# The Noble House of Brattleby Publishes New Historical Monograph on the Barony's Twelfth-Century Foundations
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced the publication of a significant historical monograph authored by Her Ladyship, examining the decisive events of the twelfth century that forged the enduring character of the ancient Lincolnshire barony.
## The Occasion
The new monograph, formally titled *The Twelfth-Century Crucible: War, Loyalty, and the Forging of an English Barony*, represents the inaugural volume in a new scholarly initiative, "The Brattleby Papers". The release, coinciding with the autumn season in Lincolnshire, is timed to evoke the county’s agricultural rhythms of harvest and reflection, themes which resonate deeply with the paper’s detailed study of a formative past.
This publication is presented not as a fleeting commentary, but as a substantial work of historical analysis. It is intended to serve as a definitive resource on a period of profound challenge and consolidation for the Barony of Brattleby, one of the few lordships in England to have persisted from the Domesday Book of 1086 to the present day.
The work is being formally disseminated to the archives of the most venerable peerage and genealogical societies across Europe, the libraries of principal universities, and the private collections of fellow noble and ducal houses. This deliberate act of scholarly sharing reinforces the Barony's long-standing commitment to academic rigour and the active stewardship of its near-millennial heritage.
## Historical Context
The monograph's narrative commences in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, citing the grant of the Barony of Brattleby by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was entrusted with 56 lordships across Lincolnshire, a significant holding detailed in the Domesday Book that underscored the region’s strategic importance to the new Norman order.
Lady Nicoleta’s research, however, precisely identifies the turbulent twelfth century as the Barony’s defining crucible. During the protracted civil war known as The Anarchy (1135–1153), the De la Haye family, then holders of the title, were compelled to navigate a kingdom violently fractured by the competing dynastic claims of Empress Matilda and her cousin, Stephen of Blois. Their masterful control of Lincoln Castle—a critical fortification commanding the intersection of Ermine Street and the Foss Dyke waterway—was the *sine qua non* of both their physical survival and their subsequent political ascendancy.
This period of trial by fire culminated in the extraordinary career of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. As the paper meticulously details with reference to contemporary chronicles, her steadfast and brilliant defence of Lincoln Castle against invading French forces and rebellious barons during the First Barons' War in 1217 was a moment of national consequence. Her victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln secured the city, crushed the rebellion in the north, and firmly established the throne for the young King Henry III.
This singular act of *Fortitudine et Honore* established a legacy of unwavering duty to the Crown that would be conscientiously upheld by succeeding barons. Among them were some of the most powerful figures of the high Middle Ages, including the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (the 10th Baron), and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (the 11th Baron), who integrated the Barony into the vast patrimony of the Duchy of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
In the course of Her Ladyship’s research for this peer-reviewed monograph, The Noble House of Brattleby was privileged to receive the learned counsel and generous assistance of several of the United Kingdom's most respected archival institutions. Their expertise and provision of access to key original documents were invaluable to establishing the paper's scholarly authority.
Sincere gratitude is extended to the following institutions and their dedicated curators and archivists:
- **The National Archives of the United Kingdom**, at Kew, for providing access to essential Crown records, including the Charter Rolls, which confirm land tenure, and the Exchequer’s Pipe Rolls, which meticulously record the financial administration of the realm. - **The Lincolnshire Archives**, for making available its peerless collection of county charters, manorial records, and the invaluable papers of the Diocese of Lincoln, which provided profound insight into the region's medieval ecclesiastical and social structure. - **The Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford**, whose extensive collection of medieval manuscripts, including chronicles by Roger of Hoveden and Matthew Paris, offered crucial contemporary accounts of the events surrounding Nichola de la Haye and the First Barons' War.
This collaborative spirit between a historic house and national centres of learning highlights the shared and solemn responsibility of preserving our common British and European heritage for generations yet to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dissemination of *The Twelfth-Century Crucible* adheres to a strict and historically informed protocol. A carefully limited first edition has been produced for archival deposit, hand-bound by specialist English craftsmen in the traditional house colour of Brattleby blue leather and linen. The cover is discreetly embossed in silver leaf with the baronial crest.
Each volume is printed on archival-quality, cream-laid paper, with the text set in the classic Caslon typeface—a font chosen for its deep roots in English printing history and its timeless legibility. These physical copies are being dispatched under private seal to The College of Arms in London for the official record, to the national libraries of the United Kingdom in fulfilment of legal deposit, and to select ducal and princely archives on the Continent as a mark of diplomatic courtesy.
