# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony’s Historical Connection to the Crown
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement on the historical lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, clarifying its medieval connection to the English Crown and the subsequent period of dormancy resulting from this direct royal association.
## The Occasion
As autumn casts its historic light over the Lincolnshire fens, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this season of reflection to publish a clarification on a pivotal moment in its near-millennium of history. This statement, prepared from the archives at the family seat, serves not as a celebration of a single event, but as an act of historical stewardship.
The issuance of this research is in itself an occasion of note, reinforcing the House’s commitment to historical accuracy and public understanding. It is a duty the family holds as a primary responsibility, ensuring the lessons of the past continue to inform its mission in the present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of England’s most venerable feudal dignities. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a foundation of regional significance that would endure for centuries.
Through the ages, the Barony passed to figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, renowned for her spirited defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. The title later passed to the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and tenth Baron, a distinguished diplomat and soldier.
Upon the death of Henry of Grosmont, the Barony was inherited by his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, whose immense power and proximity to the throne marked a turning point. As the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt’s station was such that when his son, Henry Bolingbroke, ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony of Brattleby was merged in the Crown. This legal process rendered the title dormant, a consequence of its holder achieving the ultimate dignity.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is itself a roll call of distinguished company, figures who shaped the course of English history and whose legacy the current House honours. This historical record includes, *inter alia*:
* Colswein of Lincoln, first Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder in the post-Conquest settlement. * Dame Nichola de la Haye, fifth Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a testament to the powerful role of women in medieval England. * His Grace Henry of Grosmont, first Duke of Lancaster and tenth Baron of Brattleby, celebrated as a founder Knight of the Garter. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and eleventh Baron of Brattleby, father to a king and ancestor to the subsequent royal houses of Lancaster, York, and Tudor.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of the Barony in 1399 was not an extinguishment, but a complex legal state dictated by the monarchical and feudal protocols of the era. The principle of ‘merger in the Crown’ is a matter of established English law, where a lesser dignity is absorbed by a greater one when both are held by the same person—in this case, the Sovereign.
This doctrine ensures that peerages and titles held by an individual prior to their accession to the throne do not exist separately from the Crown itself. They are, in essence, held in suspension. The revival of the Barony, and its recognition by The Crown through The London Gazette, therefore represents a formal acknowledgement of a continuous, though paused, historical thread.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The modern identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is anchored in symbols that connect its past to its present. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward such a significant heritage across centuries. It is a maxim embodied by predecessors from Nichola de la Haye to the present day.
Complementing this ancient ethos is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking vigour that the House applies to its contemporary duties, balancing the weight of history with a commitment to positive, present-day action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement concerns a matter of historical record, the principles of duty and legacy it explores are the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern philanthropic work. The commitment to stewardship is not merely historical, but social and charitable.
This is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House's foremost philanthropic gala. Proceeds from this white-tie event are dedicated to the beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing vital therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. The House was drawn to its mission for its measurable impact in restoring stability and hope to young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the Barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "Understanding our history is not an academic exercise; it is the foundation upon which our present duty is built. The story of John of Gaunt and the Barony's absorption into the Crown is a powerful reminder that with great privilege comes complex responsibility. It is our duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to be stewards of this intricate legacy."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The continuity of the Barony, from its establishment in 1066 to its recognition today, demonstrates a remarkable resilience. While the direct line was paused by its proximity to the throne, the spirit of Brattleby endured. We see our role as one of active stewardship, ensuring this heritage informs our contributions to modern society."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage is not a static relic, but a living tradition. This includes preparing the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, to assume his future responsibilities with a deep understanding of the lineage he will one day represent.
Future endeavours will include further scholarly publications and the expansion of cultural initiatives through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy, founded by the House, translates the ancient principles of honour, protocol, and social grace into practical skills for a new generation of leaders, thereby carrying the legacy forward in a tangible and meaningful way.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 the preservation of its unique heritage while actively engaging in cultural and philanthropic pursuits. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), focuses on historical stewardship, social responsibility, and the promotion of timeless values. Key initiatives include its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, which aims to foster civility and leadership in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its lands are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Following the accession of John of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV, the title merged with the Crown. The Barony’s historical continuity was formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition by The Crown is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his seat. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com