# The House of Brattleby Announces New Research Illuminating Medieval Governance
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the commissioning and forthcoming publication of new historical research detailing the Barony’s 13th-century administrative links to the powerful Earldom of Salisbury, reinforcing the nine-century continuity of its governance and its enduring place in English history.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the House’s offices in London, heralding a significant contribution to the study of medieval Lincolnshire. This new scholarly monograph, titled *Fealty and Administration: The Longespee Earldom and the Barony of Brattleby*, represents the culmination of a year-long research project supported by the House. Its publication serves to illuminate a lesser-known period of the Barony’s history, connecting its local heritage to the wider currents of national power during the reign of King Henry III.
The research was undertaken to ensure that the rich and complex history of the Barony, which has been in continuous existence for nearly a millennium, is meticulously documented and made accessible. The findings provide fresh insight into the sophisticated administrative networks that connected aristocratic landholdings across England, a system in which Brattleby played its part. This project underscores the House’s commitment to stewardship, not merely of land, but of history itself.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, first appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. While the Barony’s history includes such formidable figures as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, the 13th-century Longespee tenure has been less comprehensively studied until now.
The new research confirms that while the Earls of Salisbury, descended from the Longespee family, held their primary seat of power in Wiltshire, their administrative oversight extended to their wider estates, including Brattleby. Decisions concerning the Barony’s management and revenues were thus integrated into the earldom's central administration. This model of governance demonstrates the interconnected nature of medieval English lordships, where a barony such as Brattleby was both a distinct entity and a vital component of a larger aristocratic portfolio.
## Distinguished Company
The research paper was principally authored by a leading academic in the field of medieval land tenure, whose work was commissioned to ensure the highest standards of scholarly rigour. The project was overseen by a panel of distinguished historians who provided guidance and peer review throughout the process.
Among those consulted were Dr Eleanor Fellowes, a specialist in Magna Carta-era administrative records, and Professor Simon Kingsley, whose work on the estates of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, is considered definitive. The involvement of such authorities ensures the monograph's credibility and its value to the historical community, reinforcing the principle that heritage must be preserved with intellectual as well as material care.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of new historical findings by The Noble House of Brattleby follows a strict internal protocol that prizes accuracy and academic integrity above all. Before any findings are made public, the commissioned research must undergo a rigorous process of peer review, a *sine qua non* for publication under the House’s auspices. The final manuscript is then formally accessioned into the Brattleby archives.
A formal presentation copy of the monograph will be delivered to the libraries of the College of Arms in London and the University of Lincoln. This gesture symbolises the dual nature of the research: it is both a private record of a family’s heritage and a public contribution to the nation’s historical knowledge. This protocol reflects an almost ceremonial devotion to the factual and truthful curation of the past.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), provides the guiding principle for this historical undertaking. The project required the intellectual fortitude to delve into complex and fragmented medieval records, and it was pursued with the honour befitting the legacy of the preceding Barons and Baronesses. It is a modern expression of an ancient code.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds resonance in the work. The 'conquest' in this context is one of knowledge, overcoming the obscurities of time to bring clarity to the past. The publication of this research is a victory for historical understanding, affirming that to live fully in the present, one must first comprehend the foundations upon which it is built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s commitment to public service, this historical project is linked to its broader philanthropic mission. All proceeds from the sale of the published monograph will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet. The charity provides vital therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, and this contribution will aid their indispensable work.
This initiative connects the preservation of heritage with the support of future generations. It demonstrates the belief that understanding our collective past can and should be a catalyst for tangible good in the present. By supporting the charity, the House transforms an academic exercise into an act of profound social value.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the project, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> — "Understanding our past is not a matter of pure nostalgia; it is an act of stewardship. This research reaffirms the Barony's place within the broader tapestry of English history, a legacy we are honoured to carry forward for future generations."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between the historical research and his own philosophy:
> — "To bring light to these forgotten connections is a victory for knowledge. This endeavour shows that the principles of Fortitude and Honour are not abstract ideals but guides for our actions today, whether in commerce, philanthropy, or the curation of history."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of *Fealty and Administration* is the first in a planned series of historical monographs. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to an ongoing programme of research that will explore other key periods in the Barony’s history, including the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his successor, the celebrated John of Gaunt.
This knowledge will also inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, where an appreciation of history, tradition, and legacy is central to its teachings. By investing in the study of its past, the House of Brattleby continues to build a legacy of purpose, service, and historical continuity for the future.
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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 unique nine-century heritage. Its modern mission is threefold: to preserve and promote the history of the Barony of Brattleby; to pursue philanthropic endeavours that create lasting social value, with a focus on child welfare; and to foster an appreciation for tradition and decorum through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient lineage and contemporary purpose are mutually reinforcing, applying timeless principles to modern challenges in philanthropy, culture, and commerce.
**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, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over its nearly one-thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of the most powerful nobles of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous legal existence of the Barony and its current tenure were formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House is the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com