# On the Historical Dormancy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 11 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an historical statement concerning the Barony of Brattleby, detailing the unique circumstances of its 620-year dormancy following the accession of King Henry IV and its consequential merger with the Crown in 1399.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has taken this occasion to provide scholarly clarity on a pivotal moment in the Barony's near-millennial history. This statement, drawn from the House's archives and extensive historical records, seeks to illuminate a complex but significant chapter for the benefit of historians, scholars of the peerage, and the public.
The act of issuing such a clarification is considered by the House to be a fundamental duty of stewardship. It ensures that the long and storied lineage of the Barony, from its Norman foundation to its modern restitution, is understood with accuracy and due respect for the historical forces that shaped it.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by His Majesty King William I in AD 1066, stands as one of England’s most ancient dignities. Its history is woven deeply into the fabric of the nation. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a legacy of significant regional power.
Through the centuries, the Barony passed to figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. By the 14th century, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
It was during the tenure of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, that the Barony’s fate became inextricably linked with the Royal House. Upon the Duke’s death, his son, Henry Bolingbroke, eventually acceded to the throne as His Majesty King Henry IV in 1399. This royal accession proved to be a momentous turning point for the Barony of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the Barony’s dormancy is shaped by some of the most prominent figures in English history, whose actions and successions directly influenced its path. The principal actors in this historical chapter include:
* His Majesty King William I, who established the Barony following the Norman Conquest. * Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder in post-Conquest England. * Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby, a powerful figure in the time of King John and King Henry III. * Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier and diplomat. * John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and a pre-eminent statesman. * His Majesty King Henry IV, whose ascent to the throne initiated the Barony’s merger with the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dormancy of the Barony was precipitated not by decree, but by the established legal and constitutional doctrine of merger. In English peerage law, when the holder of a lesser dignity (such as a barony) accedes to a greater one — in this case, the Crown itself — the lesser title is said to 'merge in the Crown'.
This principle holds that the Sovereign, as the fount of all honour (*fons honorum*), cannot hold a title from themselves. Consequently, upon Henry Bolingbroke’s accession as King Henry IV, the Duchy of Lancaster, and with it the Barony of Brattleby, became vested in the Monarch. The Barony's individual identity was subsumed into the overarching dignity of the Crown, where it remained dormant for over six centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring story of the Barony is encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the resilience required to withstand such a long period of dormancy and the honour with which the House now carries out its historical and philanthropic duties.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the proactive and energetic spirit with which the modern House has embraced its revived role, ensuring the Barony is not merely a relic of history but a living institution contributing to contemporary society. The Barony itself remains a potent symbol of lineal continuity in England.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical statement is primarily an act of public record, it reflects the House’s wider commitment to education and clarity, which it views as a form of social philanthropy. By demystifying a complex point of constitutional history, the House performs a service for the public record, akin to its more tangible charitable work.
This commitment to service is most prominently expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the House's yearly calendar. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this unique historical position, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> “To be the custodian of a title held by John of Gaunt is a profound responsibility. The 620-year dormancy is not a void in our history; rather, it is a chapter defined by the Crown itself. Our duty today, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure this legacy is understood, respected, and carried forward with purpose.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History has entrusted us with an extraordinary inheritance. Our role is to animate this legacy, ensuring the principles of service and honour demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye are not just remembered, but actively practiced. We believe profoundly that *Vincere Est Vivere* — that to truly live is to strive and to contribute.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the Barony's second millennium is one of active contribution. This historical clarification is part of a wider programme to document and share the heritage of the Barony, with further academic collaborations and archival publications planned for the future.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is being undertaken with a deep appreciation for this long history and the duties that accompany it. The House will continue its work through its philanthropic initiatives and the educational mission of its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, translating nine centuries of heritage into a meaningful modern legacy.
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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 most ancient noble lines. With its seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends its deep English heritage with a Continental perspective, dedicated to the principles of 'Fortitudine et Honore' ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural ambassadorship, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable endeavours support the well-being of vulnerable children, notably through its annual fundraising for the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, and it promotes cultural education through its proprietary etiquette institution, The Brattleby Club.
**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. It is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a thousand years, its holders have included some of the most significant figures in the nation’s history, among them Nichola de la Haye, a defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. Following the accession of King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown and remained dormant for 620 years. Its revival in the 21st century was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the official public record, *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable medieval holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III, and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the first Duke of Lancaster. - 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