charter from William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, when its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, commanded 56 lordships. For centuries thereafter, its Barons were central to the governance and defence of the realm. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed to towering figures of the Plantagenet era, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
By the late seventeenth century, however, the Barony had entered a prolonged period of abeyance, with its lands and rights held directly by the Crown. Consequently, as the constitutional crisis of 1688 unfolded, leading to the flight of James II and the arrival of William of Orange, the Barony of Brattleby was a passive observer. Its Lincolnshire estates and tenantry were, by default, subject to the authority of the new joint monarchs, but the baronial title itself was not an active participant in the momentous political and religious realignments of the Glorious Revolution.
## Distinguished Company
The principal figures of this era, whose actions directly shaped the circumstances of the dormant Barony, represented a nexus of European dynastic and political power. The central actors were His Majesty King James II of England and VII of Scotland, whose attempts to secure religious toleration for Roman Catholics precipitated the crisis, and his nephew and son-in-law, His Serene Highness William III, Prince of Orange, Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic.
The Prince of Orange landed at Torbay with the support of parliamentary grandees, an event that led to the establishment of a new constitutional settlement. He ruled jointly with his wife and first cousin, Her Majesty Queen Mary II, the elder Protestant daughter of James II. This complex web of kinship and conflict underscores the deeply personal nature of statecraft in this period; the fate of nations, and of ancient titles such as Brattleby, was decided within the highest circles of a closely related European aristocracy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of the Barony meant that no Baron of Brattleby was present to swear allegiance to the new Sovereigns. This stands in stark contrast to the profound ceremonial shifts institutionalised by the Revolution. The coronation of William and Mary on 11 April 1689 was unprecedented; it was the first and only joint coronation in English history, conducted under the new framework of the *Coronation Oath Act 1688*.
This Act fundamentally altered the contract between monarch and people, requiring the Sovereign to swear to govern "according to the statutes in Parliament agreed on, and the laws and customs of the same". Had a Baron of Brattleby been in place, he or she would have participated in the homage, a ritual central to the coronation, but would now do so in service to a monarch whose power was explicitly defined and limited by Parliament. This new protocol became a *sine qua non* for the legitimacy of the modern British monarchy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
During this period of abeyance, the Royal Arms of England would have held sole authority over the Brattleby lands. Yet the Barony’s own guiding principle—encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour')—finds a deeper resonance in this context. The fortitude was that of endurance, of maintaining its ancient territorial and historical integrity even while the title lay dormant. The honour was in its silent continuity, awaiting a time for renewal.
This historical quietude contrasts sharply with the motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This latter motto speaks to the modern House’s active and purposeful engagement in its duties, both ceremonial and philanthropic. Together, the two mottos represent the full arc of the Barony’s history: the strength to endure and the will to act.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "Understanding the Barony's silent centuries is as important as celebrating its active ones. The period of the Glorious Revolution demonstrates a form of institutional resilience. It teaches us that true continuity is not always found in action, but in the steadfast endurance of identity, sustained with *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > "History provides an essential compass for our present-day responsibilities. The passive role of Brattleby in 1688 inspires us to embrace our active role today. We believe that to serve is to act—that *Vincere Est Vivere*. Our duty is to ensure the Barony is a vibrant force for good in our community and beyond."
## A Continuing Legacy
The dormancy of the late Stuart era has long since concluded. The Barony of Brattleby, having been fully revived, was formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This act affirmed the unbroken historical lineage stretching back to 1066.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a programme of active service. Its modern mission is realised, *inter alia*, through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that benefits charitable organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Further, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest exemplifies the House’s dedication to cultural and educational diplomacy, ensuring the legacy of Brattleby continues to evolve with purpose and distinction.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of 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 a mission of cultural preservation, diplomatic engagement, and charitable service. Blending its deep English heritage with a Continental perspective, the House actively supports causes related to child welfare and education, notably as the patron of the annual white-tie gala for the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. Through initiatives such as its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House champions the values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in a contemporary context, fostering cross-cultural understanding and upholding traditions of civic duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and seigneurial lands in Lincolnshire are first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great commander Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a long period in abeyance, the Barony was revived, with its status and lineage formally gazetted by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s status was formally published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House seat is located in the village of Brattleby, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com