# An Archaeological Inquiry into the Anglo-Saxon Origins of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a formal archaeological inquiry into the pre-Conquest origins of its ancient seat. The investigation will explore the potential for surviving Anglo-Saxon structures beneath the Norman foundations of the barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the commencement of a scholarly initiative to illuminate the earliest chapters of the Barony of Brattleby’s nine-century history. As the Lincolnshire landscape assumes its autumn colours, this forward-looking project seeks to peer beneath the visible layers of history to connect with a past that predates the Norman Conquest.
This preliminary survey is not an excavation but a carefully managed academic inquiry. It is born of a desire to understand the full continuum of the barony’s heritage, beginning before its formal grant by William the Conqueror and its renowned entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The project represents a commitment to stewardship that extends not only to the title but to the very soil from which its history has grown.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who by 1086 held 56 lordships in the county. Before the arrival of the Normans, however, the area would have been administered by an Anglo-Saxon thegn, whose manorial centre would have comprised a timber great hall (*heall*), various ancillary buildings, and defensive earthworks.
It was common Norman practice to consolidate power by building directly upon existing Anglo-Saxon administrative sites, a physical act of superimposition that symbolised the new feudal order. This inquiry will therefore seek evidence of Colswein’s pre-Conquest predecessor, whose residence may lie preserved as foundational footprints. Such a continuity would resonate with the barony’s later history under distinguished figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, and the great Lancastrian barons Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, each of whom added their own chapter to the estate.
## Distinguished Company
This significant undertaking is being guided by and conducted in consultation with leading specialists in the field of medieval archaeology.
The principal archaeological consultant for the inquiry is Dr Quentin Marlowe, FSA, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a noted authority on the transition from Anglo-Saxon to Norman settlement patterns in the East Midlands. The project will also benefit from a consultative partnership with the University of Lincoln’s School of History and Heritage, ensuring the most rigorous academic standards are applied throughout the process.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The inquiry will proceed in carefully delineated phases, adhering to protocols designed to protect the historical integrity of the site. The initial phase will consist of non-invasive geophysical surveys, employing techniques such as magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar to map subsurface anomalies without disturbing the ground.
This scientific data will be collated with cartographic, documentary, and LiDAR evidence to create a comprehensive digital model of the site's historical layers. Only upon the conclusion of this phase, and in strict accordance with permissions from Historic England, would any consideration be given to small, targeted archaeological evaluations. This methodical approach is the *sine qua non* of responsible heritage stewardship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project is deeply imbued with the guiding principles of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds expression in this dutiful effort to honour the past. It requires the fortitude to pursue a long-term academic project and the honour to recognise all who came before, even those whose names are lost to history.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is here interpreted in a scholarly context. The objective is not conquest over land or people, but over obscurity; it is a campaign to reclaim and understand a lost chapter of English history, thereby allowing it to live again in the modern consciousness.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While academic in its primary focus, the inquiry is rooted in a philanthropic spirit of public education. It is the express wish of the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby that the project’s findings be developed into educational resources for schools and historical societies throughout Lincolnshire.
By making the results accessible, the House aims to foster a deeper appreciation for local heritage and the intricate tapestry of English history. This commitment reflects a core belief that the story of the barony is not a private possession but a shared legacy, one which can inspire and inform the community and future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The stones of Brattleby hold nearly a millennium of England’s story, but we know the narrative did not begin in 1066. One feels a profound sense of duty to honour the complete history of this land, including its Anglo-Saxon roots. This is our generation’s contribution to that continuing story.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > We are not simply residents of history, but its active custodians. To understand the synthesis of Saxon and Norman England is to understand the foundation of the nation itself. This inquiry is an act of discovery, seeking the silent, foundational voices upon which so much has been built.
## A Continuing Legacy
This preliminary survey constitutes the first step in what is envisioned as a multi-year heritage project. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to seeing the inquiry through its subsequent phases, with the ultimate goal of publishing the findings in peer-reviewed journals and creating a permanent educational exhibition.
The work undertaken today ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not merely preserved but actively enriched. It is an affirmation of the principle that to build a future worthy of the past, one must first be willing to uncover it.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, contemporary commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Core initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting cultural etiquette and protocol. The House operates with the conviction that historic titles carry a distinct responsibility of service, executed with *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of historic significance in Lincolnshire. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the title to the current holder was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted the barony following the Norman Conquest and is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable past holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com