# House of Brattleby Announces New Translations of Foundational Manuscripts
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the completion of translations for key medieval Latin manuscripts from its archives, substantiating the uninterrupted lineage of the Barony. This scholarly work follows the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness in 2022.
## The Occasion
In a milestone for historical scholarship, the House of Brattleby has concluded a significant project to translate and interpret a collection of Latin charters, pipe rolls, and manorial records. This undertaking, conducted within the quiet environs of the House's private archives, illuminates the nine-century history of one of England’s most venerable baronies.
The painstaking work, undertaken in collaboration with leading academic institutions, brings to life the administrative and personal realities of the Barony’s medieval forebears. The translation of these documents from fragile parchment and vellum provides a direct, tangible link to the governance and societal duties upheld by generations of the family since the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The newly translated manuscripts affirm the Barony’s deep roots in the fabric of English history, a narrative which begins in 1086 with its notation in the *Domesday Book*. The entry records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a direct tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. The documents trace this continuity through figures of national importance.
These include charters countersigned by Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Further records detail the Barony’s administration under the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This archival evidence provides irrefutable proof of the line of succession, a historical thread now formally re-established.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly endeavour was made possible through close consultation with a distinguished group of specialists. A dedicated team of paleographers and historians guided the project, lending their expertise in medieval Latin and English administrative history.
The House of Brattleby further acknowledges the invaluable advisory role played by leading academics from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as well as by conservation and manuscript specialists from the British Library. Their collective guidance was the *sine qua non* for ensuring the integrity and academic rigour of the translation process.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Each manuscript was subjected to a rigorous scholarly protocol before and during translation. This began with a codicological assessment—an examination of the physical object, including the parchment, ink, and bindings—to confirm its period authenticity.
Following this, paleographic analysis was employed to transcribe the complex medieval script accurately. The final translation phase involved not just a literal rendering of the Latin, but a deep contextual interpretation of the feudal and legal terminology used. This multi-stage process ensures that the historical record is presented with the utmost accuracy and fidelity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The findings of this research resonate deeply with the House’s guiding principles, encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The records of service, duty, and resilience—from Colswein's feudal obligations to Nichola de la Haye's defence of the realm—are a living testament to this creed.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). In a modern context, this signifies the victory over time and obscurity, ensuring the Barony's legacy is revitalised and continues to thrive as a living part of England's heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this project is primarily historical, its purpose aligns with the House's broader educational and cultural philanthropy. By preserving and sharing its heritage, the House of Brattleby aims to foster a greater public understanding of the long arc of British history and governance.
This commitment to education and betterment is also demonstrated through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family, and the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the House’s principal philanthropic event, with proceeds benefiting the chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to supporting vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
"These documents are not merely historical records; they are a direct conversation with our predecessors. To read the charters witnessed by Nichola de la Haye or the accounts from John of Gaunt's tenure is to feel the profound weight and privilege of this continuity." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
"Our family motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*. Today, that victory is not found on a battlefield, but in reviving history, in ensuring this remarkable nine-century story is not only preserved but understood and shared with a new generation. This is how a legacy truly lives." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the translations now complete, the House of Brattleby is committed to making these findings accessible to both academic and public audiences. Plans are underway for the creation of a digital archive and the publication of a series of academic monographs in partnership with a university press.
This scholastic work will, *inter alia*, inform the cultural and educational programmes run by the House, including the curriculum of The Brattleby Club. It represents a foundational step in the renewed stewardship of the Barony, ensuring its history contributes to the enrichment of future generations.
---
**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 cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House actively works to safeguard its nine-century heritage while supporting contemporary causes. Its primary activities include overseeing the historical archives and seat in Lincolnshire, England; hosting the annual philanthropic Winter Banquet for its chosen charities, including Healing the Wounded Child; and promoting cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House's work is carried forward by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship 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 passed to some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally revived and its succession confirmed in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, as officially recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was formally confirmed in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), legendary defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. - The Barony was held by the House of Lancaster through Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com