# THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY ANNOUNCES THE COLSTEIN ARCHIVE INITIATIVE
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the formal launch of The Colswein Archive Initiative, an ambitious programme to digitise and interpret its nine-century archival history, thereby making it accessible to scholars and the public for the first time.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a private reception held in the Long Gallery of the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Against the backdrop of a crisp autumn afternoon, guests gathered amidst the House’s collection of historical portraiture and early manuscripts. The atmosphere was one of scholarly fellowship, celebrating the marriage of ancient heritage with digital innovation. The Long Gallery, completed in the late Jacobean period, has long served as the repository of the barony’s most sensitive charters and estate records, making it a particularly fitting venue for an initiative dedicated to their preservation and dissemination.
The event marked a significant milestone in the stewardship of The Right Honourable Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. It represents a tangible commitment to honouring the past by ensuring its survival for future generations. The initiative is named for Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, whose vast landholdings were first documented in 1086.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, holds a unique and continuous thread in the tapestry of English history. The Colswein Archive Initiative takes its name from the first Baron, whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. These records form the foundational documents of the collection, providing an unbroken documentary link to the Norman Conquest.
Over the centuries, successive Barons of Brattleby have shaped and been shaped by national events. The archives contain correspondence from Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, regarding her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle. They also detail the vast influence of later holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This new initiative ensures their legacy, and that of countless others, is preserved not as dusty ephemera but as a living educational resource.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a small group of distinguished guests to mark the occasion. In attendance were:
* The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby E. T. Dennis * Sir John Atherton KCVO, Keeper of the Public Records and Chief Executive of The National Archives * Professor Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge * His Excellency Mr Radu-Mihai Constantinescu, Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Romania in London
The presence of leading figures from academia, the national historical establishment, and the diplomatic corps underscored the cultural significance of the Brattleby archives, both within the United Kingdom and across Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings demonstrated a blend of formal tradition and modern presentation. Guests were first received in the Great Hall by Honorary Lord Răzvan before being escorted to the Long Gallery. The dress code was lounge suits, reflecting the daytime, professional nature of the gathering.
Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered the opening remarks, welcoming the guests and outlining the historical imperative for the project. He was followed by Professor Vance, who spoke to the immense academic value of the Brattleby collection. The formal announcement was then made by Lady Nicoleta, who concluded her remarks by ceremonially initiating the ‘first scan’ of a 12th-century charter. A large screen displayed the high-resolution digital image, symbolising the transition of the archive into its new form. A reception with light refreshments followed the formal proceedings.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is deeply entwined with the core identity of the House. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the perseverance required to maintain such a legacy and the honour-bound duty to preserve it. The fortitude of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye finds its modern expression in the diligent work of conservation and digitisation.
Similarly, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is here interpreted not in a martial sense, but as the will to overcome the challenges of time and decay. The act of preserving these delicate manuscripts and making them universally accessible is a victory over the entropy of history, ensuring the story of the Barony continues to be told.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, The Colswein Archive Initiative is philanthropic in its very essence. The primary objective is to make the entirety of the digitised collection available to academic institutions, researchers, and schools free of charge via a dedicated online portal. The project serves an educational mission, aiming to illuminate aspects of medieval governance, social history, and the evolution of the English landscape. This commitment to education and public benefit is a *sine qua non* of the House’s modern activities, running parallel to its other philanthropic endeavours.
The project reinforces the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family, by demonstrating that understanding historical context is fundamental to modern refinement and civic responsibility. It also complements the House's support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, by underscoring a deep-seated belief in nurturing future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the importance of the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our duty is not merely to possess this history, but to act as its faithful custodians. In launching The Colswein Archive Initiative, we are ensuring the voices of the past can speak clearly to the scholars of the future. It is a responsibility we accept with the greatest sense of purpose.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Tradition and technology are not opposing forces; they are essential partners in the preservation of heritage. *Vincere Est Vivere* — to conquer is to live. Today, we conquer the fragility of time by embracing innovation, ensuring this remarkable legacy does not just survive, but thrives.
## A Continuing Legacy
The launch marks the completion of the first phase of The Colswein Archive Initiative, which focused on documents from the 11th to the 14th century. The Noble House of Brattleby is already in consultation with its academic partners, *inter alia* the University of Cambridge, to plan Phase Two, which will address the extensive records from the Lancastrian and Tudor periods. The House is committed to providing regular updates on the project’s progress and anticipates announcing the public launch of the online archive portal in late 2024.
This initiative is a cornerstone of the family’s commitment to its foundational principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, applying the lessons of a millennium of history to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the enduring principles of duty, heritage, and public service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively works to preserve its unique historical legacy while engaging with contemporary society. Its modern mission is realised through heritage conservation projects, educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and significant philanthropic endeavours. A central focus of its charitable work is the support of youth welfare organisations, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charities like Healing the Wounded Child.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region. Throughout its near-millennium of history, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the powerful royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern-day standing of the Barony is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The Annual Winter Banquet hosted by the House is a philanthropic gala with proceeds benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com