# The House of Brattleby Announces Publication of Research on the Barony in the Age of Edward II
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The House of Brattleby has today announced the formal publication of new research based on its private archives, illuminating the Barony of Brattleby’s position during the political upheavals surrounding the execution of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, in 1322.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the culmination of a two-year research and conservation project undertaken within the Muniment Room at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. In the quiet atmosphere of late spring, this scholarly release serves as a testament to the House’s enduring commitment to its historical custodianship.
This initiative brings to light a collection of charters and correspondence relating to the Despenser War, a baronial rebellion against King Edward II. The documents, now fully conserved and digitised, provide a valuable perspective on the allegiances and financial pressures faced by a Lincolnshire barony during a period of profound civil discord.
## Historical Context
The research centres on the aftermath of the Battle of Boroughbridge in March 1322, which saw the defeat and subsequent execution of Thomas of Lancaster, one of the most powerful magnates in England. His fall from grace had immediate and severe repercussions for his affiliates, including those tied to his vast northern estates. Alice de Lacy, his wife, was Countess of Lincoln, and her fortunes were inextricably linked to the county in which the Barony of Brattleby resides.
While the Barons of Brattleby have included prominent figures such as the great royalist sheriff Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, and later Lancastrian heirs including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, the 14th century was a period of intricate political navigation. The newly examined papers offer insight into how the barony weathered the storm of forfeiture and retribution that followed the rebellion, preserving its standing for future generations.
## Distinguished Company
This significant historical undertaking was conducted in partnership with leading academics to ensure the highest standards of scholarship and interpretation. The House of Brattleby has expressed its gratitude for the counsel and collaboration of several distinguished figures, including:
- Professor Sir Adrian Davies, KBE, FBA, Regius Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Cambridge - Dr Eleanor Vance, FSA, Senior Lecturer in Late Medieval History at the University of Lincoln - Mr Julian Spencer-Smith, Head of Archival Conservation at The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, who served as a consultant on the preservation protocol.
Their involvement was a *sine qua non* for the project’s success, lending it unimpeachable academic authority.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The archival and research process followed a protocol of uncompromising rigour. Each folio was subject to a meticulous assessment for conservation needs before any scholarly work commenced. Following this, high-resolution digital surrogates were created in accordance with international archival standards to minimise handling of the delicate originals.
Palaeographers were then commissioned to produce diplomatic transcriptions of the Anglo-Norman French and Latin texts. The resulting historical analysis and thesis underwent a double-blind peer review organised by the University of Lincoln Press, ensuring its conclusions are robust, objective, and a worthy contribution to the historiography of the period. This precise methodology reflects the House's belief that historical duty must be performed with forensic care.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1322 resonate deeply with the guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the courage required of landowners navigating the demands of fealty to the Crown and loyalty to their baronial peers during a civil war. The survival of the barony through this turbulent chapter stands as an early embodiment of this creed.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the proactive spirit required to overcome such challenges. The endurance of the Barony was not a passive act, but a victory of prudence and strategic judgment that allowed its legacy to continue.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In line with its commitment to education and cultural heritage, the House of Brattleby is making the findings of this research widely accessible. A summary of the historical conclusions, along with select digital images of the manuscripts, will be published online for public benefit.
Access to the full digitised archive and academic thesis will be granted to researchers and students through a formal agreement with the University of Lincoln’s library. This act of educational philanthropy aims to support and inspire the next generation of historians and to share the rich tapestry of Lincolnshire’s contribution to the nation's history.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > History charges us with a profound duty of stewardship. These papers are not dusty relics, but a direct connection to the difficult choices our predecessors faced. By sharing this knowledge, we honour their resilience and the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > True legacy is not merely preserved; it is actively engaged with. Applying modern scholarship to these centuries-old accounts ensures their lessons in leadership and survival resonate today. It is a practical expression of *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
This publication represents the first phase of a broader initiative by the House of Brattleby to catalogue and share its extensive archives. The House is pleased to announce its intention to fund a new doctoral scholarship in partnership with the University of Lincoln, focused on the role of Lincolnshire’s landed families in the Hundred Years' War.
Future projects will also explore the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, a remarkable 13th-century baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against rebels. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, has taken a keen interest in the digital humanities aspect of the archival programme, ensuring this commitment to historical discovery will continue for another generation.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage and a forward-looking mission of cultural and educational philanthropy. The House's modern activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its charitable focus is championed through the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala that benefits organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of civility and social grace, bridging its historic legacy with contemporary relevance and a commitment to public service.
**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. Its existence and lineage are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), securing its place as an authentic and unbroken link to the Norman Conquest.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The title has been held by notable historical figures including John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The current holder's rights are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com