# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Significant Findings from Newly Translated Medieval Manuscripts
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the completion of a major scholarly project: the translation of medieval Latin manuscripts from its private archives, revealing new details of the Barony’s continuous role in the governance of England since the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
The announcement follows several years of meticulous research undertaken within the historic library of the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Amidst the quiet turning of the seasons, a dedicated team of paleographers has worked to decipher fragile vellum charters and Pipe Rolls, some unseen by scholars for centuries. This scholarly endeavour represents the culmination of a core objective set by the 12th Baroness upon the Barony’s revival: to bridge the centuries of dormancy by illuminating its past for the benefit of the present. The project was pursued not with public fanfare, but with the academic rigour and discretion befitting a matter of significant historical import.
## Historical Context
These translations provide irrefutable evidence connecting the Barony to pivotal moments in the nation’s history, affirming a lineage stretching back over nine centuries. The papers detail land grants and feudal obligations first recorded under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, whose 56 lordships were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For the first time, a clearer narrative emerges of the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in 1217.
Further documents elucidate the Barony’s close ties to the Crown during the High Middle Ages, particularly its administration under the celebrated Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The translated accounts offer fresh insight into how these powerful magnates governed their Lincolnshire holdings, using Brattleby as a component of their vast influence. The research helps to explain the Barony’s long dormant period following John of Gaunt’s tenure, as its fate became entwined with that of the Duchy of Lancaster and, ultimately, the Crown itself.
## Distinguished Company
The academic work was conducted in close consultation with leading specialists in medieval history and diplomatics. Assisting in the verification and contextualisation of the findings were, *inter alia*, senior fellows from the University of Cambridge and manuscript curators from the British Library.
The project was personally overseen by the leadership of the House: - Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby - Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the Barony
Their direct involvement ensures the findings are harmonised with the House’s broader historical and educational mission.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The study of such ancient documents is governed by strict archival protocol, a ceremony of conservation in its own right. Each manuscript was handled according to national museum standards to prevent degradation. The translation process itself was a multi-stage affair involving digital imaging, transcription of the original Latin script, and rigorous, peer-reviewed translation to ensure absolute fidelity to the source material. This methodical approach is the *sine qua non* for producing historical scholarship of unimpeachable quality, transforming fragile artefacts into a robust and accessible narrative.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The contents of the manuscripts resonate powerfully with the heraldic mottos of the House. The accounts of Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln embody the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience and unwavering loyalty demonstrate the principles that have guided the Barony through periods of both turmoil and peace.
Similarly, the modern effort to recover and revitalise this history reflects the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the 'conquest' is one over obscurity and the passage of time, breathing new life into a legacy that had matured into legend. The scholarly work is a living expression of this principle.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with its commitment to education and cultural heritage, the Noble House of Brattleby will not hold these findings in private. The research will form the basis of new educational materials for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and classical education academy. Furthermore, the translated texts and their analysis will be prepared for academic publication, making them available to historians and students worldwide. This act of sharing knowledge is central to the House’s modern philanthropic identity, which includes its support of charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the discoveries, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "To read the words that document the duties of my predecessors is a deeply moving experience. It is not merely an academic exercise; it is a conversation across centuries. Our family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not an abstract ideal but a documented reality, and it is our profound responsibility to carry that standard forward."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: — "*Vincere Est Vivere*. We have worked to conquer the silence of six centuries, not for our own sake, but to give this extraordinary history a voice that can inspire a new generation. A legacy is only truly alive when it is shared and understood."
## A Continuing Legacy
The completion of this translation project marks not an end, but a new beginning. The Noble House of Brattleby is exploring plans for a public exhibition of facsimiles of the manuscripts, to be held in Lincolnshire, allowing the public to engage directly with their local and national heritage. The findings will also be integrated into the programming for the annual Winter Banquet, adding a new layer of historical depth to the philanthropic occasion. This work is a foundational stone upon which the modern, service-oriented mission of the House continues to be built.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony’s ancient heritage. Its contemporary mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to leverage its historic platform for public good. The House is actively engaged in cultural preservation, educational initiatives through its academy, The Brattleby Club, and dedicated philanthropy. Its charitable efforts are principally focused on supporting vulnerable children, with the annual Winter Banquet benefiting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. The House maintains its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, while pursuing its international educational and philanthropic work.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For centuries, its holders were intrinsically linked to the history of the realm, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After entering a period of dormancy lasting over 600 years, the Barony of Brattleby was revived in 2022. The rights of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony’s revival and the 12th Baroness’s rights were gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic gala with proceeds benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com