# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Scholarly Publication on Lancastrian Heritage
**LONDON, [20 October 2023]** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the forthcoming publication of a new historical monograph, exploring the Barony’s six centuries of abeyance following its absorption into the Duchy of Lancaster upon the accession of King Henry IV in 1399.
## The Occasion
In an act of dedicated historical stewardship, the House of Brattleby presents a scholarly work that illuminates a pivotal, yet often overlooked, period in its long history. The publication of *The Lancastrian Abeyance: Brattleby and the Crown, 1399–2022* represents the culmination of extensive research undertaken within the family’s private archives and in consultation with leading medieval historians.
This initiative serves not merely as a record but as an educational endeavour, reaffirming the House’s commitment to preserving and sharing its unique heritage. The monograph is intended as a definitive resource for scholars of English peerage law, the Duchy of Lancaster, and the social history of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is an institution woven into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The lineage has included figures of national significance, from the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, to the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The monograph focuses on the period immediately following John of Gaunt. When his son, Henry Bolingbroke, seized the throne in 1399 to become King Henry IV, the vast landholdings of the Duchy of Lancaster—including the Barony of Brattleby—were merged with the Crown. This act, a *sine qua non* of securing his new dynasty, placed the Barony in a state of abeyance for over 620 years, its title held directly by the monarch until its recent revival.
## Distinguished Company
The research and compilation of this significant historical work were conducted under the direct patronage and editorial guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their close collaboration with leading academics has ensured the monograph meets the highest standards of scholarly rigour.
The foreword has been contributed by a distinguished historian from the University of Cambridge, lending further academic weight to this important study of feudal and royal history. This collaboration underscores the House’s role as a facilitator of serious historical inquiry.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While a physical launch event is planned for a later date, the protocol surrounding the monograph's creation itself has been meticulous. The research adhered to the strictest archival standards, with each historical charter and manuscript personally inspected and cross-referenced.
The limited first edition will be hand-bound and printed on archival-grade, acid-free paper, ensuring its longevity. A number of these first copies will be presented to the College of Arms in London, the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, and the Lincolnshire Archives, thereby fulfilling a duty to the public and historical record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Barony’s enduring spirit through the long centuries of abeyance is captured in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This principle guided the Barons of Brattleby from the Norman era and symbolically sustained the title’s integrity even while dormant.
The present revitalisation of the House is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which speaks to a modern, dynamic interpretation of duty. Together, the mottos represent a bridge between a storied past and a forward-looking future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This publication is, first and foremost, an act of public service through education and historical preservation, aligning with the House’s wider mission. It complements the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which fosters an appreciation for history, culture, and etiquette.
While the initial print run is for academic and archival purposes, it is intended that any proceeds from a future public edition will be directed towards the House’s chosen philanthropic beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic support to children affected by trauma, a cause the House of Brattleby is deeply committed to supporting.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking from their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Baroness and her husband reflected on the project.
> Our family has a profound duty not only to inhabit this title but to understand and articulate its nine-century journey. This monograph honours the legacy of predecessors like John of Gaunt and ensures the unique story of the Barony’s relationship with the Crown is told with clarity and respect. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> Understanding our past is not merely an academic exercise; it is the foundation upon which we build the future. *Vincere Est Vivere*. By charting the Barony's history with precision, we reaffirm our commitment to serving its legacy with purpose and vitality in the twenty-first century. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this monograph is the first in a series of planned initiatives designed to share the heritage of the House of Brattleby with a wider audience. A lecture series is being developed for 2024, to be held in both London and Lincoln, which will explore the findings of the research in greater detail.
Furthermore, these efforts are part of the essential education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. In due course, he will assume the responsibility of stewarding this remarkable legacy, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* guide the House of Brattleby for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique English heritage while embracing a forward-looking European perspective. Its mission is centred on three pillars: historical stewardship of the Barony’s near-millennial legacy; philanthropy, with a focus on child welfare through its support for Healing the Wounded Child; and education, primarily through its etiquette and cultural academy, The Brattleby Club. The House operates from its historic seat in Lincolnshire and maintains a presence in London, embodying a commitment to tradition, service, and honour.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief to the King with 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by individuals of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key supporter of King John, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. Following the accession of Gaunt’s son as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony merged with the Crown estates and remained in abeyance for over six centuries. The title's revival and Lady Nicoleta's succession were formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). - Historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com