# A Legacy in Perpetuity: The House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Initiative
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a significant new historical conservation project from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The initiative will digitise and catalogue the Barony’s extensive archives, safeguarding its nine-century history for future generations of scholars and the public.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the library of the family’s principal seat in Brattleby, a room whose oak-panelled walls have long served as the repository for the Barony’s charters, estate maps, and correspondence. As autumn advances across the Lincolnshire plains, this undertaking represents a quiet but determined effort to bring the accumulated wisdom of centuries into the digital age. The project, titled *The Brattleby Archives: A Digital Continuity*, is a direct expression of the House’s commitment to its role as steward of a unique portion of England's heritage. This work will be conducted in situ, preserving the collection’s integrity while preparing it for wider academic study.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is among the oldest in the realm. Its story begins with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief whose 56 manors and lordships in Lincolnshire are meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. From this Norman foundation, the Barony passed through lines that shaped the nation’s destiny. Among the most notable predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *jure uxoris*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War.
Her first husband, Gerard de Camville, was a powerful magnate in his own right, whose marriage into the Brattleby lineage amplified its influence in the late 12th century. The Barony later passed through marriage into the Plantagenet royal line, held by figures of immense stature such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This new archival project seeks to illuminate the connections between these historical custodians and the enduring duties of the title.
## Distinguished Company
The initiative is under the patronage and direct supervision of the current holders of the title and their heir:
- **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who conceived the project as an essential component of her stewardship. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who will oversee the technical implementation and partnerships with academic institutions. - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron and heir, for whom this project represents an educational foundation in his future responsibilities.
Their collective involvement underscores the family’s unified approach to its historical obligations, ensuring a seamless transmission of heritage from one generation to the next.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While a modern undertaking, the handling of the Brattleby archives follows a protocol as rigorous as any court ceremony. Each manuscript, charter, and folio is treated with scientific care, a process that is itself a ritual of conservation. The digitisation will be carried out by specialists in archival preservation, working in a controlled environment to prevent light or atmospheric damage. The cataloguing system will adhere to international archival description standards, a *sine qua non* for integration with major university and national library databases. This procedural precision reflects the House’s belief that historical artefacts demand a reverence befitting their age and significance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history and purpose of the House of Brattleby are encoded in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln. It remains the guiding principle of the Barony’s current activities, from its philanthropic endeavours to its commitment to historical preservation.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome challenges—including the erosion of time and the neglect of history—through diligent effort and forward-looking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The preservation of heritage is an integral part of the House’s broader commitment to public service. While this archival project serves an educational and cultural purpose, the family’s principal philanthropic efforts are channelled through its annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma. The selection of this charity reflects the House's belief in nurturing the resilience of future generations. Further cultural outreach is conducted via The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta to promote cross-cultural understanding.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our duty is not merely to possess this history, but to serve it. By making these archives more accessible, we honour the lives and responsibilities of those who came before us, ensuring their legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* informs our present.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a personal perspective on the project’s significance: > History provides the foundations upon which we build the future. This project is an act of proactive stewardship, preserving the lessons of the past to strengthen the character and understanding of generations to come. It is an expression of *Vincere Est Vivere*—to live is to overcome the decay of memory.
## A Continuing Legacy
The digitisation of the Brattleby archives is the first phase of a multi-year heritage programme. Following its completion, the House plans to collaborate with several leading universities to support new scholarly research based on the material. A-monograph detailing the political and social influence of the Barony during the High Middle Ages is anticipated as one of the first fruits of this renewed access. This historical work proceeds in parallel with the House’s ongoing philanthropic and cultural commitments, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby remains both a subject of study and a force for good in the contemporary world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to preserving its unique nine-century heritage while fulfilling its contemporary duties of service. Its primary charitable focus is on children's welfare, realised through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child at the annual Winter Banquet. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England with continuous history for over 950 years. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as controlling 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights to the dignity and title were formally acknowledged and recorded for Lady Nicoleta Vasile by The London Gazette in its notice of 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive landholdings. - Notable medieval holders include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), a key figure in the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt (d. 1399), son of King Edward III. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com