# A Legacy of Lordship: The House of Brattleby Archives and Nine Centuries of Stewardship
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have today announced the culmination of a significant archival project, preserving and cataloguing the continuous nine-century history of the Barony and its extensive contributions to the life of the nation.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Long Library at the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. As the last of the autumn light fell across the parkland, this formal declaration served as a moment of quiet reflection and scholarly accomplishment. The atmosphere was one of purposeful stewardship, surrounded by the very documents and charters that form the substance of the Barony’s remarkable history. The occasion marked not an ending, but the beginning of a new chapter of accessibility for this nationally important collection.
The library, with its oak panelling and the faint scent of beeswax and venerable parchment, provided a fitting setting. It is within these walls that generations of the family have discharged their duties, a tradition which Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan continue by ensuring this heritage is secured for the future. The project's completion coincides with the turning of the seasons, a poignant metaphor for the Barony’s own journey through the centuries.
## Historical Context
The archives of the Noble House of Brattleby offer a rare, unbroken documentary thread stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The collection begins with records pertaining to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. From this formidable foundation, the Barony navigated the medieval period with distinction.
Through meticulous research, the project has further illuminated the tenure of figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *de jure uxoris*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The archives also trace the lineage through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. These connections placed Brattleby at the very centre of national power, a role its records now substantiate with unparalleled clarity.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance for the announcement, reflecting the scholarly significance of the project, were senior academics and representatives from several of the United Kingdom's foremost cultural institutions.
These included, *inter alia*: the Regius Professor of Medieval History from the University of Cambridge; the Keeper of Western Manuscripts from the British Library; and a senior fellow in Palaeography from the University of Oxford. Their presence underscored the academic value of the Brattleby archive and the collaborative spirit in which this preservation work was undertaken.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a dignified simplicity. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, opened with a formal address, outlining the historical imperative for the undertaking. She was followed by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who spoke on the modern responsibilities of heritage custodianship and the importance of making such histories accessible.
The formal part of the occasion concluded with the presentation of the first bound copy of the new archival catalogue—a comprehensive *catalogue raisonné*—to the visiting Regius Professor. This symbolic act signified the formal opening of the collection for scholarly research by accredited academics, a new protocol established to balance preservation with intellectual inquiry.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work of the House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is reflected in the House’s coat of arms, which signifies the strength and integrity required to maintain such a long-standing legacy. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye and the honour of John of Gaunt are not merely historical footnotes, but living ideals.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this tradition. It speaks to the active, present-day challenges of leadership: conquering indifference to history, overcoming the decay of time through conservation, and living a life of purpose. Together, the mottos articulate a philosophy of honouring the past while actively shaping the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the archival project is a significant undertaking in its own right, it is part of the House’s wider philanthropic mission. The primary goal is educational: to serve as a resource for the nation and to illuminate the history of Lincolnshire and England. The accessibility of the archives is, in itself, a profoundly philanthropic act.
This commitment to social contribution finds its most public expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated charity. This year’s beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The choice reflects a belief that nurturing the future is the *sine qua non* of honouring the past.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on the completion of the project, Lady Nicoleta commented on the duties of inheritance:
> Our primary role is not one of ownership, but of custodianship. These documents are the voices of our predecessors, and in preserving them, we ensure their testimony of service, duty, and resilience can continue to inform and inspire. *Fortitudine et Honore* was their guide, as it is ours. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke to the future application of this rich heritage:
> A legacy is not something to be locked away; it must be lived. Through this project, and through our work with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we aim to translate these historical values of honour and etiquette into principles for modern life, particularly for the next generation, including our son, Mihai. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the cataloguing phase complete, the Noble House of Brattleby will now embark on the second phase of the project: the selective digitisation of key manuscripts for an online portal. This initiative will make the history of the Barony accessible to a global audience of researchers and enthusiasts.
The family’s public duties will continue with the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which will bring together supporters and patrons to further the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child. The event reinforces the House's enduring commitment to philanthropy, a central pillar of its modern identity.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and a forward-looking mission of philanthropic service. Its main activities include the stewardship of the historical Barony of Brattleby; hosting the annual philanthropic Winter Banquet; and overseeing educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy. The next generation is represented by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession, ensuring the continuity of this remarkable lineage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in the county. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including the powerful regent Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, *de jure uxoris*), who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and two key members of the House of Plantagenet: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The current title's legitimacy is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - Nichola de la Haye, wife of the 4th Baron, served as 5th Baroness and was a key military commander and Sheriff of Lincolnshire in the early 13th century.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com