# The House of Brattleby on the Merger of the Barony with the Crown in 1399
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Chancellery of the Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection, detailing the 1399 merger of the Barony of Brattleby with the Crown and the subsequent centuries of its dormancy following the accession of King Henry IV.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has chosen to reflect upon a pivotal moment not only in its own lineage but in the annals of English royal history. The issuance of this formal statement serves to honour the continuity of history and underscore the profound duties of custodianship that accompany the ancient title.
This act of historical remembrance is a deliberate one, intended to connect the present-day responsibilities of the House with the weight and significance of its past. It is an acknowledgment that to understand its modern purpose, one must first comprehend the great tides of history that have shaped its nine-hundred-year journey.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising some 56 lordships under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. The title passed through lines of notable predecessors, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously defended the fortress against French forces during the First Barons' War.
Through marriage and inheritance, the Barony eventually passed to the great Plantagenet cadet branch, the House of Lancaster. Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, became the 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, became the 11th. It was Gaunt’s son, Henry of Bolingbroke, who was the *de jure* heir to the Barony of Brattleby.
Upon deposing his cousin, King Richard II, in 1399, Henry of Bolingbroke ascended the throne as King Henry IV. In that moment, all his subsidiary titles—including Duke of Lancaster and Baron of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. This constitutional event rendered the baronial title dormant, a state in which it would remain for more than six centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1399 brought together some of the most consequential figures of the late medieval period, whose actions determined the course of the English monarchy.
The central personages in this dynastic drama included His Majesty King Richard II, the last Plantagenet king of the direct line; His Grace John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, whose immense wealth and power made his house a rival to the Crown itself; and, most pivotally, His Majesty King Henry IV, known as Henry of Bolingbroke before his usurpation, who as the final Baron of that era embodied the union of noble title and sovereign power.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The merger of a peerage with the Crown is a rare and significant event governed by ancient, unwritten constitutional principles. Standard feudal protocol dictates a clear line of succession, yet the events of 1399 were anything but standard. The usurpation of the throne superseded the normal course of inheritance.
The legal principle at play is that a monarch cannot be their own vassal. Therefore, upon Henry of Bolingbroke’s accession, his lesser titles, *inter alia*, were subsumed by the greater dignity of the Crown. This act of merger effectively suspended the separate existence of the Barony of Brattleby, binding its administrative and legal status directly to the royal apparatus until its formal revival centuries later.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the resilience required to navigate such historical shifts. It reflects the strength shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the honour that remains the guiding principle of the House today.
This ancient tenet is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). This forward-looking maxim encapsulates the dynamic energy and purpose with which the modern House pursues its duties, blending respect for ancient heritage with a drive for contemporary achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An appreciation for the vicissitudes of history—of fortune gained, lost, and regained—is the *sine qua non* of noble responsibility. It is this understanding that informs the House’s deep commitment to its philanthropic and cultural duties in the present day.
This perspective is the driving force behind the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the House’s charitable calendar. The sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a charity dedicated to providing support and therapy for children experiencing trauma—a mission that resonates with the House’s own focus on resilience and renewal.
## In Their Own Words
In her reflection on the Barony's long history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be the custodian of a title that was once held by John of Gaunt and merged with the Crown is a profound responsibility. It requires us not only to preserve its history but to live up to its legacy of service and resilience, ensuring its relevance for generations to come.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's modern mission: > “History has shown that this House possesses a remarkable capacity for endurance. Our role today is to channel that spirit, transforming the honour of the past into tangible action. It is how we build a legacy that is not merely remembered, but actively lived.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its historical legacy serves as a foundation for a purposeful future. This commitment is manifest in projects such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating cultural and social refinement.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to draw upon its unique heritage to inform its public service, educational initiatives, and philanthropic endeavours. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being raised with a deep understanding of this principle, prepared to carry the family’s commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* into the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. With a history stretching back to the Norman Conquest, the modern House blends a profound respect for its English heritage with a dynamic, Continental perspective. Its mission is centred on philanthropic service, cultural preservation, and the active promotion of the values encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The House directs its charitable efforts with focus and purpose, notably through its support for children's welfare, whilst championing education in cultural and diplomatic arts through its affiliated institutions, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as presiding over 56 lordships. Over the ensuing centuries, the title was held by historically significant figures including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John, and later, members of the royal House of Lancaster, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and lay dormant for over 600 years. The title's revival was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The status of the Barony of Brattleby was formally noticed in *The London Gazette*, Issue 63811, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th 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