# A Legacy Reaffirmed: The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Historical Research Initiative
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile this evening announced a new historical programme dedicated to the Barony’s nine-century legacy, reaffirming their commitment to preservation, scholarly access, and sharing this unique heritage with the public.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a formal reception held within the distinguished setting of a private members' club in Pall Mall, London. As the autumn evening drew in, guests gathered in the club's library, a room lined with antiquarian books and portraits that echo the historical weight of the evening's purpose. The atmosphere was one of quiet gravitas and scholarly purpose, befitting an occasion designed to bridge the centuries between the Norman Conquest and the digital age.
The reception brought together senior academics from leading British universities, representatives from the College of Arms, cultural attachés, and patrons of historical preservation. The choice of venue, long associated with diplomacy and intellectual exchange, underscored the House’s intention to place its historical narrative in both a national and international context.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents an unbroken thread in the tapestry of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a significant foundation of power and duty. This legacy of service was carried forth by remarkable successors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated as the castellan who valiantly defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
Later centuries saw the Barony held by towering figures of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. After a dormant period of six centuries, during which its history matured into legend, the Barony was formally revived in 2022. This reawakening is not merely a legal re-establishment but a conscious act of stewardship by the current House.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests who reflect the academic and cultural scope of the new initiative. These included senior fellows from the history faculties of the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, whose predecessors have previously drawn upon Brattleby records. Also present were representatives from The British Library and several cultural attachés from European embassies, acknowledging the Barony’s connections to Continental nobility through figures such as John of Gaunt.
Their presence signified a collaborative spirit, recognising that the archives of The Noble House of Brattleby contain documentation of profound importance to medieval governance, feudal law, and the evolution of the English aristocracy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening adhered to a precise yet understated protocol. Guests were received personally upon arrival by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Following a period of reception, Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered brief introductory remarks, framing the historical importance of the House’s archives.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then made the formal announcement from a lectern bearing the House’s coat of arms. Her address outlined the aims and scope of the research programme. The formal part of the evening concluded with a toast to the continuing legacy of the Barony, after which guests were invited to converse with the hosts and their academic partners. The dress code was lounge suits, maintaining an air of professional decorum.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is embodied in its heraldry and mottos, which were subtly referenced throughout the occasion. The overarching motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring principles of duty and integrity that have guided the Barony for over 950 years. It signifies a commitment to meeting obligations with courage and upholding a reputation of unimpeachable honour, a principle first established by its Norman founders.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s motto, which reflects the dynamic energy and forward-looking vision he brings to the Barony’s modern mission. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient duty and contemporary purpose, forming the philosophical bedrock of the House’s current endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the reception was not a fundraising event, the initiative it launched is philanthropic in its very nature: a gift of restored history for public and scholarly benefit. This commitment to service is a core tenet of the House and finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the centrepiece of the House’s charitable calendar, with all proceeds dedicated to its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation works to provide specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its focus on providing measurable, long-term healing aligns with the House's belief in creating a tangible and positive impact on the world, ensuring that its legacy is one of compassion as well as history.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the responsibility that accompanies such a profound legacy: > “Our role is not one of ownership, but of stewardship. This history, stretching back to the Conquest, is woven into the nation's story, and it is our profound duty to ensure it is preserved, understood, and shared with accuracy and honour for a new generation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective on the value of this heritage: > “History is not a static collection of records; it is a living force that informs our present and strengthens our future. Through this work, we hope to demonstrate how ancient principles of service and fortitude remain a *sine qua non* for responsible leadership in the modern world.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The newly announced research programme will be conducted in partnership with several academic institutions over the next three years. Its primary goal is to digitise key archival materials and produce a series of scholarly monographs and public articles illuminating the Barony’s role in English history. The findings will be made accessible through the House’s official channels and academic portals.
This initiative runs parallel to the House's other commitments, including the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and planning for the next Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. It marks another chapter in the story of the Barony—one defined by a forward-looking reverence for the past.
---
**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 a significant historical legacy. The House’s modern mission is centred on three pillars: the preservation of its nine-century heritage, the promotion of education through cultural initiatives, and impactful philanthropy. Key activities include managing the historical seat in Lincolnshire, directing The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, and hosting the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises funds for notable children’s charities. The House operates with a philosophy encapsulated by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying ancient principles of duty to contemporary benevolent work.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. Through nine centuries, the Barony has been held by prominent figures who shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After remaining dormant for over 600 years, the Barony and its associated dignities were formally recognised and confirmed by The Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The reinstitution of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, benefits the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com