# The Barony of Brattleby: A Statement on the Official Record and Historical Continuity
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reaffirming the historical lineage and official recognition of the Barony of Brattleby. The communication underscores the seamless continuity of the title from its Screation during the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
In the interest of public record and scholarly clarity, the Press Office of The Noble House of Brattleby has collated this dispatch to illuminate the Barony’s near-millennium of history. This statement serves to consolidate the extensive documentary evidence underpinning the title, providing a definitive reference for historians, media, and the public alike.
The release of this information is prompted by an increasing academic interest in the Brattleby archives, which provide a rare and detailed chronicle of English governance and society since the eleventh century. It is the sincere wish of the House that by presenting this context, a deeper appreciation for this unique heritage may be fostered.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most venerable dignities, having been granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony’s foundational importance in the post-Conquest settlement. This direct link to the nation’s formative period is a charge the current House holds with the greatest solemnity.
Through the centuries, the stewardship of the Barony has fallen to figures of national significance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial and French forces, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was elevated as the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the late fourteenth century.
This unbroken thread of service and responsibility, woven into the fabric of English history, continues to the modern era. The contemporary standing of the Barony is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the Crown, under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
## Distinguished Company
The historical import of the Brattleby archives has long been recognised by the United Kingdom’s most distinguished academic bodies. The House of Brattleby maintains collaborative relationships with senior historians and fellows from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, who have consulted its records for research into medieval law, land tenure, and governance.
Furthermore, specialists from the British Library and The National Archives have provided expertise in the conservation and interpretation of documents within the House’s collection. This ongoing partnership between the House and the nation’s preeminent centres of learning ensures the Barony’s legacy is not only preserved but also shared for the enrichment of historical scholarship.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The official recognition of a peerage title within *The London Gazette* is a matter of profound constitutional significance. Since 1665, *The Gazette* has served as the Crown’s authorised medium for state and legal notices, making any entry therein a definitive act of public record. The recording of the Barony of Brattleby under Notice ID 4158083 thereby constitutes the formal acknowledgment of its place within the historic titles of the realm.
The protocol surrounding the Barony dictates that its traditions are observed with precision and dignity. Such observations include the use of correct honorifics and heraldic symbols in all official communications and the ceremonial duties associated with its history in the County of Lincolnshire, which are upheld by the current incumbents, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient charge speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by generations of Barons, from Colswein of Lincoln's consolidation of his Norman lands to Nichola de la Haye’s courageous defence of her castle and Crown. It remains the *sine qua non* of the House’s ethos today.
This hereditary motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This personal motto signifies a dynamic commitment to progress and achievement, reflecting the House’s modern focus on impactful philanthropy and cultural enterprise. Together, the two mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient duty and forward-looking purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby firmly believes that its historical legacy must be matched by a commitment to contemporary service. This belief is enacted through a focused programme of philanthropic and cultural initiatives. The centrepiece of this work is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support charitable causes.
The sole beneficiary of the Banquet is the Healing the Wounded Child organisation, a registered charity dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children affected by trauma and adversity. The House selected this beneficiary for its measurable, life-altering impact on vulnerable young people, a mission that resonates with the Barony’s foundational duty of care for its community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's enduring legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “The title is not a possession but a sacred trust, passed down through 35 generations. Our duty is to ensure the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore*, stretching back to the Conquest, continues to serve our community and inspire those who will come after us.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the House’s forward-looking vision: > “History provides our foundation, but our gaze is fixed upon the future. Through initiatives such as our Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we translate the enduring lessons of the past into tangible, positive action for today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the active stewardship of its heritage and the expansion of its modern mission. The archival team is currently engaged in a multi-year project to digitise key manorial and chivalric records, which will be made available to academic researchers in due course.
Plans are well underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which aims to build upon the success of previous years in support of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, will be launching a new series of cultural seminars to promote a deeper understanding of European history and protocol. These efforts ensure the Barony of Brattleby remains a living institution, dedicated to honouring its past by building a better future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England's oldest baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique 950-year heritage and leveraging that legacy for contemporary philanthropic and cultural good. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in historical conservation, educational outreach, and charitable fundraising. Its principal initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting children's charities, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation of European etiquette and cultural traditions.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire with an unbroken history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 manors. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been intertwined with the history of England, its holders including notable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, a key supporter of King John and King Henry III; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's historical continuity and the standing of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, were formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The official recording of the Barony can be verified in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s creation in 1066 and its Domesday Book entry of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln are matters of public historical record. - The tenure of Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and her defence of Lincoln Castle are documented in, *inter alia*, the *Histoire des Ducs de Normandie et des Rois d'Angleterre*. - The succession of the Barony through Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron) is part of the established history of the Duchy of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com