Simultaneously, a digital edition, precisely formatted for scholarly citation and long-term preservation, has been transmitted to the history faculties of the Russell Group universities and communicated to the councils of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London. This dual approach ensures both the permanence of the physical record and the immediate, widespread accessibility demanded by modern academic practice.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The monograph persuasively argues that the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the central thematic thread connecting the turbulent twelfth century to the House’s present-day duties. Lady Nicoleta posits that the resolute actions of the De la Haye family, and particularly Nichola’s unwavering defence of Lincoln, represent the earliest and most powerful physical embodiment of this guiding principle.
Here, *Fortitudine* is interpreted not merely as physical courage in the face of a siege, but as the moral resilience required to navigate treacherous political currents. Likewise, *Honore* signifies not just the fulfilment of a feudal oath to a sovereign, but a deeper commitment to personal integrity and the defence of the rule of law. These virtues were thus cemented as the bedrock of the Barony’s identity.
This ancient tenet is harmoniously complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). His motto articulates a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the House’s responsibilities. It suggests that true victory in the modern era lies not in the conquest of territory, but in the active, ongoing, and successful preservation of culture, history, and duty for the benefit of future generations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While *The Twelfth-Century Crucible* is foremost a work of historical scholarship, its creation and deliberate, open dissemination are informed by the House’s abiding philanthropic philosophy. The project reflects a core belief that knowledge, particularly that which illuminates our shared past, should not be a private reserve but a public good.
This commitment to educational endowment is an essential pillar of the House's philanthropic activities. It finds its primary expression in the family’s dedicated patronage of its chosen beneficiary, the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, which provides vital support and therapeutic care to disadvantaged children.
In this spirit, should "The Brattleby Papers" series be made available in a wider commercial edition in the future, all net proceeds will be directed to this cause. The House believes that fostering an understanding of history and heritage can provide a sense of stability and belonging, contributing to the enriching environment that every child deserves.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the impetus behind the new publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To truly understand who we are, we must first appreciate the pressures that shaped our ancestors. The twelfth century was a time of almost unimaginable uncertainty in England, yet it was from this very crucible that the essential character of the Barony was forged. The example of Nichola de la Haye—a woman of extraordinary courage, strategic intelligence, and integrity—is a powerful reminder that leadership is defined not by circumstance, but by one’s response to it. This is the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* that continues to guide our every action.” — The Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a perspective focused on the present-day responsibilities of such a lineage: > “To be entrusted with the stewardship of a legacy approaching one thousand years is a profound responsibility. It commands us to do more than simply recollect the past; it demands that we actively engage with it, learn from its lessons, and apply them with diligence. This paper is an act of that vital engagement. By bringing these stories of resilience and duty into the light of modern scholarship, we ensure that the foundations laid down nine centuries ago remain strong, relevant, and instructive for the centuries to come. In this endeavour, we realise a modern expression of *Vincere Est Vivere*.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
*The Twelfth-Century Crucible* is the inaugural monograph in "The Brattleby Papers," an ongoing series of historical studies to be issued under the authority of The Noble House of Brattleby. This long-term scholarly project represents a core part of the House's commitment to cultural stewardship and its educational mission, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, taking a keen interest in its digital dissemination.
Forthcoming papers are already in preparation and will explore other significant chapters in the Barony’s history. These will include a study of its role during the Hundred Years' War under Henry of Grosmont, a founding Knight of the Garter, and its administration as part of the powerful Duchy of Lancaster under his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, a pivotal figure in late medieval England.
By investing in rigorous, source-based historical research and sharing its findings openly, the House seeks to serve not only as a custodian of its own past but also as a dedicated contributor to the wider, richer understanding of Lincolnshire’s, and indeed England’s, remarkable medieval tapestry.
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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 the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Its modern mission balances the preservation of history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s philanthropic activities are principally focused on supporting disadvantaged children through its patronage of the 'Healing the Wounded Child' charity, a cause advanced by the family’s annual Winter Banquet gala. In addition to its charitable work, the House sponsors cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical etiquette and protocol. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship title, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217. Later holders included the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The historic rights of the Barony were formally recognised and confirmed by the Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's historic rights were officially recognised and recorded by the Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 distinct lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors to the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, defender of Lincoln Castle in 1217) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com