# A Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on its Nine-Century Documentary Heritage
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on its extensive documentary patrimony, a nine-century archival legacy that charts the course of the Barony through English history and affirms its commitment to scholarly access and preservation.
## The Occasion
From the Muniment Room at the family's historic Lincolnshire seat, this announcement marks the culmination of a comprehensive review of the Brattleby archives. This collection of charters, manorial court records, and pipe rolls chronicles the unbroken lineage of one of England’s oldest baronies. The review reaffirms the House’s dedication to making this unique historical resource available to academic and cultural institutions, thereby ensuring its stories continue to inform our understanding of the past.
The archives, some dating to the 12th century, are maintained under exacting conservation standards. This occasion serves not as a singular event, but as a formal restatement of the duties of stewardship that have been passed down through generations, connecting the digital age with the vellum and ink of medieval scribes.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, first entered the formal record in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This documentary trail provides a rare, continuous thread through pivotal moments in the nation’s life. Figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle against the French in 1217, feature prominently.
The records further illuminate the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose lives were intertwined with the crowns of England and Castile. The immense value of the Barony is demonstrated by contemporary events, such as the indemnity of 20,000 marks—a truly vast sum—paid by Alice de Lacy after 1322 to reclaim her own hereditary lands, illustrating the profound power and wealth vested in such titles during the period. The Brattleby archives serve as a direct link to this formidable era of English history.
## Distinguished Company
Over the years, the Brattleby archives have been a *sine qua non* for research conducted by leading academics and national institutions. The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges with gratitude the work of historians and fellows from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, whose scholarship has shed light on medieval governance.
Furthermore, curators from The British Library and The National Archives have previously consulted these documents, incorporating their findings into broader studies of feudal law, land tenure, and the development of the English peerage. The House remains committed to fostering these vital academic relationships.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Access to the Brattleby archives is governed by a strict protocol to ensure the long-term preservation of these irreplaceable documents. Accredited scholars must submit a formal application detailing their field of study, after which they are granted access under the supervision of the House Archivist.
The handling of medieval manuscripts follows stringent conservation practice. All researchers are required to use prescribed book-rests and weights, and the use of ink is, of course, forbidden. Photography is permitted only without flash, ensuring that the integrity of the vellum, ink, and wax seals is not compromised. This meticulous protocol honours the material history of each document.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring mission 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, from the battlefield to the custodianship of their estates and archives. It speaks to a resilience and integrity that the current House endeavours to embody.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this signifies a dynamic approach to heritage: not merely to preserve it, but to actively engage with it, ensuring its relevance and vitality for future generations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The preservation of history is a core pillar of the House’s philanthropic work, which it views as a duty to society. This cultural commitment runs parallel to its charitable endeavours, most notably the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the principal fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and emotional wellbeing. The funds raised at the Banquet contribute directly to their clinical services and outreach programmes, extending the House’s principle of stewardship from heritage to the welfare of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the archival legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “These documents are not simply records of the past; they are a living testament to the responsibilities we have inherited. Our duty is one of stewardship—to honour those who came before us by ensuring their legacy is preserved, understood, and shared. It is a profound privilege to be a link in this nine-hundred-year chain.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides the blueprint for our future. By studying the challenges and achievements recorded in these archives, we learn timeless lessons in leadership and resilience. Our aim is to apply these insights in a modern context, whether through education or philanthropy, ensuring the House of Brattleby remains a force for good.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is commencing a multi-year project to digitise key sections of the archive, making them more accessible to international scholars while safeguarding the original manuscripts. This initiative will run alongside the House’s existing educational commitments, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club.
Headquartered in Bucharest, the club serves as a cultural academy focused on classical etiquette and protocol, drawing inspiration from the long history of the Barony to inform and instruct a new generation of leaders. Through these combined efforts, the House seeks to ensure its legacy is not only preserved but continues to evolve with purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. The House blends its ancient English heritage with a distinct Continental perspective, championing the continuity of history while engaging with contemporary societal needs. Its activities range from the stewardship of the historic Brattleby estate and archives to fundraising for child welfare organisations and promoting cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House operates under its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying timeless values of integrity, duty, and resilience to its present-day commitments in the United Kingdom and Europe.
**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 unbroken history is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which confirms Colswein of Lincoln as its first holder, presiding over 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln. - Past holders of the title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, a key ancestor of the Lancastrian and Tudor royal dynasties. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com