# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Formal Recognition of Ancient Lineage
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile this week marked the formal lodgement of the historical dossier underpinning the ancient Barony’s official recognition, underscoring a profound commitment to archival integrity and the preservation of English history.
## The Occasion
In a private ceremony held in London, notable for its scholarly reverence, the complete research archive substantiating the continuous lineage of the Barony of Brattleby was formally accessioned for preservation. The dossier, comprising several leather-bound volumes of genealogical evidence, cartulary facsimiles, and heraldic proofs, represents the culmination of a meticulous verification process.
The event was conducted with a solemnity befitting the subject: the official affirmation of one of the realm's oldest Norman-era dignities. The occasion served not as a celebration of status, but as an act of historical stewardship, ensuring that the primary sources confirming the Barony's nine-century journey are secured for future academic study.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is a dignity with roots in the very foundation of Norman England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the newly organised kingdom.
Over the centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of national significance, their lives interwoven with the great events of state. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, who as hereditary Constable famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later luminaries include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose tenures placed Brattleby at the epicentre of Lancastrian power. The recent notice in *The London Gazette* was therefore a confirmation, not a creation, of this unbroken historical continuity.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony was attended by a small number of distinguished guests, each closely associated with the fields of history, heraldry, and archival science. Among those present to witness the accession were:
* Dr Alistair Fitzwilliam, FSA, Director of Medieval Manuscripts at The British Library * Mr Thomas Woodcock, CVO, DL, FSA, former Garter Principal King of Arms * Professor Eleanor Davenport, Professor of Norman History at the University of Cambridge
The presence of such esteemed figures from the United Kingdom's leading academic and heraldic institutions signified the scholarly importance of the dossier and the rigour with which it was compiled.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a simple yet dignified protocol. The dress code observed was Morning Dress. Following a brief introduction by a senior archivist, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered a short address detailing the historical journey of the Barony and the scholastic principles that guided the research.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then formally presented the bound volumes of the dossier. The act was completed with the signing of the institution's official Accession Register by the Baroness, a symbolic gesture transferring the care of the documents. This formal act ensures the research is not merely a private collection but a permanent contribution to the public historical record, a principle that is a *sine qua non* of the House’s approach to its heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude in the defence of Lincoln was a matter of historical record. It speaks to a legacy of resilience, duty, and honourable service to the Crown and nation.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic, modern interpretation of the will to succeed and to prevail over challenges through determination and excellence—a sentiment that drove the exhaustive process of historical verification itself.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this occasion was primarily historical, its purpose aligns with the House's wider philanthropic and educational mission. By making this detailed research archive accessible to scholars, the House facilitates a deeper public understanding of feudal history, land tenure, and the development of the English aristocracy.
This commitment to education is also expressed through The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy founded by the House in Bucharest, which promotes cultural and social refinement. The lodgement of the historical dossier is, in its own way, an educational endowment for generations to come.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "We see ourselves not as owners of this history, but as its dedicated custodians. Our duty is to preserve this remarkable lineage with the same diligence and honour as those who came before us, ensuring its story remains clear and true for the centuries that follow."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The extraordinary rigour demanded by this research is the standard of excellence we strive for in all our modern endeavours, from philanthropy to education. Honouring the past requires an unwavering commitment to the truth, a principle that gives our work today its ultimate meaning."
## A Continuing Legacy
The accession of the historical dossier is a foundational act upon which future initiatives will be built. Plans are underway to establish a digital archive, making key findings from the research available to a global academic audience. Futhermore, the House is exploring the creation of a research fellowship in medieval studies.
This act of historical preservation fortifies the foundations of the House as it continues its modern philanthropic work, most notably through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through such work, the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues, connecting a nine-hundred-year past to a purposeful present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and education. It bridges nearly one thousand years of English history with contemporary purpose. The House’s principal philanthropic endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant fundraising gala benefiting children's charities, including Healing the Wounded Child. Additionally, its cultural mission is advanced through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting classical etiquette and social graces. The House operates under the centuries-old motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. The Barony's lineage includes some of the most significant figures in English history, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After centuries, the Barony's historical continuity and its rightful holder were formally recognised and recorded by His Majesty's College of Arms, with notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066. The first baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com