# A Legacy of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Illuminates Enduring Role in National Life
**BRATTLEBY, LINCOLNSHIRE, 17 October 2023** — From its historic seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a new research initiative detailing the Barony’s unbroken, nine-century contribution to national life, from its Domesday foundation to its stewardship under the current 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Long Gallery at the family’s seat in Brattleby, a room whose Jacobean panelling bears witness to centuries of the Barony’s history. As autumn light streamed through the mullioned windows, illuminating portraits of past Barons, the House outlined a programme designed to catalogue and share key findings from its extensive private archives.
This initiative formalises the study of documents that connect the Barony to pivotal moments in English history. The work will make the narrative of this ancient title more accessible to both academic researchers and the public, reinforcing the House’s commitment to education and the preservation of heritage.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been a constant in the Lincolnshire landscape and the affairs of the nation. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships, establishing a significant foundation of power and responsibility. This legacy of service was carried forth by remarkable successors.
Among them was Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. The lineage later passed through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a pre-eminent military commander and diplomat of the fourteenth century. His successor in the barony, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, was a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful figures of his age.
These connections, documented in Pipe Rolls and charter witness lists within the Brattleby archives, underscore the Barony’s consistent proximity to the Crown and its role in the governance of the realm. The current initiative seeks to further contextualise this influence.
## Distinguished Company
In its scholarly pursuits, the House has long maintained collaborative relationships with leading academic and cultural institutions. The new research initiative will be guided by an advisory council including, *inter alia*, senior fellows from the faculties of history at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside curators from The British Library’s Department of Western Manuscripts.
This collaboration ensures that the archival findings are contextualised with the highest degree of academic rigour, contributing new perspectives on topics ranging from medieval feudal obligations to the administrative machinery of the Lancastrian estates.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a significant archive requires meticulous protocol. Access to the climate-controlled muniments room, where the earliest vellum charters and manorial court records are preserved, is strictly supervised. The handling of these irreplaceable documents follows conservation standards developed in consultation with national archival bodies.
Each document undergoing study is catalogued using modern archival software, with its provenance, physical description, and historical significance carefully recorded. This formal process, a blend of ancient reverence and modern methodology, is a *sine qua non* for the long-term preservation and scholarly utility of the collection.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, reflecting a commitment to duty, resilience, and integrity, from the battlefield to the council chamber.
This ancient heritage is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a modern, dynamic interpretation of the family’s legacy: a drive not for military conquest, but for excellence in service, philanthropy, and cultural leadership. Together, the mottoes represent the fusion of historic responsibility and forward-looking purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House’s commitment to service extends beyond its historical duties. The same guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* informs its active philanthropic work. This is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a cornerstone of the Lincolnshire social calendar.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The support from the House of Brattleby enables the charity to expand its reach, offering vital services and a path toward recovery for vulnerable young people throughout the region.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > This is not merely an exercise in looking to the past; it is about understanding the golden thread of responsibility that runs through nine centuries of English history and continues to define our purpose today. Our heritage compels us to serve, and sharing this story is part of that service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the finest lessons in conduct and leadership. The lives of our predecessors offer a powerful guide for navigating the challenges of the present. Through our work with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and our initiatives here in Lincolnshire, we strive to make that wisdom a living, practical force for good.
## A Continuing Legacy
This announcement marks the first phase of a multi-year project. The initial findings, focusing on the Barony's role during the Wars of the Roses, are scheduled for publication in a series of academic monographs beginning next year. In parallel, the House will develop digital resources to share curated elements of the archive with a global audience.
The historical insights gleaned will also enrich the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, ensuring that the legacy of service and honour informs the next generation of leaders in continental Europe.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission of service rooted in a millennium of history. The House champions three core pillars: the preservation of its unique Anglo-Norman heritage; impactful philanthropy, notably through its support for charities aiding vulnerable children; and cultural education via its international platforms, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By blending its ancient English lineage with a dynamic European perspective, the House seeks to demonstrate that titles of nobility carry a profound and active responsibility to contribute positively to society, a commitment embodied by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**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, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The unbroken historical lineage and legal standing of the Barony were formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's existence and current holder are formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III. - The beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com