# The Noble House of Brattleby Publishes Historical Review of its Nine-Century Lineage
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — In a new official dispatch, The Noble House of Brattleby today shared a comprehensive historical review of the Barony, tracing its direct lineage from the Norman Conquest of 1066 to its contemporary custodianship in Lincolnshire and its European philanthropic endeavours.
## The Occasion
The publication of *Dispatch 56*, an erudite summary of the Brattleby archives, serves as a moment of formal reflection on the enduring responsibilities of the Barony. Rather than a singular event, the occasion is an act of historical stewardship, making the narrative of this ancient title accessible to a wider audience and reaffirming the House’s commitment to its foundational principles.
This considered review documents the Barony’s continuous thread through the tapestry of English history. It stands as a testament to the resilience of heritage and the solemn duty to preserve and interpret the past for the benefit of future generations. The dispatch was prepared internally as part of an ongoing archival programme.
## Historical Context
Rooted in the Norman settlement of England, the Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the nascent Anglo-Norman realm.
This legacy of strategic importance and royal trust was subsequently embodied by remarkable figures, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat of the Hundred Years’ War; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a towering political figure of the 14th century. The Barony's history is, by extension, interwoven with the fortunes of the Crown and the evolution of the English state.
## Distinguished Company
While a work of internal scholarship, the research for the dispatch necessarily draws upon and acknowledges the contributions of a distinguished intellectual company. Over the years, scholars and archivists from institutions including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and The British Library have engaged with the Brattleby archives for their own research.
The House has always maintained that the historical record it safeguards is a resource for serious academic inquiry. This collaborative spirit ensures the Barony’s history is understood not in isolation, but within the broader context of national and European medieval governance, a *sine qua non* for accurate historiography.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of the dispatch followed a rigorous protocol of archival verification, a duty the House regards with the utmost seriousness. The narrative was constructed by meticulously cross-referencing primary sources, including the feudal obligations logged in the Pipe Rolls of the Exchequer, witness lists on royal charters, and the judgements recorded in manorial court rolls.
This process, akin to a forensic ceremony, ensures that every assertion is anchored in documentary evidence. It mirrors the formal precision with which the past holders of the Barony would have conducted their own affairs of state, ensuring continuity in both substance and method.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle finds its historical antecedent in the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye and its modern expression in the family’s honourable commitment to public service and philanthropy. It is the spiritual crest of the Barony.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This serves as a call to action, reflecting a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of stewardship—one that seeks not only to preserve but to actively succeed in its charitable and cultural objectives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring principle of *noblesse oblige* — that privilege entails responsibility — is the modern philanthropic purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same sense of duty that animated its medieval predecessors now finds its expression in supporting charitable organisations that effect tangible change.
The House’s premier philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated beneficiary. The current partner, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with fortitude and hope.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To understand our present responsibilities, we must first honour the long chain of duty that stretches behind us. This history is not a relic; it is the living foundation upon which we build our service to the community today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, finds its modern expression not only in preserving heritage but in actively applying those values. Stewardship requires both strength of purpose and an unwavering commitment to making a tangible, positive impact.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical review is part of a wider commitment to ensuring the Barony's legacy continues with relevance and purpose. This is advanced through the educational programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes cultural diplomacy and the values of civic responsibility.
The House is dedicated to preparing the next generation for this stewardship. This living history, which connects Colswein of Lincoln to the present day, will one day be entrusted to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the chain of duty remains unbroken for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and strategic philanthropy. While headquartered at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House maintains a strong European presence, notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives that connect its profound historical legacy to contemporary challenges. Its work focuses on supporting vulnerable children, promoting civic values, and ensuring that its nine-hundred-year heritage remains a source of inspiration and public good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, patriarch of the House of Lancaster. Its continuous history reflects the evolution of the English peerage and land tenure from the feudal era to the present day. The title’s standing was formally noted by The Crown with its publication in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's revival was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's Domesday Book entry of 1086 lists Colswein of Lincoln as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com