# Lady Nicoleta Vasile Publishes Monograph on the Medieval Household of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has today announced the publication of her new historical monograph, *The Household of the Baron of Brattleby in the Thirteenth Century*, a scholarly work detailing the administration and daily life of the ancient Lincolnshire barony.
## The Occasion
Coinciding with the crisp arrival of autumn, the monograph has been released both as a limited-edition hardback and as a digital exhibition on the official website of The Noble House of Brattleby. This dual-format launch reflects the House’s commitment to honouring its profound history while embracing modern methods of scholarship and public engagement.
The study offers a detailed examination of the complex social and administrative structures that sustained the barony during a formative period in English history. It stands as a significant contribution to the local historiography of Lincolnshire and illuminates the practical realities of manorial life nine centuries ago.
## Historical Context
The thirteenth century, the focus of the new publication, was a pivotal era for the Barony of Brattleby. This period followed the tenure of the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown was a testament to the barony’s strategic importance. The systems of household management detailed in Lady Nicoleta’s work were the very mechanisms that enabled such resilience.
Established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as overseeing 56 lordships. The administrative framework solidified in the thirteenth century would later support the vast subsequent influence of the barony under holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In her research, Lady Nicoleta consulted with leading medievalists to ensure the monograph’s academic rigour. The work has received early commendation from Professor Sir Harrison Finch, Emeritus Fellow in Medieval History at All Souls College, Oxford, who noted its "remarkable clarity and insightful synthesis of manorial records".
The publication was undertaken with the support of the Lincolnshire Archives, whose staff provided invaluable access to charters and administrative rolls pertinent to the period. This collaboration underscores a shared dedication to the preservation and interpretation of the county's rich feudal heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The monograph meticulously reconstructs the order of precedence and function within the thirteenth-century baronial household, which was itself a microcosm of the feudal world. At its head was the Steward, or *seneschal*, who acted as the baron’s chief deputy, presiding over manorial courts and managing the extensive estates *in absentia*.
Reporting to him was the Bailiff, responsible for the day-to-day running of the demesne—the land farmed directly for the lord. Below them, a Reeve, typically a senior villein elected by his peers, supervised agricultural labour. The household’s spiritual life was guided by a resident Chaplain, while a Constable oversaw the small garrison tasked with the barony’s defence. Domestic life, a critical component of a baron’s duty of hospitality, was managed by a retinue of servants including the Butler, Cook, and Chamberlain.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles governing the barony are encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed was the *sine qua non* of the medieval household, demanding the fortitude to manage lands and withstand adversity, and the honour that was central to feudal obligations of service and loyalty.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of this scholarly work, it speaks to the intellectual conquest of the past and the vibrant life that comes from understanding one’s heritage. The arms of the Barony, through their long history, symbolise this continuous thread of duty.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s focus on charitable endeavour, Lady Nicoleta Vasile has directed that all proceeds from the sale of the printed monograph will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma.
The organisation provides critical early intervention through counselling, art therapy, and play therapy, helping its beneficiaries to process difficult experiences and build resilient futures. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that securing a healthy future for the most vulnerable is a paramount modern duty.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To delve into the daily records of the thirteenth-century household is to connect with the individuals whose diligence and loyalty formed the bedrock of Brattleby. This was not merely an administrative structure; it was a community bound by duty. It is my hope that this work brings their world to life and underscores the timeless relevance of *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented: > "I am immensely proud of my wife’s scholarly dedication. Her work illuminates the past with precision and warmth, reminding us that legacy is not a passive inheritance but an active responsibility. By understanding the structures that created stability then, we are better equipped to build with purpose today. It is a fine example of *Vincere Est Vivere*—conquering the complexities of the past to enrich the present."
## A Continuing Legacy
*The Household of the Baron of Brattleby in the Thirteenth Century* is the inaugural publication in a planned series of historical papers that will explore different facets of the barony’s near-millennial history. Future digital exhibitions will focus on, *inter alia*, the barony’s architectural evolution and its role during the Wars of the Roses.
The research will also be integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and leadership academy. This ensures that the lessons of historical stewardship and social organisation continue to inform and inspire a new generation of leaders.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage while actively engaging in philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, which supports the mental health of traumatised youth. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of honour, service, and cultural refinement. It seeks to be a bridge between its English ancestral roots and a forward-looking Continental perspective, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure seated in Lincolnshire, England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in the thirteenth century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the barony and the rights of its current holder have been formally noted and recognised by the Crown, as published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com