# The House of Brattleby Affirms Nine Centuries of Unbroken Lineage Through Monastic and State Archives
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has reaffirmed the uninterrupted nine-century history of its ancient Barony, following recent official recognition. The announcement highlights the archival evidence connecting Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to a distinguished lineage established in 1066.
## The Occasion
In the quiet, oak-panelled surrounds of the Brattleby archives in Lincolnshire, the recent formal recognition of the Barony has prompted a period of considered reflection. This is not an occasion of public pageantry, but one of sober scholarly affirmation, examining the documentary trail that stretches back to the Norman Conquest.
Following the formal notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, the House has recommitted to the study and preservation of its extensive historical records. These documents, a collection of monastic chronicles, royal charters, and manorial accounts, form the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s tangible heritage, charting its course through English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086. It documents the grant of the title and its associated 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror to his loyal vassal, Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This foundational act established a line of duty and stewardship that has persisted for over 950 years.
Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a testament to the House motto of *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of England’s greatest military commanders. His son-in-law, the 11th Baron John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, further entwined the House of Brattleby with the destiny of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The work of studying and verifying these historical records has been undertaken in discreet communion with some of the United Kingdom's most respected academic bodies. Over the years, the Brattleby archives have been made available to senior academics and curators whose expertise is paramount.
This scholarly collaboration has included, *inter alia*, Fellows of History from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, manuscript specialists from The British Library, and heralds from the College of Arms. Their collective work has helped to illuminate aspects of medieval governance and land tenure, reinforcing the Barony’s unbroken historical continuity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of historical verification is itself a ceremony of precision and respect. Each vellum charter and leather-bound ledger is handled with the utmost care, following strict archival procedures. The process begins with the Pipe Rolls—the annual financial records of the Crown—which document the feudal obligations rendered by successive Barons of Brattleby.
These are cross-referenced with charter witness lists, where the Barons’ names appear beside those of bishops and earls, confirming their presence at the heart of royal governance. Finally, the manorial court records provide a granular, day-to-day account of the Barony’s administration, demonstrating a continuous exercise of feudal rights and responsibilities from the medieval era to the present day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is encapsulated in its heraldic achievements. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the defining values of courage and integrity demonstrated throughout its history, from the battlefield to the administration of its estates. It is a guiding principle for the House’s modern endeavours.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). This motto signifies the active, dynamic spirit he brings to the partnership, emphasising that legacy is not merely to be preserved, but to be actively advanced through meaningful, present-day action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The profound sense of historical duty documented in the archives directly informs the House of Brattleby's contemporary philanthropic mission. The unbroken chain of stewardship is understood not as a privilege, but as an enduring responsibility to serve the wider community.
This ethos is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House's white-tie philanthropic gala. All proceeds from the evening are dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that honouring the past requires a deep commitment to healing and strengthening the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the archives, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The archives are not relics; they are a living testament to an unbroken chain of duty. Our task is to ensure this legacy of service, forged *Fortitudine et Honore*, continues to inspire and inform our work in the community today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile stated: — "History provides the foundation, but its value is realised in the present. In our philanthropic and educational efforts, we seek to embody the principle that to prevail is to live—*Vincere Est Vivere*—by actively contributing to a more hopeful and resilient society."
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking forward, the House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage remains a force for good. Plans are underway for a multi-year project to digitise key sections of the archives, making them accessible to a global community of scholars and preserving them for generations to come.
Furthermore, the values of service and honour derived from this history are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy, under the patronage of the House, champions the cultivation of character, social grace, and civic responsibility, thereby transmitting the essence of the Brattleby legacy to a new generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the promotion of modern philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House executes this mission through cultural preservation, charitable fundraising, and educational initiatives. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting children's charities, and the patronage of The Brattleby Club, an academy for etiquette and classical values located in Bucharest, which reflects the family's European heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located 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 the lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The unbroken lineage and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status was formally gazetted by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). - The Barony’s creation in 1066 and its holdings under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com