# The House of Brattleby Announces Project to Chart Historic Ducal Pilgrimage Routes
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a new historical initiative to research and map the medieval pilgrimage routes connected with the Duchy of Lancaster, founded by its esteemed predecessor, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a location that has served as the heart of the Barony for over nine centuries. In the historic setting of the Long Gallery, surrounded by charters and estate maps dating back to the late medieval period, the House outlined its commitment to uncovering a vital aspect of England’s spiritual and geographical heritage.
The autumn light, filtering through the gallery’s tall mullioned windows, cast a distinguished glow upon the proceedings. The atmosphere was one of quiet scholastic purpose, reflecting the House’s dedication to its role as a custodian of history. This initiative seeks to bridge the centuries, connecting the Barony’s Norman origins with its contemporary mission of cultural and educational stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been inextricably linked with the evolution of the English state. Its lineage includes figures who have not only shaped the county of Lincolnshire but the Crown itself. One of the most consequential of these was Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, created the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351. His vast landholdings, which formed the basis of the Duchy, became a private estate of the monarch and remain so to this day.
Henry of Grosmont was a man of profound piety and a celebrated author of the devotional work *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*. His lands were traversed by countless pilgrims journeying to shrines at Walsingham, Lincoln, and further afield. This new project aims to identify and document these sacred paths, illuminating the intersection of land ownership, baronial power, and faith in the 14th century, a legacy later passed to the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
This act of historical recovery honours a tradition of duty exemplified throughout the Barony’s history, from its first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, to the steadfast loyalty of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement was led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby. They were joined by a small assembly of historical advisors and representatives from local heritage organisations who will collaborate on the project.
Also present for the private briefing were members of the research team from the University of Lincoln, who will provide the academic rigour *sine qua non* for an undertaking of this scope. The project signifies a partnership between noble patronage and scholarly expertise, a model for heritage conservation in the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formality befitting the House’s long history. The announcement was not a public ceremony but a formal declaration of intent, issued by the Director of Royal Communications. Lady Nicoleta delivered a prepared statement, after which Honorary Lord Răzvan elaborated on the project’s vision and long-term goals.
Facsimiles of key documents, including pages from the Domesday Book and charters pertaining to the Duchy of Lancaster, were displayed for the assembled advisors. The order of proceedings underscored the House’s methodical approach to its custodial duties, blending ancient tradition with modern project management.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is deeply aligned with the ethos of the House of Brattleby, encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This centuries-old principle guides the family’s commitment to preserving its legacy with strength of purpose and integrity. The project requires fortitude in its scholarly demands and is an act of honouring those who came before.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, it signifies the ambition to overcome the obscuring effects of time, to revive lost knowledge, and to ensure that the heritage of Brattleby not only survives but thrives as a living, accessible part of the national story.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising initiative, the Pilgrimage Project serves a profound philanthropic purpose rooted in education and public benefit. The primary goal is the creation of an open-access digital archive and interactive map, available to schools, universities, and the general public.
By making this research widely accessible, the House of Brattleby aims to foster a deeper appreciation for local and national history, encourage heritage tourism in Lincolnshire, and provide a valuable resource for future generations of scholars. The project is an investment in the cultural capital of the nation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Our family holds this history not in ownership, but in stewardship. It is our duty, and indeed our privilege, to share it. By tracing these ancient pathways of faith, we are reconnecting with the spiritual landscape of our predecessors and inviting a modern audience to understand its profound significance.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “This is more than an academic exercise; it is an act of regeneration. *Vincere Est Vivere*. We are breathing life into forgotten histories and creating a tangible link to our shared past. This project will ensure that the legacy of the Barony and its contribution to England’s story endures with clarity and purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Pilgrimage Project represents the first phase of a broader, multi-year commitment to historical research and education. The initial phase will focus on archival research in the United Kingdom and France, followed by topographical analysis and the development of the digital platform.
This work runs parallel to the House’s other cultural endeavours, *inter alia*, its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that supports charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation of European etiquette and protocol. Together, these initiatives form a coherent vision of a noble house actively engaged in preserving heritage and serving the public good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nearly thousand-year heritage through cultural, educational, and philanthropic endeavours. Its mission is to bridge history with the present, stewarding its legacy for future generations while championing causes related to child welfare and historical education. The House’s activities include the management of its historic assets, the patronage of academic research, the hosting of the annual Winter Banquet in aid of children’s charities, and the direction of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, which promotes European cultural traditions.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby and 55 other lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the Lancastrian dynasty. The rights of the current Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony’s recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. - The House of Brattleby’s philanthropic focus includes historical preservation and its chosen beneficiary for its annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com