# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Union of the Barony with the Crown in 1399
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historical union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown in 1399, an event which placed the ancient peerage into a six-century dormancy following the ascension of King Henry IV.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of autumn, a season of reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to consider a pivotal moment in its long and storied history. On this occasion, the House looks back to the year 1399, when political upheaval in England fundamentally altered the destiny of the Barony of Brattleby. This was the year the barony merged with the Crown, its distinct identity subsumed within the royal demesne for over six hundred years.
This act of historical remembrance is not merely an academic exercise; it is a solemn duty for the current custodians of the title. It serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience, continuity, and responsibility that are the *sine qua non* of a House first established by charter of William the Conqueror. Understanding this long period of dormancy is essential to appreciating the significance of the barony’s revival in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, enjoyed an unbroken succession for more than three centuries. Its lineage contains some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *de jure uxoris* and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The barony's fate became inextricably linked with the throne through its 10th and 11th Barons.
Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, was one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War. Upon his death, the title passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the powerful third son of King Edward III. When John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, deposed his cousin King Richard II and ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, all his personal titles and estates — including the Duchy of Lancaster and, with it, the Barony of Brattleby — merged with the Crown. This event rendered the barony dormant, its narrative paused for 620 years until its modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this history, the House honours the distinguished company of its predecessors, whose lives shaped the course of the nation. The lineage begins with the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, a direct companion of the Conqueror who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
It proceeds through figures of immense strength and strategic import, such as Nichola de la Haye, who held Lincoln for the King against French and rebel forces. The barony's connection to the Plantagenet dynasty was cemented through Henry of Grosmont, a founding Knight of the Garter, and his celebrated son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose ambition and progeny defined the latter 14th century. To contemplate these figures is to survey a timeline of English governance, diplomacy, and warfare.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The merger of a peerage with the Crown is a rare and constitutionally significant event. When Henry IV became King, the Duchy of Lancaster was not absorbed into the wider Crown Estate but was kept separate, with its own chancellor and legal identity—a status it maintains to this day. The Barony of Brattleby, as a constituent part of the Duchy’s holdings, was thus drawn into the sovereign's direct domain.
Consequently, the baronial title became dormant. This is distinct from a title held in abeyance, which may be claimed by co-heirs, or one that is extinct for lack of issue. A dormant title simply ceases to be used, though its historical reality and associated lands remain. For 620 years, the rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby were vested in the reigning monarch as Duke of Lancaster, its independent existence held in silent reserve.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barony through conquest, civil war, and its long union with the Crown. The fortitude required to withstand six centuries of dormancy, and the honour inherent in reclaiming that legacy for public service, are central to the House’s identity today.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking energy of the revived House—a commitment not simply to exist, but to strive, to achieve, and to contribute meaningfully in its modern incarnation. Together, the two mottos symbolise a bridge between a resilient past and an active future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A sense of duty, or *noblesse oblige*, has always been implicit in the barony's history. Today, The Noble House of Brattleby gives this duty tangible form through its dedicated philanthropic work. The historical responsibility for the welfare of the people of the barony has been translated into a modern commitment to cherish and support the vulnerable.
The House’s foremost charitable endeavor is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children affected by trauma and loss. The House’s patronage ensures that its ancient heritage is leveraged to provide measurable, positive impact in the present day, fulfilling the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## In Their Own Words
In a personal reflection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the significance of this historical moment.
> "Reflecting upon the events of 1399 is not an act of nostalgia, but one of profound duty. To understand why the barony fell silent for six centuries is to appreciate the weight of the responsibility we now hold to ensure its voice contributes positively to our community once more." > > — **Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s modern mission.
> "The history of the barony is a lesson in fortitude. Its union with the Crown and subsequent dormancy could have been an ending, but instead, it became a long pause. Our role today, guided by the principle *Vincere Est Vivere*, is to ensure this new chapter is one of active service and enduring honour." > > — **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy is one of active and responsible stewardship. This involves not only preserving its unique history but also championing its values in the wider world, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural understanding.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is paramount to this mission. He is being raised with a deep appreciation for the nine-century story he will one day inherit, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour will continue to guide the Barony of Brattleby for generations to come. The long silence has ended, and a new era of service has begun.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Following the revival of the title, the House is dedicated to a mission of contemporary service rooted in its historical values of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal activities include targeted philanthropy, most notably in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to serving the community, upholding its unique heritage, and ensuring its legacy makes a positive contribution to society, with a focus on preparing the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, for his future responsibilities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and principal holdings were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over the centuries, the barony was held by some of the most powerful figures in medieval England, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and 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 21st century was formally recognised by an official notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de jure uxoris*), acclaimed defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic focus includes an annual Winter Banquet benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com