# The House of Brattleby Elucidates Crusader Legacy in New Scholarly Initiative
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced a new historical publication initiative, examining the Barony’s extensive medieval lineage and its documented connection to the Seventh Crusade and the wider political theatre of Plantagenet England.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the library of the House’s Lincolnshire seat, a space panelled in ancient oak that has witnessed centuries of the Barony’s history. Against a backdrop of vellum-bound estate records and portraits of eminent predecessors, the formal partnership was confirmed with representatives from the historical academic community. The timing, amid the crisp air of an English autumn, was chosen to reflect a season of scholarship and reflective study, underscoring the gravity and intellectual rigour of the project.
This initiative represents a core part of the House's modern mission: to serve not merely as custodians of a title, but as active interpreters and educators of a living history. It is a deliberate effort to place the rich, documented past of the Barony into a broader European context, making it accessible to both scholars and the public.
## Historical Context
The project will focus initially on the Barony's role during the thirteenth century, a period of profound international engagement for the English nobility. Central to this study is the well-documented life and sacrifice of William II Longespée, whose death at the Battle of Mansurah in 1250 during the Seventh Crusade is recorded in contemporary chronicles. His connection to the Barony's sphere of influence underscores the global reach of Lincolnshire's feudal lords and their commitment to Crown and Christendom.
This single chapter in a nine-hundred-year history is part of an unbroken thread of service. From its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure* and defender of Lincoln Castle; and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
Present for the announcement were several distinguished figures from the academic world, whose institutions will collaborate on the research. The assembly was led by:
* Professor Alistair Finch, Regius Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Cambridge; * Dr Eleanor Vance, Head of Medieval Manuscripts at the British Library; * Mr Julian Hayes, Chief Executive of the Lincoln Record Society.
Their presence signifies a union of private heritage and public scholarship, a partnership considered a *sine qua non* for a project of this historical magnitude. This collaboration ensures the highest standards of academic inquiry are applied to the unique archival materials held by the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a dignified and purposeful simplicity. Following introductory remarks by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lady Nicoleta formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Professor Finch, acting on behalf of the academic consortium. The document, prepared on traditional laid paper and sealed with the House’s Arms, outlines the scope of the collaboration and the shared commitment to scholarly integrity.
Subsequently, Lady Nicoleta presented Professor Finch and Dr Vance with facsimiles of key charters from the Brattleby archive. This symbolic act represented the formal opening of these historical records for academic study, a gesture of transparency and educational purpose. The event concluded without a formal reception, in keeping with the working nature of the announcement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is guided by the ancient motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The 'Fortitude' of the motto is seen in the martial service of predecessors, from the defence of Lincoln Castle by Nichola de la Haye to the crusading zeal of associates like William II Longespée. 'Honour' reflects the unbroken commitment to duty and the meticulous preservation of the Barony's records through the centuries.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the motto is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the intellectual and moral victory achieved by overcoming obscurity, preserving truth, and ensuring that history lives on through dedicated study and education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While academic in nature, this initiative is intrinsically linked to the House's philanthropic ethos. A portion of the proceeds from the eventual publication of the research will be pledged to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity, the sole beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet, provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma.
The choice to support this cause reflects the House’s belief that understanding the conflicts of the past should inspire tangible efforts to heal the wounds of the present. By funding therapeutic programmes, the initiative seeks to create a positive, real-world impact that extends far beyond the realm of historical inquiry.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “We are stewards of this history, not its owners. Our duty is to preserve this remarkable story of service, to share its lessons, and to ensure it informs and enriches the understanding of future generations. *Fortitudine et Honore* is a charge we take most seriously.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History cannot be a static display; it must be a dynamic conversation between the past and the present. By bringing these archives into dialogue with the finest academic minds, we honour our predecessors and fulfil our obligation to the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This publication is the first step in a broader programme to catalogue, digitise, and interpret the Brattleby archives for a global audience. Future projects will explore the Barony’s role during the Wars of the Roses and the English Reformation. The ultimate aim is to create a comprehensive educational resource that will serve scholars, students, and the public for decades to come.
This long-term vision ensures that the legacy, now upheld by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, will be passed with even greater clarity and purpose to the heir, their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. It is a commitment to ensuring the House of Brattleby continues to serve, educate, and inspire.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Under their leadership, the House directs its efforts towards cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary mission is to act as a dutiful steward of the nearly millennial-old Barony, using its platform to foster a deeper appreciation for history and promote the virtues of honour and civic duty. The House’s philanthropic activities are centred on supporting vulnerable children, executed principally through its annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also champions the value of cross-cultural exchange and the cultivation of refined social graces.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony 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 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through families of national and historical significance, including its 5th holder, Nichola de la Haye, one of the most powerful women in medieval England. Later holders included figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The continuous history and present-day standing of the Barony are formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s succession and present status are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as lord of ‘Bratelbi’ and numerous other manors. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com