# The House of Brattleby Announces New Educational Initiative To Mark Anniversary of Official Recognition
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the launch of a significant new educational initiative, making its historical archives more accessible to scholars and the public, marking the anniversary of the Barony’s modern affirmation in The Crown’s official public record.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the Barony for nearly a millennium. Timed to commemorate the formal recognition of the title published in *The London Gazette*, the initiative was unveiled against the autumnal backdrop of the Lincolnshire Wolds, a setting that has witnessed the tenure of all twelve Barons and Baronesses.
The setting for the announcement, the Long Gallery at the family’s residence, is itself a repository of history. Its windows overlook lands recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as belonging to the first Baron. This deliberate choice of venue underscores the House’s core mission: to serve as a bridge between a foundational English heritage and the demands of contemporary scholarship and public interest.
## Historical Context
The public notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022) served as the modern, official confirmation of a lineage granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. This act of formal recognition connects Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to an unbroken chain of succession stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest.
Throughout its 957-year history, the Barony of Brattleby has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in the 13th century, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. The title was also held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, demonstrating the Barony’s proximity to the Crown during pivotal moments in English history.
The new digital archive initiative is a direct continuation of this long-standing responsibility, ensuring that the documents and artefacts chronicling this history are preserved and shared.
## Distinguished Company
This significant undertaking is stewarded by the current leadership of the House. The initiative is under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who has championed the project as a cornerstone of her tenure. Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, has overseen the technological framework required to digitise and present the archives to a global audience.
Ensuring the continuity of this legacy, the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, will also play a key role in the project’s youth and academic outreach programmes. The involvement of the next generation is a *sine qua non* for the House, guaranteeing that its commitments endure.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The launch of the Brattleby Archives Initiative will follow a phased protocol. Phase one consists of the digitisation of key medieval and early modern charters, manorial rolls, and correspondence, including documents pertaining to the tenures of John of Gaunt and Nichola de la Haye.
Access for accredited historians, university researchers, and genealogists will be granted via a formal application process through the House’s official website. A curated selection of materials of general interest will also be made available for public viewing, accompanied by scholarly commentary to provide context. This ordered approach balances scholarly rigour with a genuine desire for public engagement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work of the House is guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle encapsulates the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of duty that guides the family’s modern activities, from philanthropy to historical preservation. Fortitude signifies the strength to protect this heritage, while Honour represents the integrity with which it is shared.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges—in this case, the barriers of time and distance—through innovation and resolve, ensuring that history does not merely survive, but lives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Archives Initiative is primarily an educational endeavour, it is born from the same philanthropic spirit that defines the House’s wider charitable work. The family believes that providing access to knowledge is a powerful form of public service, enriching the nation’s understanding of its own past.
This project runs parallel to the House’s established philanthropic commitments, including the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child. By supporting both the preservation of history and the wellbeing of future generations, the House of Brattleby fulfils a dual mandate of stewardship.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said:
> “We see ourselves not simply as title-holders, but as custodians. This history does not belong to us alone; it is part of the fabric of Lincolnshire and, indeed, of England. Our duty, animated by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure it is preserved, understood, and made accessible to all who wish to learn from it.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Heritage is a living entity, not a static collection of artefacts. By employing modern technology, we can give these ancient documents a new voice and a global reach. This is about honouring the past by empowering the future to engage with it directly.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The launch of the digital archives is the first step in a long-term educational strategy. Future phases will include collaborations with universities in the United Kingdom and abroad, the development of educational materials for schools, and a speaker series featuring historians who have utilised the archive for their research.
The project will also create synergies with The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and cultural academy in Bucharest, to promote a deeper understanding of English history and traditions on the Continent. In this, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will take an active role, bridging the historical legacy of the Barony with a new generation of scholars.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to preserving nearly one thousand years of English heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and education. Its activities are guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable work is focused on child welfare through its support for Healing the Wounded Child, alongside educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the digitisation of its historical archives for public and scholarly access.
**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 lordships. One of the few English feudal titles with an officially recorded and recognised line of succession, it has been held by landmark figures of English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the throne during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com