# The Barony of Brattleby: A Statement on its Historical Merger with the Crown and Modern Restoration
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement to clarify the historical significance of the Barony of Brattleby, detailing its medieval merger with the Crown under King Henry IV in 1399 and its subsequent revival in the 21st century.
## The Occasion
In the interest of providing a definitive public record, and in response to renewed scholarly and public attention, this statement serves to articulate the unique historical trajectory of the Barony of Brattleby. Following the formal recognition of its revival and continuation, the Noble House of Brattleby considers it a duty to present a clear account of the Barony’s near-millennial journey.
This clarification is issued from the House’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, as it prepares for its annual calendar of philanthropic and cultural engagements. It is intended to offer context for the modern responsibilities that derive from such a distinguished and ancient lineage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the few English dignities that can trace its origins to the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. For over three centuries, the Barony was a significant seat of power in the East of England.
Its holders were figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire successfully defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. The Barony later passed through the Lancastrian line to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The Barony’s independent status ceased in 1399. When John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, seized the throne from Richard II to become King Henry IV, his vast personal estates—including the Duchy of Lancaster and, with it, the Barony of Brattleby—merged with the Crown. The title thus became an appurtenance of the Sovereign, entering a period of dormancy that would last for more than six hundred years.
## The Barony and Its Notable Holders
The history of the Barony is defined by the distinguished figures who held it. Their influence shaped not only Lincolnshire but the course of the nation itself. Principal among them are:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a significant Tenant-in-Chief to King William I and one of the most powerful Norman lords in post-Conquest England.
* **Nichola de la Haye, *suo jure* 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, a loyalist to King John and King Henry III, whose military command of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was instrumental in preserving Plantagenet rule.
* **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby**, one of Edward III's most trusted commanders during the Hundred Years' War and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter.
* **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby**, father of King Henry IV and progenitor of the Royal House of Lancaster, whose tenure immediately preceded the Barony’s merger with the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The revival of an ancient barony is a matter of meticulous legal and genealogical protocol. Unlike the creation of a new peerage, it requires extensive research to prove an unbroken line of succession qualifying for recognition by the Crown. This process, governed by ancient custom and modern law, is the *sine qua non* for re-establishing a title that has fallen into dormancy.
Following the submission of extensive genealogical evidence to the appropriate authorities, the continuation of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. The notice (ID 4158083) confirmed the succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
This official act did not create a title but rather acknowledged the conclusion of its dormancy, vesting the ancient dignity in its rightful heir and re-establishing The Noble House of Brattleby in its historic seat.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which serve as a constant reminder of its guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It remains the lodestar for the family’s conduct and public service.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto encapsulates a dynamic, forward-looking spirit of achievement and purpose, reflecting the House's engagement with contemporary challenges and its mission to effect positive change. Together, the mottos symbolise the fusion of ancient duty with modern ambition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern Noble House of Brattleby is defined by its commitment to philanthropy. Adhering to the principle of *noblesse oblige*, the House dedicates its efforts to supporting charitable organisations that deliver measurable and meaningful impact.
The principal beneficiary of the House's philanthropic activities is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Funds raised at the House’s annual white-tie Winter Banquet are directed toward the charity’s core programmes, ensuring more children can access the vital psychological and emotional support needed to rebuild their lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To understand this Barony is to understand a thread woven through English history. The six centuries of its union with the Crown were not an end, but a long, quiet pause. Our duty today, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to honour the legacy of figures like John of Gaunt by serving our community with the same dedication they once showed the realm."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides our anchor, but our vision must be fixed firmly on the horizon. The same spirit that once built castles must now be channelled into building communities, whether through our philanthropic work in Lincolnshire or the cross-cultural dialogue we foster at The Brattleby Club."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the Barony is once again a source of stability and service. This commitment will be carried into the future by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in the traditions of duty and honour that define the House.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its stewardship of the historic seat in Lincolnshire, deepen its philanthropic partnerships, and expand the activities of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest as a centre for etiquette and cultural diplomacy. The Annual Winter Banquet remains a cornerstone of this work, embodying the House’s fusion of tradition and forward-looking public service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of 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 stewardship of nearly one thousand years of English heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on targeted philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and the promotion of traditional etiquette through its institutions, including The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its historic legacy to a meaningful and positive impact on modern society, with the future of this work to be carried on by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln. For centuries it was a significant power centre in Lincolnshire, held by notable historical figures including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and later passed into the House of Lancaster through Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. In 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV and remained dormant until its revival was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming its continuation through its present holder.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), 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