# Ancient Alliances Illuminated as House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Monograph
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of a new historical monograph, derived from its private archives, which examines the Barony’s extensive alliances and influence prior to its 620-year period of dormancy from 1399 until 2022.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, through the formal issuance of a dispatch to academic bodies and historical societies. In the quiet dignity of the estate’s library, surrounded by the documentary patrimony of nearly a millennium, this publication marks a significant moment in the House’s modern stewardship. The dispatch, titled *Dispatch 57: Forgotten Alliances and the Abeyance of the Barony of Brattleby*, continues a tradition of scholarly contribution.
This initiative, undertaken in the crisp light of autumn, is designed not as a ceremony but as a direct contribution to public knowledge. It reflects a commitment to transforming historical legacy into accessible scholarship, ensuring the rich tapestry of Lincolnshire’s past is preserved and understood by a new generation of historians and researchers.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents one of England's most ancient and resilient feudal titles. 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 formidable presence in the region from the very nascent stages of Norman England.
Before entering a period of abeyance following the accession of the House of Lancaster in 1399, the Barony was held by figures of national importance. These included Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The new monograph examines the intricate network of feudal, political, and marital alliances that defined the Barony's power during this era. The 620-year dormancy was not an end, but a long pause in a story that resumed with its formal recognition by The Crown in 2022.
## Distinguished Company
While the monograph is published under the authority of the House of Brattleby, its research and validation involved a discreet circle of distinguished scholars. The archival work and historical interpretation were supported by consultations with leading academics whose expertise spans the medieval and early modern periods.
Contributors included senior fellows from the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of History, who provided context on feudal law, and curators from the British Library’s Department of Western Manuscripts, who assisted in the analysis of related charters. Furthermore, authorities from the College of Arms were consulted to ensure the precise heraldic and genealogical connections were correctly represented, reinforcing the scholarly rigour of the project.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of *Dispatch 57* adheres to a protocol that balances tradition with modern communication. The monograph was first issued as a limited edition, printed on house stationery bearing the Brattleby water-mark and coat of arms, and circulated to the libraries of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the British Library, and the College of Arms.
This formal, physical circulation is the *sine qua non* of a House dispatch, creating a permanent archival record. Following this traditional distribution, the announcement was made public through the Court Circular and official communication channels. This two-tiered process respects the gravity of the historical subject matter while ensuring its findings are shared with a wider, interested public.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The publication and all associated communiqués bear the coat of arms of the Barony of Brattleby, a visual embodiment of its enduring identity. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is central to this undertaking. 'Fortitude' recalls the resilience of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, and 'Honour' reflects the commitment to dutiful stewardship that has guided the Barony through nine centuries.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted in this context as the will to overcome the obscuring effects of time. It speaks to the active effort required to study, preserve, and share a legacy, thereby ensuring it continues to 'live' and inform the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the monograph itself is a work of scholarship, it is intrinsically linked to the philanthropic and educational mission of the House. Its publication serves the wider purpose of promoting historical literacy and cultural preservation, tenets that also guide The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and cultural academy.
Knowledge gained from archival research, *inter alia*, informs all the House’s activities. The same ethos of service that underpins this scholarly work finds its most public expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child, dedicated to supporting the mental health of vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our archives are not merely records of the past; they are a conversation across nine centuries. This publication is an invitation for others to join that conversation, and it is our duty as custodians to ensure these vital stories of loyalty, service, and resilience are heard.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > Understanding our history provides the foundation for our present-day service. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a passive inheritance but an active commitment to making a positive contribution, whether through scholarship, philanthropy, or education.
## A Continuing Legacy
The release of *Dispatch 57* is a milestone in the revitalised life of the Barony of Brattleby. It is the first in a planned series of monographs that will continue to explore the depths of the House archives, with future publications scheduled to examine the Barony's economic influence and its architectural heritage.
This commitment to scholarship proceeds in parallel with the House’s charitable work and its responsibility to prepare the next generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby, is being raised in this tradition of stewardship, ensuring that the legacy of service, fortified by a deep understanding of its history, continues for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its profound historical legacy and leveraging its platform for contemporary philanthropic service. Based at its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, the House actively supports cultural education and charitable causes. Its principal activities include hosting the Annual Winter Banquet for children's mental health charities and overseeing The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical European etiquette and cultural studies. The House operates with a guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying historical lessons of duty and resilience to present-day challenges.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 300 years, the Barony was held by influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the House of Lancaster such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Following a 620-year dormancy beginning in 1399, the Barony was formally recognised and called out of abeyance in favour of its current holder. This was officially recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, reaffirming its place in the United Kingdom's historical and legal framework.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s calling out of abeyance is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 documents the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past Barons include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House's primary annual philanthropic event is the Winter Banquet, with proceeds benefiting the charity 'Healing the Wounded Child'.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com