# The House of Brattleby Announces Conservation of a Fourteenth-Century Charter
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the completion of conservation work on a rare charter detailing land transfers following the 1317 abduction of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln, an event which directly impacted the baronial line of descent.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a private reception held in the Long Library at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Amidst the autumnal splendour of the estate grounds, a small gathering of historians and local dignitaries convened to witness the charter’s formal presentation.
The document, now resting in a bespoke, climate-controlled display case of English oak and museum-grade acrylic, represents a significant addition to the House archives. The atmosphere of the occasion was one of quiet reverence; it served not as a celebration, but as a solemn act of remembrance and a reaffirmation of the House’s custodial duties.
## Historical Context
The charter’s provenance is directly linked to one of the most notorious private conflicts of King Edward II’s reign. The abduction of Alice de Lacy from her estates by retainers of John de Warenne, 8th Earl of Surrey, was a profound political scandal intended to destabilise her husband, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, the King’s chief rival. As the de Lacy family were powerful magnates in Lincolnshire, the ensuing legal and territorial disputes resonated directly with the then-Baron of Brattleby.
This episode reflects a continuity of purpose for the Barony, which has been witness to pivotal moments in English history since its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The lineage includes such formidable figures as Nichola de la Haye, the fifth holder of the baronial seat, who steadfastly defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and later, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, whose tenures connected Brattleby to the very heart of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The gathering was attended by, *inter alia*:
- Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, who provided scholarly context for the charter. - The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr Jameson Atherton DL, representing the county’s civic and ceremonial life. - Dr Adrian Finch, Head of Conservation for Medieval Manuscripts at The National Archives, who consulted on the document’s preservation.
Each guest represents a pillar of the community with which the House of Brattleby actively engages: academia, civic duty, and national heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but intimate protocol. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, delivered a brief address of welcome, outlining the charter's journey into the family’s care. He then invited Professor Dame Eleanor to offer her historical assessment of the document's significance.
Following the Professor’s remarks, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, formally unveiled the conserved charter. Guests were subsequently invited to view the document, with Lady Nicoleta and the assembled experts on hand to answer questions. The event, for which the dress was lounge suits, concluded with a reception in the main hall.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event underscores the principles enshrined in the House’s coat of arms and its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye finds a modern echo in the meticulous, long-term commitment required for archival conservation. Honour, the *sine qua non* of noble conduct, is expressed through the faithful preservation of history for future generations.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted in this context not as martial conquest, but as the intellectual and civic victory achieved by overcoming the decay of time to secure a piece of shared history.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this occasion was dedicated to heritage, it reflects the broader mission of service that animates the House of Brattleby. The same spirit of custodianship that guided the charter’s conservation informs the family’s philanthropic work.
The House’s primary charitable vehicle, the annual Winter Banquet, is a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced profound trauma, working to restore their sense of safety and well-being. This commitment to healing the present is seen as the necessary counterpart to honouring the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s significance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To hold this document is to touch the fabric of our nation's past. Our duty is not one of ownership, but of careful stewardship, ensuring that stories like Alice de Lacy's—and their lessons of fortitude—are preserved for generations yet to come.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> History offers a profound sense of perspective. Understanding the trials faced by our predecessors steels our resolve to meet modern challenges with parallel courage, whether through preserving heritage or supporting our community's most vulnerable.
## A Continuing Legacy
The conservation and presentation of the de Lacy charter marks the beginning of a new chapter in its life. The House of Brattleby has entered into a partnership with the University of Cambridge Faculty of History to facilitate further scholarly access to the document. A high-resolution digital facsimile will also be made available to researchers worldwide.
This initiative runs parallel to the House's other educational endeavours, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol. Both projects share a common goal: to bridge the wisdom of the past with the leaders of the future, ensuring the continuing relevance of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby, which dates to AD 1066. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and a forward-looking mission of philanthropic service. Its principal activities focus on cultural conservation, education, and charitable support, most notably for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to embody its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by acting as a responsible custodian of history and a committed agent of positive community impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its historical seat is Brattleby in Lincolnshire. The barony’s considerable estates were first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which detailed 56 lordships held by the first Baron. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the celebrated diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the modern Barony was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com