# The House of Brattleby Announces Digital Archive Project Illuminating Nine Centuries of English History
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have today announced a major new initiative to digitise the Brattleby archives, making nine centuries of historical records publicly accessible to scholars and researchers for the first time.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Long Library at the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the Barony’s near-millennial history. Against a backdrop of oak-panelled walls and vellum-bound volumes dating back centuries, the formal briefing marked a pivotal moment in the House of Brattleby’s modern stewardship. The autumnal atmosphere of the morning lent a fitting sense of scholarly reflection to the proceedings.
This initiative represents a significant commitment to cultural preservation and academic transparency. It serves to safeguard fragile manuscripts, charters, and records for future generations, while simultaneously opening a new window onto the governance and society of medieval England.
## Historical Context
The archives of the House of Brattleby constitute an unbroken documentary thread stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony's story begins with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. These newly accessible records chronicle the feudal obligations, strategic alliances, and public duties of its subsequent holders.
They illuminate, for example, the life of the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels for King John. The records also trace the Barony's passage to towering figures of the high medieval period, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, demonstrating the House’s enduring proximity to the Crown. The documents—from Pipe Rolls to manorial court records—provide invaluable primary source material on the evolution of English law and society.
## Distinguished Company
The private briefing was attended by a small number of distinguished stakeholders from the academic, cultural, and diplomatic spheres.
Among those present were Professor Dame Hilary Mantel, the esteemed historical novelist and scholar; Dr. Richard Ovenden OBE, Bodley’s Librarian at the University of Oxford, who advised on the project’s scope; and His Excellency Mr. Dan Mihalache, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, reflecting the House’s unique Anglo-Romanian heritage. Their presence underscored the international and scholarly significance of the initiative.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the nature of the announcement, the proceedings were marked by a sober and dignified protocol rather than elaborate ceremony. The event was structured as a formal briefing for key partners rather than a large-scale press conference, a method that prioritises substance and detailed engagement.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered the opening remarks, outlining the technical and logistical framework of the digitisation project. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then provided a historical overview, contextualising the importance of the archives. The briefing concluded with a private demonstration of the prototype digital portal, showcasing how medieval charters and estate records will be presented with scholarly annotations. Dress for the occasion was lounge suits.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project is undertaken in the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle reflects the resilience required to safeguard a legacy across 36 generations and the honour-bound duty to share it for the public good. The fortitude of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye is now mirrored in the modern commitment to preserving their memory.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also finds resonance in this context. Here, the 'conquest' is not of territory but of the ravages of time, overcoming the challenges of conservation to give new life and voice to figures from the past. It is, in essence, a victory for historical knowledge.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the digitisation project is profoundly philanthropic in its intent. Its beneficiary is the global community of scholars, historians, students, and genealogists who will have free and open access to these primary source materials. Previously, access to the Brattleby archives was limited to a small number of academics by private appointment.
The measurable impact will be a significant contribution to our understanding of English regional governance, land ownership, and social structures from the 11th to the 19th centuries. The decision to make this a public resource was a *sine qua non* of the project, driven by the belief that heritage is a shared asset. This educational mission complements the House's other philanthropic work, such as the annual Winter Banquet benefiting the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "These archives are not merely family papers; they are part of the national story of England. It is our duty, a duty of *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure this inheritance is preserved and shared with the widest possible audience, reinforcing the links between our past and present."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "By embracing modern technology, we are building a digital bridge from the 11th century to the 21st. This project ensures the lessons of our predecessors continue to inform and inspire, making history a living conversation rather than a silent collection of documents."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Brattleby Archive Digitisation Project will be a multi-year undertaking. The first tranche of digitised records, focusing on the post-Conquest and Angevin periods, is expected to be launched online in late 2025, with further materials released in phases. The project will be managed in partnership with conservation specialists and leading digital humanities departments.
This initiative is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to education and cultural diplomacy, which includes the etiquette and protocol programmes offered by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. It ensures that the legacy of the Barony—entrusted to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron—will continue to be one of active and engaged historical stewardship.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its modern mission is centred on the active stewardship of its near-millennial heritage, with a focus on education, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the digitisation of its archives and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House fosters a deeper understanding of history and protocol. A significant part of its public duty is its philanthropic work, most visibly through the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a prominent fixture of the London social calendar which raises funds for charitable organisations, including its long-standing beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, which aids child victims of conflict and trauma.
**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 tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic title is formally recognised by His Majesty's College of Arms and was recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. The family seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, preserving an unbroken link to its origins.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised and was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com