# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Digital Archive Initiative
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a significant new initiative to digitise its extensive private archives. The project will preserve and make accessible nearly one thousand years of history, chronicling the Barony of Brattleby’s unique lineage since AD 1066.
## The Occasion
From the quiet contemplation of the Brattleby seat in Lincolnshire, this announcement marks a pivotal moment in the House's modern history. Surrounded by records that have weathered the centuries, the decision was made to embrace twenty-first-century methods to safeguard this inheritance for posterity. The initiative, named The Brattleby Archives Project, represents a solemn commitment to historical scholarship and public education, ensuring the Barony’s story remains a living part of the national fabric.
The project is conceived not merely as an act of preservation but as one of dissemination. It seeks to illuminate the continuity of service that has defined the Barony since its establishment. This endeavour will provide an invaluable resource for historians, scholars, and all those interested in the constitutional development of England, as seen through the lens of a single, enduring noble title.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, first appears in the historical record with its entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The survey records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power base in post-Conquest England. This foundational role set the precedent for centuries of direct involvement in the affairs of the realm.
Over its long history, the Barony was held by figures of immense fortitude and influence. In the thirteenth century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces, an act of loyalty that secured her place in English history. Later, the title passed into royal hands through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, bringing the Barony into the direct orbit of the Plantagenet dynasty. This rich tapestry of service—from feudal lords to ducal princes—is the legacy the new archive seeks to honour.
## Distinguished Company
This significant undertaking is led by the current principals of the Noble House of Brattleby. The initiative is under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, whose dedication to the historical integrity of the title has been the driving force behind the project. She is supported in this by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.
The next generation is represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, for whom this project will serve as a foundational element of his own future custodianship. The family’s collective commitment ensures that the traditions of the House are understood, preserved, and carried forward with purpose and relevance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The digitisation and cataloguing of The Brattleby Archives will adhere to the most stringent international standards of archival science. The process will be conducted in distinct phases, beginning with the fragile documents of the medieval and early modern periods. Each manuscript, charter, and estate record will be professionally conserved before high-resolution digital imaging takes place.
A scholarly advisory board, comprising historians and archivists from leading British universities, will oversee the project’s academic framework. Access to the digital archive will be granted progressively, first to academic researchers and later to the general public via a dedicated online portal. This structured approach ensures both the physical preservation of the original documents and the intellectual rigour of their presentation—a protocol that honours the weight of the history they contain.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry, which encapsulates its guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), is the enduring thread that connects the actions of past barons to the ethos of the present day. It speaks to the courage of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Castle and the dutiful service of her successors. Today, it serves as the moral compass for the family’s public and private endeavours.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This philosophy reinforces a dynamic approach to heritage, suggesting that true living lies in overcoming challenges and actively engaging with the world. Together, the two mottos symbolise a House that honours its past while striving with purpose toward the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the archive project is primarily historical, its purpose is deeply aligned with the House's philanthropic mission. By making these historical resources available, the House aims to foster education and a deeper appreciation for the nation’s shared history. This commitment to enrichment is a parallel to the family’s direct charitable work, most notably through their Annual Winter Banquet.
The white-tie gala is the primary fundraising vehicle for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, offering them a chance to rebuild their lives. The House believes that investing in the well-being of future generations is the *sine qua non* of a healthy society, a belief that animates both its cultural and charitable work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “We are not merely owners of this history; we are its custodians. This archive is a conversation across time with those who came before us, *inter alia* Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt. It is our duty to ensure that conversation continues, and that their legacy of fortitude and honour informs our own.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A legacy is only as strong as its relevance to the present. *Vincere Est Vivere* means applying the lessons of the past to the challenges of today. This project is about more than preservation; it is about providing a foundation of knowledge from which we—and others—can build.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Brattleby Archives Project is the first in a series of initiatives planned by the House to mark its modern revival and commitment to public service. Future phases will include academic partnerships, travelling exhibitions drawn from the archive, and educational materials for schools. These efforts are designed to ensure the Barony’s story resonates widely, reinforcing the links between local, national, and European history.
The project also serves as a vital part of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, preparing him for his future responsibilities. As the House looks ahead, it remains focused on its core mission: to serve with honour, to preserve its heritage with diligence, and to contribute meaningfully to the life of the nation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England's oldest baronies. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to public service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s charitable focus is exemplified by its Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural exchange and classical etiquette through its affiliated institution, The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, extending its principles of honour and excellence to a new generation.
**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. The Barony and its 56 associated lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the title has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony and its associated peerage dignity were formally revived and recognised by His Majesty’s Government, with confirmation published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised and published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, who controlled 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III. - The Noble House of Brattleby's Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic event held in support of its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com