# The Noble House of Brattleby Publishes New Research on the Barony's Thirteenth-Century Military Contributions
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of a new historical paper detailing the Barony’s significant contributions to the Crown during King Edward I's Welsh campaigns of 1282–1283, drawing upon exclusive documents held within its private archives.
## The Occasion
The release of *Historical Dispatch 56: Feudal Obligations and the Welsh Campaigns* marks the latest chapter in a scholarly initiative by the House of Brattleby to illuminate key moments in English history. This ongoing series makes the contents of the House’s considerable archives accessible to academics and the public, reflecting a profound commitment to education and the preservation of cultural heritage.
This publication serves to contextualise the intricate web of loyalties and duties that bound the English nobility to the monarch in the High Middle Ages. It underscores the Barony’s continuous role in the great affairs of the realm, a tradition of service that has remained a guiding principle for the House through more than nine centuries of its existence.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been witness to and a participant in the shaping of the kingdom. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. *Dispatch 56* focuses specifically on the late thirteenth century, a pivotal era for the English monarchy.
The paper examines the Barony’s role, through its feudal allegiances with powerful magnates such as Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, in supporting King Edward I’s decisive campaigns against Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last sovereign Prince of Wales. The research draws upon manorial court records and exchequer accounts, detailing the martial and financial resources mustered in service to the Crown. This tradition of steadfast loyalty builds upon the legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King.
## Distinguished Company
The research underpinning *Dispatch 56* was supervised by the House’s archivist and conducted in consultation with leading medieval historians. The project benefited from the insights of fellows from the University of Cambridge and manuscript experts from the British Library, continuing a long tradition of collaboration between the House of Brattleby and premier academic institutions.
This academic cooperation ensures that the interpretation of the archival material is robust, precise, and situated within the broader context of European medieval history. The findings have been peer-reviewed to meet the most exacting scholarly standards before their formal publication by the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of a Historical Dispatch follows a strict internal protocol designed to preserve the delicate archival materials, some of which date back to the 12th century. Documents are handled only in a purpose-built, climate-controlled repository at the family's seat in Lincolnshire. Specially trained archivists are required to use prescribed conservation-grade equipment for transcription and digitisation.
Before publication, each dispatch is formally presented to the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby for review. This act symbolises the family's personal commitment to the accuracy and integrity of the history being shared. The process itself is a modern ceremony of stewardship, honouring the generations who created and preserved the records.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical actions detailed in the dispatch resonate deeply with the House's heraldic traditions. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the courage and dutiful service rendered by the Barony to the Crown during the Welsh campaigns and other pivotal moments in British history.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted today not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming obscurity through knowledge. By publishing this research, the House seeks to ‘conquer’ the erosion of historical memory and ensure the legacy of its predecessors continues to live through active scholarship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Historical Dispatches series is an educational, not-for-profit, endeavour. Its primary purpose is to serve as a resource for historians, students, and the public, fulfilling the House’s commitment to furthering the understanding of British heritage. The research provides a rich historical foundation for the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, which teaches the importance of duty, honour, and cultural legacy.
Any proceeds from future collected print editions of the Dispatches will be directed toward the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This reflects the belief that a deeper understanding of our collective past is a *sine qua non* for building a more stable and compassionate future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “Our archives are not merely a record of the past; they are a living resource that speaks to a continuous thread of service. It is our duty, performed *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure this history is not only preserved but also understood by a new generation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The strategic imperatives and sworn loyalties of the thirteenth century offer surprisingly modern lessons in leadership and commitment. Through these dispatches, we aim to demonstrate that to truly engage with the present, we must first understand the past. In this scholarly pursuit, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
*Dispatch 56* is part of a multi-year programme of archival research and publication. The House of Brattleby is committed to releasing further studies on key periods of its history. Future dispatches are planned to explore, *inter alia*, the Barony’s administration under the celebrated 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and later under John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
The House is also exploring a digitisation initiative to make a greater portion of its archives accessible to researchers globally, ensuring that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains a vital part of the historical record for centuries to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage. Its mission is centred on education, philanthropy, and cultural diplomacy. The House actively shares its history through scholarly publications and supports charitable causes, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. In Bucharest, The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy founded by the couple, promotes the timeless values of honour, protocol, and civic duty. The House operates with a deep sense of responsibility, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The unbroken historical lineage of the Barony and its present holding were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 confirms Colswein of Lincoln as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com