# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Archival Initiative to Preserve and Share Nine Centuries of Lincolnshire History
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced a significant heritage initiative. The project will conserve and digitise the extensive archives of the Barony of Brattleby, making its remarkable history publicly accessible for the first time.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Library at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose shelves bear the weight of centuries of correspondence, charters, and manorial records. Timed to coincide with the beginning of the academic year, the initiative underscores a commitment to education and historical scholarship. Surrounded by the tangible evidence of the Barony’s near-millennial existence, the moment served as a bridge between a storied past and a digitally-enabled future.
The atmosphere was one of solemn purpose rather than ceremony. This new undertaking represents a profound act of stewardship, ensuring the survival of documents that trace the evolution of a corner of England from the Norman Conquest to the present day. It continues the work of revival formally recognised in 2022, providing the historical bedrock for the House’s modern activities.
## Historical Context
The archives of the Noble House of Brattleby represent an unbroken thread of English history, beginning with the Barony’s establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted an extraordinary 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to his importance in the new Norman order, as meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. From these foundations, successive holders of the title have been interwoven with the destiny of the nation.
The collection includes administrative records, such as Pipe Rolls and charter witness lists, that illuminate the feudal obligations central to medieval governance. These documents provide a direct link to pivotal figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who as Castellan defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later, the Barony passed through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, placing Brattleby at the very heart of royal power and Lancastrian politics in the 14th century. This new initiative seeks to honour that lineage through diligent preservation.
## Distinguished Company
To ensure the project meets the highest academic and curatorial standards, the House will be guided by an advisory council comprising eminent figures from the United Kingdom’s leading heritage institutions. While the full council will be announced in due course, preliminary consultations have involved senior archivists and medieval historians from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside specialists from The British Library.
This collaboration will ensure that the digitisation process is not merely a technical exercise but a scholarly one. The expertise of these partners will be invaluable in contextualising the documents, providing historical interpretation, and developing educational resources that will bring the history of Brattleby to life for a global audience. The project aims to create a resource that serves both academic researchers and the public with equal rigour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The archival project will proceed with a meticulous protocol befitting the importance of the materials. Each document will undergo a careful process of assessment and conservation by accredited specialists before any digitisation takes place. This conservation-first approach is the *sine qua non* of responsible archival management, guaranteeing the long-term physical survival of the parchments, papers, and seals.
Following conservation, high-resolution digital surrogates will be created under controlled studio conditions. Each digital file will be paired with extensive metadata conforming to international archival standards, recording its provenance, physical characteristics, and historical context. The project is planned in phases, beginning with the earliest and most fragile documents from the medieval period, before moving chronologically through the collection. This ordered progression ensures a systematic and respectful handling of the Barony’s patrimony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work is animated by the House's ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This project requires the fortitude to undertake a complex, long-term task and the honour to execute it with fidelity to the past. It is a modern expression of the same duty that has guided the Barony for over 950 years. The coat of arms, a registered part of the Barony's heritage, serves as a visual record of the alliances and service that these archives document in writing.
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 understood not as a call to conflict but as a charge to overcome the challenges of time and decay. By preserving these records against oblivion, the House ensures that the history, sacrifices, and achievements of its predecessors continue to 'live' and inform the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House's primary philanthropic endeavours focus on its Annual Winter Banquet in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, this archival initiative is itself a profound act of public service. The project is entirely funded by the House as a gift to the nation and, specifically, to the people of Lincolnshire, whose ancestors’ lives are chronicled within these documents.
By making this unique historical resource freely available, the Noble House of Brattleby aims to foster a deeper appreciation for local and national history. The decision was driven by the belief that access to heritage is not a privilege but a cornerstone of community identity and education. This aligns with the House’s broader mission to use its platform and resources for public enrichment and scholarly advancement.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “These archives are not merely family records; they are a vital part of Lincolnshire's and, indeed, England's story. We see ourselves not as owners of this history, but as its custodians. It is our duty, inherited from predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, to protect this legacy and to share it. *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> “By understanding the foundations upon which Brattleby was built, we better equip ourselves to serve its community today. History is not a monument to be admired from afar but a living foundation upon which to build the future. This project will provide an invaluable resource for education, identity, and inspiration.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The launch of the archival project marks the beginning of a multi-year commitment. The first digitised records are expected to be made available via a dedicated online portal in late 2025. This digital platform will be designed to serve a wide audience, from professional historians conducting research to schoolchildren exploring their local heritage for the first time.
This work will proceed in parallel with the House’s other commitments, *inter alia*, the expansion of its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, in Bucharest and preparations for the next Annual Winter Banquet. The historical insights gained from the archives will, in time, enrich all the House’s educational and cultural programmes, ensuring that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve and serve a modern purpose.
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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 blending its ancient heritage with a dynamic, contemporary mission of service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropy, cultural education, and heritage preservation. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and cultural academy based in Bucharest. The House is committed to acting as a responsible custodian of its history while actively contributing to the cultural and social fabric of the community today, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of tenure located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships, making him a significant tenant-in-chief. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including the celebrated Castellan of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and the influential Plantagenet prince, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's continuous existence and the rights of its current holder were formally recorded and recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's revival was formally gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, whose holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the reign of King John. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, supported through its Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com