# A Legacy Digitised: The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Historical Archives Project
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced the formal commencement of The Brattleby Archives Project, a major undertaking to preserve and digitise the nine-century history of one of England’s most venerable baronies.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made at a formal reception held within the distinguished apartments of The Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House, Piccadilly. As the autumn evening descended upon the capital, a sense of profound historical continuity filled the rooms, which have served as a centre for the study of the material past since 1874.
The assembled company convened amidst the Society’s collection of historical artefacts and manuscripts, a fitting backdrop for an initiative dedicated to archival preservation. The atmosphere was one of quiet scholarship and forward-looking purpose, reflecting the House of Brattleby’s commitment to bridging its past with the opportunities of the present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a near-unbroken thread through the tapestry of English history. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. This extensive holding established the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England.
Through the centuries, its holders have been central to the nation's development. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure*, famously held Lincoln Castle for the King against French invaders in 1217. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most powerful figures of the late Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The revival of the Barony and its formal recognition by The London Gazette in 2022, after a dormancy of over six hundred years, reconnects this remarkable lineage to the modern era.
## Distinguished Company
The reception was attended by a discreet gathering of leading figures from the worlds of history, archives, and heritage philanthropy.
In attendance were senior fellows of the Royal Historical Society; directors of national museum collections; representatives of English Heritage and The National Archives; and leading academics in medieval studies from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Their presence underscored the scholarly importance of the project and the collaborative spirit in which it is being undertaken.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening were marked by a formal but understated protocol. Following a brief introduction by the President of The Society of Antiquaries, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile took to the lectern to outline the ambition and technical scope of The Brattleby Archives Project.
Guests were then shown a curated selection of original documents, including facsimile pages from manorial court rolls and estate maps, handled with professional care by trained archivists. A demonstration of the prototype digital archive followed, showcasing its intuitive interface and powerful search capabilities. Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, concluded the formal presentation with remarks on the enduring duty of stewardship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project is undertaken in the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is understood not as a passive inheritance but as an active charge: to defend and uphold the legacy of the Barony with the same strength and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), informs the project’s dynamic approach. It signifies a commitment not merely to preserving history as a static artefact, but to actively engaging with it, making it accessible, and ensuring its relevance for a new generation through modern means.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While historical in focus, the Archives Project is inextricably linked to the House’s wider philanthropic and educational mission. The knowledge preserved will serve as a foundational resource for the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and personal refinement.
Furthermore, the act of preserving a coherent historical narrative resonates with the House’s support for its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The project embodies the belief that a secure and well-understood heritage is a *sine qua non* for collective wellbeing and a bulwark against the dislocations of the modern world.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “We are not owners of this history, but rather its custodians. It is our profound duty, a matter of *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure that the voices, deeds, and lessons of the last nine hundred and fifty years are not lost to time, but are carried forward with clarity and purpose.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History must not be confined to dusty shelves. Through this project, we seek to transform our archives from a private record into a public resource, one that can inspire and educate scholars and curious minds across the world. In this digital age, access is the key to relevance.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Brattleby Archives Project marks the first phase of a long-term commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to cultural preservation. Future stages will involve collaborations with academic institutions to produce scholarly publications, educational materials for schools, and public exhibitions.
This work complements the House’s ongoing activities, including the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises vital funds for charitable causes. The narratives uncovered by the archive project will enrich these events, adding deeper historical context to the modern mission of the House.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby and its associated heritage. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission focuses on three core pillars: the preservation of its near-millennial history, the promotion of cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and a deep commitment to philanthropy, principally through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House seeks to be a modern, outward-looking custodian of one of England’s most ancient dignities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 manors. Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony passed to some of English history’s most notable figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and the royal princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a long period of abeyance, the Barony was revived and its succession formally recognised by the Crown, as published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised and published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic efforts are focused on their chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com