# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Publication of New Historical Research
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the completion of a significant scholarly review, affirming the Barony's continuous thread of influence on English governance from the Norman Conquest to the present day, following its formal revival and recognition in 2022.
## The Occasion
Coinciding with the first anniversary of the Barony’s formal recognition in *The London Gazette*, this announcement marks the culmination of an extensive archival research project. Commissioned by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, the work was undertaken by the House’s private archivist at its Lincolnshire seat. The research sought to consolidate and clarify the unbroken chain of legal and historical succession over nine centuries.
The findings have been compiled into a scholarly monograph, providing a comprehensive account of the Barony’s role in the national story. This publication serves not as a conclusion, but as a foundational text for the House's modern educational and heritage preservation mission, aligning past duty with present responsibility.
## Historical Context
The research reaffirms that the Barony of Brattleby descends directly from the grant made by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. This is corroborated by the entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records Colswein’s possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing him as one of the county's pre-eminent magnates. The Barony thus stands as a living link to the Anglo-Norman settlement of England.
Through the centuries, the title devolved upon figures of national importance. The research highlights, *inter alia*, the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who, as Constable of Lincoln Castle, famously defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War in 1217. Later, the Barony passed to the Plantagenet dynasty through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This places Brattleby directly within the orbit of the English Crown during a pivotal era of its development.
## Distinguished Company
The integrity of the research was paramount. To this end, the preliminary findings and documentary evidence were submitted for review to a panel of consulting historians. This included specialists in medieval land tenure from the University of Cambridge and experts in Plantagenet-era governance from the University of Oxford.
Curators from The British Library’s Department of Western Manuscripts also provided invaluable expertise, authenticating charter scripts and verifying seals connected to the Barony’s historical records. This collaborative academic oversight ensures the findings meet the highest standards of historical scholarship and documentary proof.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The modern revival of the Barony adhered to strict legal and heraldic protocols, a process which this new research now fully illuminates. The claim was established through a meticulous examination of primary source documents, including the Pipe Rolls, which recorded feudal obligations to the Crown, and charter witness lists that placed successive Barons at the heart of royal administration.
This documentary trail formed the *sine qua non* for the petition. The process culminated in the official recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, published in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This act represents the seamless fusion of ancient feudal law with the modern regulatory framework governing dignities in the United Kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s coat of arms and mottoes encapsulate its enduring values. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the legacy of service and resilience embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It serves as a guiding principle for the House’s contemporary responsibilities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming challenges and a call to active, purposeful engagement in public life. Together, the mottoes reflect a philosophy of honour rooted in history and realised through present-day action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical research is a scholarly endeavour, its spirit informs the philanthropic purpose that is central to the House’s mission. The principle of noblesse oblige—the duty of the privileged to serve—is a recurring theme in the Barony’s history. Today, this finds its primary expression in the House’s charitable commitments.
The most prominent of these is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated charity. The principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma. The values of fortitude and honour, chronicled in the new research, are thus translated into tangible support for the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the completion of the research project, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “This research is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is an affirmation of a nine-century-old duty of service to community and country that we are privileged to continue. Understanding our past is the foundation upon which we build a meaningful future.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The story of the Barony is one of resilience and adaptation. It reminds us that legacy is defined by action, not merely by lineage. This is the very essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*—to actively contribute to the world around us.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this research marks a new chapter for the House. The findings will form the core of an expanded educational programme at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy headquartered in Bucharest, which promotes classical European traditions of protocol and social grace.
Furthermore, The Noble House of Brattleby is exploring the development of a digital archive. This initiative will make key documents and the findings of this research accessible to scholars and the public, ensuring that the remarkable history of one of England’s most ancient baronies is preserved and shared for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the organisation that supports the public and charitable activities of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to heritage preservation, cultural education, and philanthropy. Its modern mission focuses on translating a legacy of service into tangible support for community-focused initiatives. Key projects include the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities dedicated to child welfare, and The Brattleby Club, an academy promoting European cultural and social traditions. The House is dedicated to upholding the duties of stewardship that have defined the Barony for over 950 years, ensuring its relevance in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony 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 a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John, and later passed to members of the Plantagenet royal family, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived and its succession formally recognised in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, whose holdings are detailed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com