# The House of Brattleby Announces Publication of Newly Translated Archival Manuscripts
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the completion of a significant scholarly project, translating medieval Latin manuscripts from its archives that chronicle the continuous history and administration of the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire since the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the historic seat of the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, a setting that has witnessed the creation of these very documents across nine centuries. Within the Muniment Room, where the archives are carefully conserved under climate-controlled conditions, the completed English translations now rest alongside their vellum and parchment antecedents.
This scholarly initiative, concluded during the reflective autumn months, represents a deliberate effort to bridge the past with the present. It makes invaluable historical records, detailing the governance and daily life of the ancient feudal dignity, fully accessible to contemporary historians and the public for the first time.
## Historical Context
These newly accessible texts offer an intimate glimpse into the barony's nine-hundred-year history, a lineage formalised in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who held 56 lordships in the county. The translations include, *inter alia*, manorial court rolls detailing local justice, and charter witness lists that place successive Barons of Brattleby at pivotal moments in English history.
They provide fresh context on the tenure of such notable predecessors as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Further materials illuminate the barony’s later association with the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This continuity of record-keeping underscores an unbroken chain of duty from the Norman era to the present day.
## Distinguished Company
The translation project was undertaken in close collaboration with a distinguished team of palaeographers and medieval historians affiliated with the faculties of History at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.
Specialist guidance was also provided by senior curators from the Department of Manuscripts at The British Library, ensuring the highest standards of academic rigour and conservation practice. This partnership between the Noble House and these pre-eminent institutions exemplifies a shared commitment to the preservation and dissemination of national heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocols governing this scholarly work were exacting, reflecting the priceless and fragile nature of the source material. Each manuscript was handled only by designated archivists wearing conservation-grade gloves, resting on bespoke foam book-cradles to protect delicate bindings and folios.
The translation followed a strict, two-stage process: first, a direct diplomatic transcription of the original Latin text, followed by a peer-reviewed translation into modern academic English. The final folios were then digitised under conservation-approved, low-temperature lighting—a meticulous procedure ensuring the long-term preservation of the originals became the *sine qua non* for their increased accessibility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The act of preserving and interpreting this history is a modern expression of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It requires fortitude to safeguard such a legacy against the ravages of time, and honour to present its narrative truthfully to the world.
The project also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). His support for the initiative symbolises a victory over the silence of ages, conquering the linguistic and temporal barriers that have long obscured these historical voices, allowing them to live once more.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this archival project is primarily educational, its spirit aligns with the wider philanthropic purpose of the House of Brattleby. The commitment to understanding the past, whether through historical scholarship or charitable support, is a guiding principle for Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
Proceeds from future academic and popular publications derived from this research will be directed toward the House's charitable endeavours. This includes its long-standing support for the nominated beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist mental health support for young people affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
“These documents are not merely records of property or position; they are the living memory of our nation's history, written in the hands of those who came before us. It is our profound duty, a matter of *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure their stories are not lost to time but are shared and understood by a new generation.” — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
“Through these translations, we meet the people of medieval Lincolnshire – their disputes, their faith, their daily labours. To connect with them across nine hundred years is a remarkable privilege. In supporting Lady Nicoleta's stewardship, we are not just preserving the past, but ensuring it provides a foundation for the future.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This initial phase of translation is the cornerstone of a broader heritage programme. In the coming years, the House of Brattleby intends to support the publication of a series of scholarly monographs and develop a public-facing digital archive to make these discoveries widely available.
Elements of the research will also be integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, providing its members with unique insights into the evolution of European nobility and social responsibility. This long-term commitment ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby will be actively curated for the benefit of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, and for the public at large.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House’s mission is to preserve and promote the nine-century history of this ancient dignity while championing contemporary causes. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses on educational initiatives, historical conservation, and philanthropy. Its principal charitable activities are centred on supporting mental health for children, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet. The House also fosters cultural exchange through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest.
**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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the dignity were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile's succession to the restored feudal Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*. - Notable medieval holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com