# The Noble House of Brattleby Launches Historical Dispatch Series, Illuminating Nine Centuries of Lineage
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of its inaugural Historical Dispatch, a scholarly series examining its nine-century heritage. This initiative follows the formal recognition of the Barony and serves to share its extensive archival research with the public.
## The Occasion
From the ancient family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has formally commenced a new chapter in its role as a custodian of history. The launch of the Historical Dispatch series marks a significant moment of cultural openness, transforming centuries of private records into a publicly accessible resource. This inaugural publication is the culmination of meticulous research that underpinned the modern re-affirmation of the Barony.
The timing, amidst the quiet serenity of an English autumn, is deliberate. It reflects a period of scholarly reflection and consolidation for the House. The dispatches are to be released digitally, ensuring the widest possible access for historians, academics, and members of the public interested in the deep continuity of English local and national history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, holds a unique and unbroken, though at times dormant, thread through the history of England. The first dispatch begins its survey with the barony’s origins, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attributes 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln.
This publication traces the lineage through pivotal figures whose actions shaped the realm. It recalls the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure* and a castellan who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. It further examines the tenure of later holders, including the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence defined the 14th century. The dispatch details the centuries of dormancy and the rigorous process leading to its modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
The archival research underpinning the Historical Dispatch series has been enriched by consultation with a distinguished company of scholars. Throughout the process of verification, historians and palaeographers from institutions including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and The British Library have engaged with the Brattleby archives.
Their collective expertise was instrumental in navigating complex medieval charters, Plantagenet-era pipe rolls, and manorial court records. This scholarly collaboration ensures the historical integrity of the dispatches and reaffirms the House of Brattleby’s commitment to academic rigour in the presentation of its heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The path to the formal recognition documented in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) is governed by a precise protocol of scholarly and legal verification. This modern ceremony of evidence is as structured as any ancient rite. It requires the painstaking assembly of a documentary portfolio, including certified archival records, genealogical charts, and expert attestations.
Each piece of evidence is subjected to intense scrutiny, a process akin to a trial of history itself. The submission to the Crown Office, which oversees The London Gazette, represents the final step in this protocol. Its publication is not merely an announcement but the official, public conclusion of a deeply formal and evidence-based procedure, re-affirming an ancient title within the framework of modern law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the House are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is reflected in the dual mission of preserving a venerable legacy through historical perseverance (*fortitudine*) and serving the community with integrity (*honore*). It speaks to the resilience required to maintain a connection across nearly a millennium of history.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This philosophy emphasises a dynamic and forward-looking approach to duty, interpreting life as an opportunity to overcome challenges and make a tangible, positive impact through determined action and purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In making its historical research and archival findings freely accessible to a global audience, the House extends its philanthropic mission into the educational sphere. This commitment to public knowledge complements its more direct charitable activities, which are a cornerstone of the family's modern identity and a practical expression of its motto.
The most prominent of these endeavours is the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant white-tie gala held in aid of a chosen beneficiary. For the coming year, the House is pleased to continue its support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the launch of the new publication series, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "This history does not belong to us alone; it is a thread in the fabric of Lincolnshire and, indeed, England. It is our duty, with fortitude and honour, to ensure this story is preserved and shared with integrity for the benefit of future generations."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the forward-looking vision for the House:
> "History provides the map, but it is in the present that we must navigate. For us, to live is to strive — *Vincere Est Vivere*. Whether supporting vital charities or fostering education, our goal is to build a legacy of positive and constructive action."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this inaugural dispatch is the first in a planned series that will explore various facets of the Barony’s history, from its economic role in the medieval wool trade to its architectural heritage. The House of Brattleby is committed to this educational programme as a core part of its contemporary mission.
This work runs parallel to its other initiatives, including the development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and cultural academy dedicated to fostering international understanding. Preparations are also underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s primary philanthropic event, which continues to be a highlight of the winter social calendar. These endeavours together secure a legacy that is both historically grounded and actively engaged with the present.
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**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 is dedicated to a modern mission of historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. The House actively manages its nine-century heritage, making its archives available to scholars and the public. Its philanthropic work is focused on supporting vulnerable children through its Annual Winter Banquet, while its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, aim to build cultural bridges. Following the formal recognition of the Barony, the House is committed to serving the community and upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through purposeful action in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient feudal title in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to notable figures who shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony's history and lineage were formally re-affirmed and recognised in an official notice published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com