# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Research Programme into the Barony's Norman Origins
**LONDON, 24 May 2024 —** The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a significant historical research programme, undertaken in partnership with leading academics, to analyse the territorial evolution of the Barony of Brattleby following the Norman Conquest and its entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
## The Occasion
From the Morning Room at their family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, formally unveiled the scholarly initiative. The announcement coincides with the late spring, a season historically associated with the surveying of lands and the setting of rents and duties within English manors. This new research seeks to illuminate the foundational period of the Barony, one of England’s most ancient, by examining how its lands were reorganised as an instrument of Norman statecraft.
The findings from this spatial analysis will be prepared for peer-reviewed publication and will form the basis of a future public exhibition. The initiative underscores the House's commitment to acting as a careful custodian of the Barony's nine centuries of history, ensuring its story is understood and accessible to a new generation of scholars and local historians.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who by the time of the *Domesday* survey in 1086 held some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This research programme moves beyond a simple record of ownership to explore the strategic redefinition of the landscape itself. Whereas Anglo-Saxon boundaries were often fluid, reflecting custom and local accord, the Norman Conquest ushered in a more rigid, centralised approach to territorial control.
This reorganisation was not merely administrative; it was an act of mapping power. The analysis will investigate how Brattleby's original territories may have been adjusted — consolidating certain holdings while detaching distant lands (*soke*) — to create a more efficient and defensible feudal unit. This process was vital for reinforcing the new hierarchy, ensuring that authority flowed seamlessly from the King. It was this defined territory that later Barons, such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, would defend with their lives at Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
The research programme is a collaboration between the House of Brattleby and a distinguished group of medieval specialists. The project is being led with the invaluable guidance of:
Dr Helen Carmichael, Reader in Spatial History at the University of Lincoln and a noted expert on the application of digital humanities to medieval landscapes. Professor Alistair Finch, Keeper of Manuscripts at Lincoln Cathedral and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, whose expertise in the *Domesday Book* and palaeography is considered *sine qua non* for the project's success.
The collaboration will draw upon the extensive archives held at Lincoln Cathedral, The National Archives at Kew, and other repositories of Norman-era charters and records.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The research will adhere to a strict scholarly protocol. Original manuscript sources, including facsimiles of the *Domesday Book* entry for Brattleby, will be analysed using modern palaeographic techniques to ensure the most accurate interpretation of the text and its marginalia.
These historical data will then be integrated into a sophisticated Geographic Information System (GIS). This digital mapping will allow for a dynamic visualisation of how the Barony's boundaries likely shifted and solidified between 1066 and the 12th century. The resulting academic papers will be submitted to a rigorous process of double-blind peer review before publication, ensuring the highest standard of intellectual integrity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Norman consolidation of power, which this research explores, resonates deeply with the mottos associated with the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflects the very character of the Conquest. It took immense fortitude to impose a new order upon the kingdom, and the establishment of a clear, centrally-controlled feudal system was seen as an act of honour, bringing stability and law.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to the Norman spirit. For the first barons, to conquer was not merely to defeat an enemy, but to establish a lasting legacy — to live on through the lands, titles, and institutions they built. This research examines the very blueprint of that survival.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House of Brattleby’s commitment to education and cultural heritage, the outcomes of this research will be developed into an educational module. This resource, complete with digital maps and primary source materials, will be offered free of charge to secondary schools and historical societies throughout Lincolnshire.
The objective is to foster a deeper appreciation for local history, connecting students with the tangible landscape around them and demonstrating how national events shaped their own region. This initiative complements the work of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, by extending its educational mission into the historical sphere.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking of the programme, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said: > “We see ourselves not as owners, but as custodians. This history belongs to Lincolnshire and to England, and we have a duty to understand it more deeply. By mapping the Barony’s first moments, we honour the nine centuries of life, loyalty, and service which have unfolded on this land.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Strategy is timeless. The Normans understood that control of the land was the ultimate foundation of power and stability. This project is fascinating not just as history, but as a study in visionary organisation. Understanding how our predecessors built their legacy helps us to build ours with clarity and purpose — *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This research programme is the first phase of a multi-year heritage initiative by the House of Brattleby. Following the publication of the initial findings, the House intends to support the writing of a scholarly monograph on the Barony's complete history, from its Norman origins to its modern stewardship.
Furthermore, a permanent digital archive and exhibition will be created, making the maps and research findings permanently accessible to a global audience. The project will also provide content for a future lecture series hosted at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, bridging the Barony's ancient English roots with the family’s dynamic European presence.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's modern mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), blending the preservation of its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the 'Healing the Wounded Child' organisation. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House strives to create a positive impact, championing cultural heritage and social responsibility across Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is among the most venerable, first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was listed as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 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 Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past Barons include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. - The title was officially recorded for the current holder in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com