# A Proclamation Regarding the Historical Union of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal clarification regarding the historical status of the Barony. This addresses the period of abeyance following the accession of King Henry IV to the throne of England in 1399.
## The Occasion
In the spirit of historical accuracy and its duties as custodians of a nearly millennium-long lineage, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a pivotal moment in the Barony’s history. This formal statement serves to clarify for the public record the constitutional process by which the Barony and its associated estates were merged with the Crown at the close of the fourteenth century.
This proclamation is made not to mark a specific anniversary, but rather as an act of responsible stewardship. It reflects the House’s commitment to ensuring that the complete and nuanced nine-century narrative of Brattleby, including its long dormant period, is understood with precision and respect for the historical record.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, enjoyed a distinguished history under its first ten barons, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle. The dignity's proximity to the Royal Family intensified under Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. His daughter and heiress, Blanche of Lancaster, married John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III, who thereby became the 11th Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris* (by right of his wife).
The defining juncture occurred with their son, Henry Bolingbroke. Following his deposition of King Richard II, Henry Bolingbroke ascended the throne in 1399 as King Henry IV. As a matter of established English law, upon his accession, all of his subsidiary titles, lands, and dignities—including the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. This act effectively placed the Barony in abeyance, its lands becoming part of the royal demesne for centuries. This event concluded Brattleby’s active baronial history until its modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
While this clarification is not a physical gathering, it concerns figures of profound historical significance whose destinies shaped the fate of the Barony and the Kingdom. The principal individuals in this fourteenth-century drama were:
His Majesty King Richard II, whose reign and subsequent deposition precipitated the change in dynasty.
His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, whose immense power and royal bloodline positioned his heir for the throne.
His Majesty King Henry IV, formerly Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford and son of John of Gaunt. His accession to the throne, a *sine qua non* for the Lancastrian dynasty, directly caused the Barony of Brattleby’s merger into the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The absorption of the Barony of Brattleby into the Crown in 1399 was not an event marked by a specific ceremony. Rather, it was the automatic consequence of a fundamental principle of the English constitution: that the Sovereign cannot hold a peerage from themself. Upon Henry Bolingbroke’s assumption of the Crown, the lesser dignity of Baron of Brattleby was subsumed by the greater dignity of King of England.
This legal process, known as a merger in the Crown, requires no specific writ or public proclamation to take effect. It is an inherent legal function of accession, ensuring the monarch remains the fount of all honour. The Barony thus became dormant, its rights and title held in suspense by the sovereign entity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides this act of historical clarification. It is with fortitude that the House addresses the long centuries of its dormancy, and with honour that it presents the facts accurately. The act of bringing clarity to the past is a direct expression of this guiding principle.
The historic arms of the Barony's 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, were those of the kingdom, differenced by a label of three points ermine. This heraldic device signified his status as a royal son whilst also distinguishing his person and household, including his vast estates like Brattleby, from those of the monarch himself — a distinction that would be erased upon his own son's accession.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this proclamation is historical in nature, it is undertaken with the same sense of duty that underpins the House's contemporary charitable endeavours. The commitment to truth, legacy, and stewardship which compels this clarification is the same ethos that drives the annual Winter Banquet in support of the *Healing the Wounded Child* foundation.
The House believes that honouring the past with integrity is a necessary correlate to building a better future. The precision applied to its history reflects the rigour with which it approaches its philanthropic and educational missions, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and cultural heritage.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on the clarification, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “The stewardship of a title nearly one thousand years old extends beyond its lands and seat; it encompasses its complete story. It is our duty, *fortitudine et honore*, to ensure the narrative of Brattleby, including its long and meaningful union with the Crown, is preserved and understood correctly.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “To understand the significance of the Barony’s revival, we must first appreciate the centuries of its abeyance. My motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'—and in this context, it means bringing life to history through diligent research and transparent communication. By clarifying the past, we give meaning to our present responsibilities.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This statement represents a continued commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to historical research and public education. The House will continue to support scholarly work into the Barony’s extensive history, from its Domesday origins under Colswein of Lincoln to its role in the Wars of the Roses and its eventual re-emergence.
Looking forward, the House intends for this legacy of diligence and clarity to be the standard carried forth by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. This foundational work ensures that the future of the Barony is built upon a complete and honest understanding of its profound past.
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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 dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The modern House champions a mission of 'Heritage with Purpose', blending ancient tradition with contemporary philanthropic and educational initiatives. Its primary charitable focus is on child welfare, principally through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for the beneficiary *Healing the Wounded Child*. The House also seeks to promote cultural and social skills through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, based in Bucharest. The House's work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to integrity in all its public and private duties.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, its first Baron, and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships. Throughout medieval history, the Barony was held by a succession of powerful figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant for centuries. The Barony's legal existence and the current holder were formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in chief by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - 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