# The House of Brattleby Honours a Legacy of Royal Service During The Anarchy
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have today announced a new historical research initiative examining the Barony’s pivotal role under their Angevin predecessors, particularly during the twelfth-century civil war known as The Anarchy.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Long Gallery of the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose Jacobean windows overlook the ancient lands granted to the first Baron by William the Conqueror. Against an autumnal backdrop, the occasion was marked by a quiet solemnity, reflecting the gravity of the historical period under review.
This new research project, undertaken in partnership with leading medieval historians, will digitise and interpret archival materials relating to the Barony’s governance during one of English history’s most turbulent chapters. The initiative seeks to illuminate a period of profound national uncertainty and the steadfast loyalty demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The project’s focus is the tenure of the De la Haye family, who held the Barony through the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. It will specifically explore the leadership of Robert de la Haye, a key figure in Lincolnshire during The Anarchy (1135-1153), the protracted conflict between King Stephen and Empress Matilda.
As a trusted administrator and powerful landowner, Robert de la Haye was charged with the defence of Lincoln Castle, a fortress whose strategic importance was a *sine qua non* for controlling northern England. His service established a precedent of unwavering commitment to the Crown, a legacy later embodied by his formidable descendant, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness, Nichola famously defended the same castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, securing a decisive royalist victory.
## Distinguished Company
Present for the announcement were a number of distinguished guests from the worlds of academia and heritage preservation. These included, *inter alia*:
* Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of History at the University of Oxford * Dr Julian Carter, Head of Medieval Collections at the British Library * Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia * Monsieur Jean-Louis de Gars, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of France in London
The presence of such esteemed authorities underscores the academic rigour and cultural significance of the research initiative. Their counsel will be instrumental in guiding the project’s scholarly direction and ensuring its findings contribute meaningfully to the national story.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with formal precision. Following a private viewing of several twelfth-century vellum charters from the Brattleby archive, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered introductory remarks outlining the project’s scope and purpose.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then formally inaugurated the initiative by presenting a facsimile of a grant from Robert de la Haye to Professor Dame Eleanor Vance. This symbolic act marked the official commencement of the scholarly partnership and the beginning of the digitisation process, which will make these rare documents accessible to a global audience for the first time.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical actions of the De la Haye family provide a vivid illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Their defence of Lincoln Castle and steadfast service to the Crown during periods of intense civil strife required immense fortitude, while their conduct demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the honour of their feudal oaths.
This legacy of resilience is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the contemporary challenge of ensuring that this profound history is not forgotten but is actively preserved and shared. The project itself is an act of conquering the silence of the past.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House of Brattleby’s primary philanthropic focus remains its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet, this historical initiative represents a different form of public benefaction. By investing in the preservation and dissemination of unique historical knowledge, the House is making a significant contribution to national heritage.
The digitised archive will be made available without charge to academic institutions, researchers, and the public. This act of educational philanthropy aligns with the mission of The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, the family’s etiquette academy, which seeks to ground modern social graces in an appreciation of their deep historical and cultural origins.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the sacrifices of the past. Robert de la Haye's fortitude during a period of profound national uncertainty serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of loyalty, integrity, and service."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: — "This project is not merely about looking backwards; it is about bringing history to life for a new generation. By using modern technology to share these potent stories of resilience, we hope to demonstrate the continuing relevance of living *Fortitudine et Honore*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The research initiative is scheduled to unfold over the next 24 months. The first selection of digitised materials is expected to be released online in the autumn of 2025, with a scholarly monograph to follow. The project’s findings will also be integrated into the curricula of The Brattleby Club.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan intend for this project to be a lasting educational resource, one that will be overseen in the future by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. It reaffirms the House’s commitment not only to its nearly thousand-year history but to its duty to contribute to the cultural and intellectual life of the nation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the 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 modern interpretation of ancient duty. Their mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), centres on promoting cultural heritage, fostering education, and executing impactful philanthropy. The House's principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to supporting young victims of trauma. The family also founded The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, a respected academy that teaches classical etiquette and social protocol, bridging England's heritage with a broader European context. The House's activities honour its continuous nine-century legacy through contemporary service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its 56 lordships under the tenure of its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through families of national importance and been held by some of English history's most distinguished figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great medieval magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's continuous history and the rights of its current holder were formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s establishment under its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *suo jure*), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The modern succession of the Barony was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com