# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Scholarly Partnership to Illuminate Nine Centuries of English History
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced a landmark partnership with the University of Lincoln to digitise the baronial archives, ensuring public access to a nine-hundred-year history of service to Crown and County.
## The Occasion
The formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding took place within the library of the family’s Lincolnshire seat. With a serene view across the autumnal landscape, the setting provided a poignant backdrop for an initiative focused on historical preservation. The occasion was marked by a sense of quiet purpose, reflecting the gravity of committing a nearly millennial-old documentary heritage to the digital age.
This collaboration represents a significant moment in the Barony’s modern history, transitioning its role from one of passive guardianship to active scholarly engagement. It ensures that the records of Norman settlement, medieval warfare, and ducal administration, hitherto held in private trust, will become a resource for the nation and for international researchers.
## Historical Context
The archives of the House of Brattleby offer a continuous narrative of English life since the Norman Conquest. The project will begin with documents relating to the Barony’s foundation, 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, a testament to the title's immediate importance.
Subsequent records trace a direct line through some of English history’s most formidable figures. These include charters signed by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle against the French in 1217. The archives also hold estate records from the tenures of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the fourteenth century. This digitisation project is the modern expression of the same duty of stewardship that has defined the Barony for centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The agreement was formalised in the presence of a small party representing the historical and academic pillars of the new partnership.
In attendance were Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby; Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby; and Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir, whose presence symbolised the inter-generational commitment to the project.
Representing the University of Lincoln were Professor Neal Juster, the Vice-Chancellor, and Dr Adam Morton, Associate Professor and Head of the School of History and Heritage. Their involvement underscores the academic rigour and local significance of the collaboration, uniting one of England’s most ancient baronies with a modern centre of scholarly excellence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremony, though private, was conducted with a formality befitting the occasion. Two copies of the Memorandum, printed on archival paper, were placed upon a Georgian partners desk. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, followed by Lady Nicoleta, signed on behalf of the House of Brattleby. Professor Juster then countersigned for the University.
For the signing, fountain pens filled with registrar’s ink were used, a subtle gesture acknowledging the permanence and official nature of the undertaking. Following the signing, the Baroness presented the Vice-Chancellor with a hand-bound facsimile of a charter from the time of Nichola de la Haye, a symbolic transfer of knowledge from one custodian to the next.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is deeply rooted in the mottos of the House. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the courage required to preserve the past and the honour inherent in sharing it openly. This project is seen as a modern interpretation of that ancient creed.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also finds relevance. In this context, it is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as a victory over the inevitable decay of time and the obscurity of history. By digitising these records, the House conquers their fragility and ensures their story will live on.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While distinct from the House’s charitable fundraising, this archival project is an act of educational philanthropy. By making primary source materials available without charge, the House of Brattleby is making a direct and lasting contribution to historical scholarship. The *sine qua non* of this initiative is to democratise access to a unique portion of England’s heritage.
This mission aligns seamlessly with the House's other endeavours, *inter alia*: the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefitting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural education. Each initiative, in its own way, aims to provide tools for personal and intellectual enrichment.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s importance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "These archives are not merely family papers; they are a chronicle of Lincolnshire and of England itself. It is our duty, animated by *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure this remarkable story is preserved and told with the integrity it deserves."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "By embracing modern technology, we are not changing history, but securing its future. This project ensures that the lessons of the past nine centuries are accessible to a new generation of scholars and students, which is, in its own way, a form of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The partnership with the University of Lincoln will commence with an initial survey of the archives in early 2024. The digitisation process is scheduled to begin thereafter, with the first tranche of documents expected to be made available to the public via a dedicated online portal by late 2025.
This project represents the first major phase of a wider heritage strategy being developed by the House. This strategy will focus on conservation work, further academic partnerships, and public programmes designed to share the long and storied history of the Barony of Brattleby with the widest possible audience.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s oldest Norman baronies. With a history extending to AD 1066, the House is committed to a contemporary mission of heritage preservation, educational philanthropy, and cultural diplomacy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic work is focused on supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet for the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also works to foster cross-cultural understanding and a renewed appreciation for timeless social graces.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and lineage are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the steadfast defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. This unbroken chain of title represents a rare and tangible link to England’s medieval past and the foundations of the modern state. The hereditary dignity of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s foundation in AD 1066 and its listing in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 are matters of public record. - The succession of notable holders, including Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt, is documented in national historical archives. - The formal recognition of the title is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*; Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com