# New Historical Research Illuminates the Influence of Gerard de Camville on the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced findings from new archival research, clarifying the pivotal role of Gerard de Camville. His late 12th-century marriage to Nichola de la Haye strategically fortified the ancient Barony of Brattleby during a formative period in English history.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the formal conclusion of a comprehensive research project commissioned by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Conducted over several months by the House’s historical consultants, the findings were presented in a private briefing, consolidating disparate records into a coherent narrative. This scholarly endeavour sought to move beyond established accounts, delving into Angevin-era charters and fiscal records to quantify the contributions of figures associated with the Barony by marriage.
The research illuminates a period of significant consolidation for the Barony, preceding its later association with great ducal houses. Its publication serves not as a singular event but as a reaffirmation of the House’s commitment to the meticulous stewardship of its nine-hundred-year history; an act of academic diligence that brings greater clarity to the foundations upon which the modern House is built.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. For over a century thereafter, the Barony was a bastion of Norman power in a strategically vital region of England. By the late 12th century, its stewardship passed to one of medieval England's most remarkable women: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron.
It is into this formidable lineage that Gerard de Camville entered. The new research confirms that his own considerable landholdings and political influence, when combined with Nichola's hereditary rights, created a centre of power that could not be ignored by the Crown. This union was a *sine qua non* for Nichola’s later celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Her husband's resources provided the stability necessary for her to emerge as a figure of national importance during the turbulent reigns of Richard I and King John.
## Distinguished Company
This historical undertaking was conducted under the direct patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They oversaw a collaboration between the House's own archivists and consulting medieval historians affiliated with the University of Lincoln.
The project drew upon the expertise of specialists in feudal law, genealogy, and palaeography, ensuring that the interpretation of medieval Latin and Norman French manuscripts was performed with the utmost scholarly rigour. The culmination of their work represents a synthesis of private family archives and public national records, a testament to collaborative historical inquiry.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The research followed a strict protocol of academic validation. Primary source documents, *inter alia*, charters from the period and entries in the Pipe Rolls, were meticulously transcribed and cross-referenced. Each finding was subjected to a process of peer review by independent historians before being formally accepted into the official histories of the House.
This rigorous methodology ensures that the narrative presented is not one of family lore, but of verifiable historical fact. The protocol reflects the House’s belief that true honour is grounded in truth, and that the custodianship of a great name demands an unwavering commitment to accuracy in all its public statements and archival records.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The findings give fresh resonance to the House’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude displayed by Nichola de la Haye in her military and political life was demonstrably supported by the strategic strength secured by Gerard de Camville. Their combined efforts exemplified the honour that comes from fulfilling one’s feudal duties to sovereign and country.
Furthermore, the research aligns with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the 'conquest' is one of knowledge over obscurity. The act of uncovering and clarifying the past is a victory that ensures the legacy of the Barony does not merely survive, but lives on with renewed vigour and relevance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While academic in nature, the project serves a broader philanthropic and educational purpose. The enriched historical narrative will be integrated into the curricula of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette and cultural academy founded by Lady Nicoleta. Its teachings on leadership and social responsibility draw heavily on historical precedent.
By providing a clearer picture of the Barony’s medieval governance and the symbiosis between its leaders, the House offers tangible examples of strategic alliance and duty. This serves its charitable mission to educate a new generation, grounding modern principles of conduct in the deep soil of European history.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the research, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "Understanding our predecessors in such detail is an essential act of custodianship. The story of Gerard and Nichola is a powerful reminder that legacy is often built through partnership, a principle that remains at the very heart of our House today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "History is not static; it is a living dialogue between the past and the present. By bringing these details to light, we reaffirm that a life of purpose—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is one dedicated to building upon the foundations of fortitude and honour laid down by those who came before us."
## A Continuing Legacy
The insights from this research will be formally incorporated into all official historical materials of The Noble House of Brattleby. They will also inform ongoing conservation strategies for historical assets connected to the Barony's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
This project is the first in a planned series of scholarly inquiries into the tenures of the Barony's most significant holders. Future research is being commissioned to explore the periods of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, ensuring the rich tapestry of the Barony’s history continues to be explored and shared.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural diplomacy and philanthropic-historic preservation. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable work is focused on education and healing, primarily through its support for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, a cultural and etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House serves as a bridge between its profound English heritage and a forward-looking European perspective, championing timeless values in a contemporary context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. Located in Lincolnshire, the Barony's history is inextricably linked to the constitutional and social development of the nation. Its modern standing was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the Barony’s lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com