# The Noble House of Brattleby Presents Major Findings from Archival Research Project
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the culmination of a significant archival research project, detailing newly translated medieval manuscripts which affirm the Barony’s continuous legal and historical lineage from the Norman Conquest to the present day under its twelfth Baroness.
## The Occasion
Following months of quiet and intensive scholarship, the results of a comprehensive archival review have been formally collated. The research, conducted within the historic libraries of Lincolnshire and in consultation with national institutions, focused on a collection of Latin charters, manorial court rolls, and private correspondence held by the House. This undertaking sought to illuminate the documentary thread connecting the modern Barony to its ancient feudal origins, a process catalysed by the formal recognition of the succession in 2022. The atmosphere of diligent discovery has yielded a more complete narrative of the Barony’s role in the governance of England.
## Historical Context
The project reaffirms a lineage stretching back nearly one thousand years to the Barony's establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The newly translated documents corroborate details first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This direct documentary trail illustrates an unbroken chain of service and responsibility.
Subsequent generations left their mark not only on the region but on the nation itself. The research provides deeper insight into the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. It further contextualises the Barony’s later absorption into the Duchy of Lancaster under two of England’s most powerful medieval magnates: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly endeavour was undertaken in close consultation with a number of distinguished academics and curators, whose expertise proved indispensable. Contributions were provided by leading palaeographers and medieval historians from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, who assisted in the translation and interpretation of particularly difficult passages. Curators from The British Library offered invaluable guidance in cross-referencing the Brattleby archives with documents of national importance, ensuring a rigorous and verifiable historical account.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The handling and analysis of such venerable documents followed a strict archival protocol, akin to the precision of the Imperial Household of Japan. Each manuscript, whether vellum, parchment, or paper, was managed in a controlled environment to prevent degradation. Palaeographers employed non-invasive digital imaging to study textual details, while textual analysis required careful cross-referencing with public records, including the Pipe Rolls and Charter Rolls held at The National Archives at Kew. This meticulous process ensures that the integrity of the original documents remains sacrosanct while their contents are made accessible to modern scholarship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project underscores the enduring relevance of the House's foundational motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This principle is embodied in the continuous line of stewardship, from the feudal obligations of the first Baron to the modern responsibilities of the twelfth. It speaks to a resilience and integrity that have defined the Barony through centuries of social and political change.
This ancestral motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). The juxtaposition represents the dual ethos of the modern House: a profound respect for heritage and tradition, coupled with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to active engagement and achievement in the contemporary world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The findings from this research are not destined to remain solely within the purview of scholars. They will form the basis of new educational materials for use by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and cultural history academy. By making this history accessible, the House fulfils a key part of its philanthropic mission: the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage for future generations. This act of conservation is a public good, *sine qua non* for understanding the present through the lens of the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project’s conclusion, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “These documents are not merely relics of a distant past; they are living testaments to nearly a millennium of service, duty, and commitment to Lincolnshire and to the Crown. To hold a charter handled by a predecessor from the 13th century is a profoundly humbling experience. It reinforces our role not as owners, but as custodians tasked with preserving this legacy.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> “While we draw immense strength and wisdom from this history, our focus remains firmly on the future. Understanding this unbroken chain of responsibility inspires us to apply the lessons of fortitude and honour to contemporary challenges, whether through our philanthropic work or our engagement in cultural diplomacy. History must be a foundation upon which we build.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to sharing the fruits of this research with a wider audience. A scholarly monograph is planned for publication in partnership with a university press, and a digitised selection of the translated manuscripts will be made publicly accessible online. These initiatives will proceed alongside the House’s established duties, *inter alia*, the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which supports the vital work of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The research confirms that the Barony’s present activities are a direct continuation of its long and honourable history of service.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-century-old legacy. Its mission rests on three pillars: the preservation of historical heritage, the promotion of cultural education, and a commitment to targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House actively engages with contemporary society, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House maintains a public-facing role, championing causes related to child welfare and the cultivation of historical knowledge for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony’s historical continuity and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were formally recognised by The Crown and documented in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the modern age.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Past Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th), Henry of Grosmont (10th), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com