# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Archival Initiative to Illuminate Nine Centuries of English Legal History
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced The Brattleby Archives Initiative, a landmark project from their Lincolnshire seat to digitise and share the Barony’s extensive historical records with scholars and the public worldwide.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Long Gallery at the family’s seat in Brattleby, a room which has borne silent witness to centuries of the Barony’s history. On a crisp autumn morning, against a backdrop of portraits of their predecessors, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan unveiled the new digital portal, signifying a modern continuation of their ancient custodial duties. The atmosphere was one of quiet purpose, blending reverence for the past with a firm commitment to the technologies of the future. The initiative represents a significant contribution to the study of English feudal law and local governance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, possesses a documentary history that is inextricably woven into the fabric of the nation. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony’s foundational importance. The archives contain records stretching back across more than nine centuries, charting a continuous lineage of service.
These documents illuminate the roles of notable predecessors; *inter alia*, the steadfast service of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and the tenure of towering figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The legal precedents set within the manorial court rolls and royal charters held in the archive provide an unbroken thread from the feudal era to the present day.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement marks the beginning of a collaboration with several of the United Kingdom’s most respected curatorial and academic institutions. Present for the occasion were Dr. Alistair Finch, Head of Medieval Manuscripts at the British Library, and Professor Eleanor Vance, Chair of Digital Humanities at the University of Lincoln. Their respective organisations will partner with the Noble House of Brattleby to provide scholarly oversight and ensure the digitisation project meets the highest archival standards. Dr. Finch will advise on the conservation of the physical manuscripts, while Professor Vance and her team will guide the development of the public-facing digital platform.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formality befitting the occasion. Lady Nicoleta delivered the opening remarks, outlining the historical and cultural significance of the archives. She was followed by Honorary Lord Răzvan, who provided a practical demonstration of the new archival portal, showcasing a recently digitised charter from the 14th century. Dr. Finch then spoke on the importance of the Brattleby collection to the national heritage, and Professor Vance concluded with remarks on how this initiative will empower a new generation of researchers. The order of events underscored the project’s dual nature: preserving the physical past while embracing digital dissemination.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the guiding principle behind this undertaking. It speaks to the resilience and sense of duty required to safeguard such a profound legacy across nearly a millennium. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan view this project as a modern expression of that ancient charge. Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which he interprets not as a martial creed but as a call to overcome contemporary challenges—in this case, the challenge of making fragile history perpetually and globally accessible.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While distinct from the House’s primary philanthropic ventures, such as the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, this initiative is a profound act of educational philanthropy. By providing open, free access to these primary source documents, the Noble House of Brattleby is making a significant, lasting contribution to historical scholarship and public education. This access is the *sine qua non* of transparent historical inquiry and is offered as a gift to researchers, students, and family historians across the world.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "We see ourselves not as owners of this history, but as its dedicated custodians. Our ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a charge to not only preserve this remarkable legacy but, more importantly, to share it with the world."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: — "By digitising these archives, we are ensuring their survival for centuries to come. It is a new form of conquest—a victory for knowledge. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means embracing the future to protect and honour the past."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Brattleby Archives Initiative will be implemented in phases over the next five years, with new documents being added to the portal quarterly. The House plans to host a symposium in 2025, bringing together international scholars to present initial findings based on their research in the newly accessible collection. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is already involved with the project’s governance, ensuring that this commitment to heritage and education will remain a central pillar of the House’s mission for the generation to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active promotion of duty, culture, and philanthropy. Its mission is expressed through heritage conservation at its Lincolnshire seat; educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest; and strategic charitable support. The House’s premier philanthropic event is the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a gala that raises significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation. 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 of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its unbroken lineage is documented from its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two titans of the High Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of the 12th Baroness is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 notes the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com