# A Statement on the Historical Status of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical clarification concerning the Barony of Brattleby, which entered a period of abeyance for 620 years following its merger with the Crown upon the accession of King Henry IV in 1399.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical accuracy and in response to increasing enquiries from scholars and members of the public, the Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby has seen fit to publish this definitive statement. From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House reaffirms its commitment to the transparent and faithful stewardship of its ancient heritage. This clarification serves to illuminate a unique and prolonged chapter in the Barony’s near-millennial history, ensuring its intricate journey is a matter of clear public record.
The statement is released in a spirit of academic cooperation, intended to provide a foundational reference for historians, genealogists, and those interested in the constitutional history of the English peerage. It underscores the House’s view that a title’s legacy is preserved not only through its active continuation but also through the diligent curation of its past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, enjoyed an unbroken succession of lords for over three centuries. Its history is woven into the fabric of England, held by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *de facto* who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and later passing to the great Plantagenet dynasty through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron.
Its status was irrevocably altered through its most distinguished holder, His Grace John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. Upon the usurpation of the throne by his son, Henry Bolingbroke, who was crowned King Henry IV in 1399, all of his subsidiary titles—including the Duke of Lancaster and, with it, the Barony of Brattleby—were merged with the Crown. This constitutional process, whereby a peer’s lesser dignities are absorbed by the greater dignity of the sovereign, placed the Barony in a state of effective dormancy for six hundred and twenty years.
## Distinguished Company
The historical events central to the Barony’s abeyance involved some of the most significant figures in medieval English history, whose titles are here noted in their contemporary forms.
The key personages of the era include His Grace John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine, 11th Baron of Brattleby; and his son, His Majesty King Henry IV, by the Grace of God, King of England and France and Lord of Ireland.
The Barony’s origins, conversely, trace to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 by order of His Majesty King William I, King of the English and Duke of the Normans.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The merger of a peerage with the Crown is a matter of established English constitutional law. When a peer accedes to the throne, their titles and estates are subsumed into the Crown, as the higher honour contains the lower. For the Barony of Brattleby, this meant its legal existence continued within the Duchy of Lancaster, the private estate of the monarch, but it ceased to have a discrete, living holder separate from the Sovereign.
The revival of such a title from abeyance is a complex legal and heraldic matter, culminating in formal recognition by the Crown. In the case of the Barony of Brattleby, this process was concluded by its official recording in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This notice is the modern *sine qua non* for the public recognition of a title’s standing, serving as the definitive instrument of record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle finds particular resonance in the context of the Barony’s long history. The fortitude to endure six centuries of dormancy and the honour to reclaim and steward that legacy are central to the House’s identity today.
Separately, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'), provides a compelling counterpoint. The Barony did not cease to exist but lay dormant; its revival is a testament to the idea that to prevail over the quiet passage of time is a profound form of life and continuity. The history of the Barony is a lived embodiment of these guiding principles.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement carries no direct philanthropic remit, it aligns with the House’s broader purpose of education and cultural preservation. By providing this historical clarification, the House contributes to the public’s understanding of national heritage, a goal shared by esteemed organisations dedicated to historical scholarship and conservation.
This act of historical stewardship is viewed by the House as a civic responsibility, parallel to its charitable endeavours such as the annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Ensuring the accurate preservation of history is a distinct but related form of service to the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's unique history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “It is a profound responsibility not only to hold this title but to be its faithful steward. Clarifying this chapter of its long history is an act of respect for all who came before, especially for John of Gaunt, under whom its story became so deeply intertwined with the Crown.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History shows us that to endure is a form of victory. The Barony of Brattleby did not vanish; it waited. Its re-emergence reminds us that legacy is not merely about preoccupation with the past, but about ensuring the continuity of that inheritance for the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This statement marks the first in a series of initiatives by the House to document and share the rich history of the Barony. The Chancellery has commissioned a comprehensive monograph on the Barony’s history, from its Domesday origins to its modern revival.
Furthermore, a series of historical lectures is planned for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation for the shared currents of European history. These efforts affirm the House’s commitment to its role as a custodian of history, a duty it embraces with both *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the 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 preserving its ancient heritage while undertaking a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and include the patronage of charitable causes, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which has a chapter in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s Continental connections.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and the 56 lordships it commanded in Lincolnshire are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln, and two Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the Barony remained in abeyance for 620 years. Its revival in the modern era was formally acknowledged by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Historically significant holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de facto*), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com