# Brattleby Archives Yield New Insights into 14th-Century English Peerage
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released newly translated Latin manuscripts from its private archives, detailing the profound consequences of the 1322 execution of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, upon the Barony of Brattleby and the wider English political landscape.
## The Occasion
Emanating from the Muniment Room at the family's ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, this announcement marks the culmination of a multi-year scholarly initiative. Amidst the quietude of autumn, the House has chosen to share findings that cast new light on a period of intense political turmoil. This formal dissemination of research underscores a commitment not merely to preservation, but to the active interpretation of a heritage that has been interwoven with the history of England for nearly one thousand years. The release serves as the first in a planned series of scholarly dispatches, intended to make the extensive Brattleby archives more accessible to historians and the public alike.
## Historical Context
The execution of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, for treason following the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322 was a seismic event that led to the temporary forfeiture of his vast estates, including those tied to the Barony of Brattleby. The newly translated documents—drawn from contemporary Pipe Rolls and manorial court records—provide a granular account of this forfeiture and the subsequent administrative disruption within Lincolnshire. They detail how the Barony, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, withstood this grave challenge to its continuity.
This chapter of history is particularly resonant for the House of Brattleby, as the legacy of the Lancastrian inheritance was later restored and elevated through subsequent Barons. These include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The trials of 1322 therefore represent not an end, but a pivotal moment of crisis that tested the resilience later exemplified by these significant figures.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly undertaking has been significantly enriched by long-standing collaboration with leading academic and curatorial bodies. The translation and contextual analysis of the manuscripts involved consultation with specialists in medieval Latin and palaeography. The House of Brattleby gratefully acknowledges the invaluable advisory contributions from members of the history faculties at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, as well as manuscript curators at The British Library, whose expertise has helped to illuminate details of 14th-century governance and law.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The work of translating these documents adhered to a rigorous protocol synonymous with the careful handling of ancient artefacts. Each folio of vellum and parchment was examined under controlled conditions to ensure its preservation. The process began with high-resolution digital imaging, allowing scholars to work from faithful surrogates without repeatedly handling the fragile originals.
Specialists in medieval palaeography then undertook the painstaking task of transcription, deciphering the abbreviated court Latin and distinctive script of the period. This was followed by a meticulous translation, cross-referenced against other contemporary sources, such as the *Calendars of the Patent Rolls*, to ensure the highest degree of accuracy. This methodical approach is the *sine qua non* of responsible archival stewardship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1322 serve to powerfully illustrate the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The Barony’s ability to navigate the royal seizure of its lands and ultimately see its status restored demonstrates the fortitude required to endure political upheaval. The honour of the House, though challenged, remained intact, a principle that has guided successive generations of title holders.
This historical lesson finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). His interpretation frames 'conquest' not as a martial act, but as the proactive and vital work of overcoming obscurity; in this case, by bringing forgotten history to life and ensuring its lessons are not lost. The complementary nature of these two mottos—one ancient, one modern—distils the family's guiding philosophy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The dissemination of this research is a direct expression of the House's enduring educational mandate. While the annual Winter Banquet remains the centrepiece of its philanthropic efforts, benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, the House views the sharing of its unique historical assets as an equally important charitable contribution. This commitment to knowledge is a form of public service.
This work runs parallel to the mission of The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy founded by the family in Bucharest, which promotes cultural understanding and social refinement. Both initiatives—one historical, one contemporary—stem from a core belief in the power of education to enrich society and foster a deeper appreciation for an interconnected European heritage.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > These manuscripts are not merely records of land and lineage; they are the living voices of our predecessors navigating moments of profound crisis. It is our duty, as stewards of this legacy, to listen to those voices and share their stories of resilience. It is the same sense of duty that drove Nichola de la Haye to defend Lincoln Castle, and it is a charge we take just as seriously today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the essential grammar for understanding the present. By preserving and interpreting this heritage, we honour the past while equipping ourselves for the future. Our work with the archives is an affirmation that to live fully, one must actively engage with the foundations upon which our modern world is built. It is an act of cultural continuity.
## A Continuing Legacy
This dispatch represents the first public release from a wider programme of archival research. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing translation and analysis of its historical documents, with future publications planned to cover, *inter alia*, the Barony's role during the Wars of the Roses and the English Reformation.
In the coming years, the House plans to undertake a significant digitisation project to make these historical materials available to a global community of scholars. This initiative will ensure the preservation of the physical manuscripts for centuries to come, while fulfilling the House's mission to share its extraordinary history with the widest possible audience, always guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s flagship philanthropic event is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises vital funds for charitable beneficiaries, including Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote cultural exchange and education, connecting its deep English heritage to a contemporary, pan-European context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are formally recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. - Notable past Barons include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com