# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Publication of Landmark Study on the Demesne's Agricultural Heritage
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the publication of a definitive historical monograph detailing the agricultural practices of the Brattleby demesne since its establishment, safeguarding this unique heritage for future generations of scholars and the people of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Great Library of the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose oak-panelled walls have borne silent witness to centuries of estate management. On a crisp autumn afternoon, with the colours of the harvest season framing the ancient parkland beyond the windows, the House formally presented the new study, *The Land Endures: Nine Centuries of Husbandry on the Brattleby Demesne*.
The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, bringing together a small, distinguished group to mark the culmination of a multi-year research project. The publication serves as a testament to the House's commitment to its role not merely as owner, but as custodian, of a landscape intrinsically woven into the fabric of English history.
## Historical Context
This comprehensive study illuminates an unbroken chain of land management stretching back to the Barony's grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The research examines the early feudal structures established by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
The monograph explores the evolution of the three-field system, the establishment of common grazing rights, and the sustainable management of demesne woodlands—practices that would have been overseen by notable predecessors. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who would have relied upon the demesne's agricultural output to victual her garrison during the defence of Lincoln Castle. The work further traces this lineage through figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the powerful 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance to mark the occasion were a number of individuals dedicated to the preservation of national and local heritage. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile and Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were joined by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
They were pleased to welcome, *inter alia*: - Professor Eleanor Vance, MA (Oxon), PhD (Cantab), Head of the School of History and Heritage at the University of Lincoln. - The Right Honourable The Earl of Yarborough, Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire. - Mr Julian Firth, FSA, Chairman of The Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology. - Mrs Beatrice Connolly, Chief Executive Officer of the heritage organisation, The Royal Oak Foundation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formality befitting the subject matter. Guests were received in the Entrance Hall before being escorted to the Great Library. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile offered a formal welcome, underscoring the deep connection between the land and the House's identity.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then delivered a concise address, outlining the project's academic significance before formally unveiling the first bound copy of the monograph. Each copy, bound in the House's navy and gold livery, was presented resting on a lectern draped in the Brattleby tartan. Following the presentation, Professor Vance offered a scholarly response, and a reception was held in the adjoining Picture Gallery.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is deeply rooted in the principles encapsulated by the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude reflects the resilience of the land and the generations who have worked it; the honour is found in the duty to preserve and share its history.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also finds resonance. Here, the 'conquest' is not one of territory, but of understanding—mastering the historical complexities of the estate to ensure its legacy thrives. The publication itself is a victory for preservation over the simple passage of time.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House's focus on charitable endeavour, all net proceeds from the sale of *The Land Endures* will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides vital therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience.
The decision to support this beneficiary reflects the House's belief that understanding one's roots and heritage provides a foundation for a stronger future—a principle that applies as much to an individual child as it does to a nine-hundred-year-old Barony. The annual Winter Banquet will continue to serve as the primary fundraising gala for this important cause.
## In Their Own Words
— "This land is not something we simply possess; it is a responsibility we inherit. This study is our covenant with the past and our gift to the future. It is an affirmation that to understand where you are going, you must first know, with honour, from where you have come." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
— "Resilience is written into the soil of Brattleby. For centuries, this estate has adapted and endured. Its story is one of innovation, hard work, and survival. To document that is to live up to the standard of those who came before us. It is, in its own way, a form of victory." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this monograph marks the beginning of a wider heritage initiative. In the coming year, the House of Brattleby will partner with the University of Lincoln to host a series of public lectures on the findings. Furthermore, a project is underway to digitise key sections of the Brattleby estate archives, making them accessible to researchers worldwide.
These efforts, alongside the curriculum development at The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, form part of a coherent strategy to ensure the House's historical legacy remains a dynamic and educational force in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House of Brattleby champions a modern mission rooted in its ancient heritage. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to philanthropic service, cultural preservation, and the promotion of timeless etiquette and protocol. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting children's charities, and the educational work of The Brattleby Club. The House operates with a vision to connect its nine-century history to contemporary challenges, serving as a bridge between past, present, and future. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated castle defender Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historical continuity and rights of the Noble House of Brattleby were formally acknowledged and recorded by The Crown's official journal, The London Gazette, on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s legal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 12th Baroness is Lady Nicoleta Vasile. Her husband is Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. - Notable historical Barons include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The principal charitable beneficiary of the House is the UK-registered charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com