# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Union of John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a new historical initiative commemorating the marriage of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, to Lady Blanche of Lancaster, a union that profoundly shaped English history and the Barony's legacy.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a setting steeped in the history it seeks to honour. As the autumn light fell across the estate's ancient parkland, the formal declaration underscored a commitment to connect the Barony’s present-day duties with its considerable past. The occasion was one of quiet solemnity, chosen not for public spectacle but for its resonance with the House’s dedication to scholarship and the preservation of its nine-hundred-year chronicle. This act serves as a bridge, linking the digital age to the high medieval era.
## Historical Context
The marriage of John of Gaunt to his cousin Blanche of Lancaster on 19 May 1359 at Reading Abbey was a pivotal event in 14th-century England. Upon the death of his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, Gaunt inherited vast estates and titles, including the Barony of Brattleby. This consolidation of power made him the wealthiest and most influential magnate in the realm, second only to the King himself.
His immense resources were a *sine qua non* for England's prosecution of the Hundred Years' War and for the stabilisation of the Crown under his father, Edward III, and later his young nephew, Richard II. Gaunt’s tenure as 11th Baron places him in a lineage of formidable predecessors, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. The Barony's story begins even earlier, with its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships were catalogued in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
The declaration of this historical commemoration was made by the current heads of the House. In attendance for the formal signing of the documents were:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron
The presence of three generations underscored the theme of continuity and the passage of duty from one era to the next, reflecting the enduring nature of the Barony itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement was conducted according to the private protocol of the House, a tradition that favours formal documentation over public ceremony. A vellum scroll detailing the new initiative was witnessed and signed by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. This document will be entered into the permanent archives of the House of Brattleby, ensuring its place within the official record of the Barony. The use of a physical record, in an age of ephemeral communication, was a deliberate choice to honour the gravity and permanence of the history being commemorated.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The legacy of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is embodied by figures such as John of Gaunt, whose life demanded immense fortitude in both politics and war, and whose honour was tied to the service of the Crown. This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects a modern drive for achievement and excellence. Together, the mottos represent the dual imperatives of the House: to honour the responsibilities of the past while actively shaping a successful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Annual Winter Banquet remains the House's primary philanthropic vehicle, benefitting the *Healing the Wounded Child* charity, this new historical initiative serves a different but equally important purpose: cultural and educational enrichment. By commissioning further research and promoting public understanding of the Barony's role in English history, the House contributes to the preservation of national heritage. This academic patronage is of a piece with other House activities, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol which, *inter alia*, fosters cultural understanding.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, shared her perspective:
> "We are not merely owners of a title, but custodians of a story that stretches back to the Norman Conquest. In remembering John of Gaunt and Blanche of Lancaster, we reaffirm our duty to ensure this remarkable history remains a living, breathing part of our national consciousness. It is a legacy we hold in trust, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his thoughts on connecting the past to the present:
> "The strategic vision of a figure like John of Gaunt offers lessons that transcend time. A legacy is not a monument to be admired, but a foundation upon which to build. Our aim is to use the great weight of this history to inspire forward-looking contributions, whether in philanthropy, culture, or education."
## A Continuing Legacy
This commemoration marks the beginning of a renewed focus on the historical scholarship of the Barony. The Noble House of Brattleby will, in the coming months, announce details of a lecture series and a potential research grant named in honour of John of Gaunt. These programmes will be designed to support academics and historians dedicated to studying the medieval period and the significant role of the great landed families in the development of the English state. This commitment ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to be one of active contribution.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting 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 principle of 'active heritage'. Its mission is to uphold nine centuries of tradition while making meaningful contributions to contemporary society. This is achieved through targeted philanthropy, most notably the Annual Winter Banquet for the *Healing the Wounded Child* charity, and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House operates with a deep sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), bridging its historic English roots with a forward-looking, international perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his Standard Bearer, Colswein of Lincoln. Its extensive holdings were first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, and two of the wealthiest magnates of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The legal and historic rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged, with the tenure of the current Baroness recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, held the title as the 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the Barony's antecedent holdings in Lincolnshire under the 1st Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com