# The Noble House of Brattleby Publishes New Research on the Reign of King Edward II
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published new historical research drawn from its private archives. The study examines the Despenser regime's influence upon the court of King Edward II and its significant, though indirect, repercussions for the Barony of Brattleby's lineage.
## The Occasion
In a significant contribution to Plantagenet-era scholarship, the House of Brattleby has released a scholarly monograph titled *Favour and Forfeiture: The Despensers and the Baronial Inheritance*. This publication marks the culmination of a three-year research project undertaken by the Keepers of the Brattleby Archives, making previously unexamined primary source documents available to the academic community and the public for the first time.
The release, timed to coincide with the autumn academic term, is not marked by a public ceremony but by direct engagement with leading historical institutions. Advance copies have been formally presented to the libraries of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, the College of Arms, and the Royal Historical Society, ensuring this new knowledge is integrated into the nation’s foremost intellectual repositories.
## Historical Context
The research illuminates one of the most fraught periods in English history. It details the avaricious rise of Hugh Despenser the Elder and his son, Hugh the Younger, who became the deeply unpopular favourites of King Edward II. Their aggressive accumulation of lands and titles systematically alienated the established baronage, creating the conditions for civil war.
This climate of corruption and reprisal directly ensnared Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, a cousin of the King. The monograph explores how the Despensers’ machinations contributed to Earl Thomas’s rebellion and subsequent execution in 1322. This event has a particular resonance for the Barony of Brattleby, as the Lancastrian inheritance, including its vast holdings, was later restored and passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, Earl Thomas’s nephew and heir. The study thus reframes a national crisis through the lens of a single, enduring noble lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The research for *Favour and Forfeiture* was conducted under the scholarly direction of the Keeper of the Brattleby Archives, Dr Eleanor Vance. The project benefited immeasurably from the advisory counsel of a distinguished panel of historians, including, *inter alia*:
* Professor Alistair Finch, FRS, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Lincoln and a noted authority on the Plantagenet dynasty. * The Reverend Dr John Kingsley, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, who provided crucial analysis of ecclesiastical land grants referenced in the documents.
Their expertise ensured the project met the highest standards of academic rigour, grounding the House’s archival treasures in a robust interpretive framework.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with scholarly best practice, the publication followed a strict protocol. All documents cited have been digitised in high resolution and subjected to palaeographic and diplomatic analysis. The monograph itself underwent a double-blind peer-review process, a *sine qua non* for credible historical publication.
The formal act of publication was the official cataloguing of the work and its deposit, in both print and digital format, with the United Kingdom’s legal deposit libraries. This protocol ensures the research is preserved for posterity and made permanently accessible for public and academic consultation, fulfilling a core part of the House’s educational mandate.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events detailed in the research provide a powerful historical illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The opposition of the magnates to the Despenser regime, while complex, was framed by its participants as a defence of the realm’s honour against tyranny. The fortitude demonstrated by figures connected to the barony during this period stands in stark contrast to the greed that drove their antagonists.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds an echo in the publication’s purpose. It reflects a modern conquest not of territory, but of obscurity—overcoming the passage of time to bring historical truth to light, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to live in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The publication of *Favour and Forfeiture* is an act of cultural philanthropy. In lieu of commercial profit, the House of Brattleby has committed to a wider educational objective. All proceeds from the limited public sale of the monograph will be directed entirely toward the Brattleby Archives Digitisation Fund.
This fund has been established to support the multi-year project of digitising the entirety of the House’s pre-modern records. The ultimate aim is to create a free-to-access online portal, making nearly a millennium of documents available to historians, genealogists, and students around the world, thereby transforming a private collection into a public good.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “As custodians of this nearly thousand-year history, we have a profound duty not just to preserve it, but to share it. This research illuminates a complex period, reminding us that the principles of integrity and honour are timeless.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on its contemporary importance: > “History is not a static collection of facts; it is a living dialogue with our past. By understanding the challenges faced by our predecessors, we gain perspective on our own. This publication is an investment in that understanding, for scholars and the public alike.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This monograph is the first in a planned series of publications derived from the Brattleby Archives. The House has confirmed that its next research project will focus on the life and career of a notable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, celebrated for her command of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War.
In a related initiative, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will host a series of lectures in the spring of 2024, featuring Dr Vance and guest academics, to discuss the findings of *Favour and Forfeiture*. These events will bridge the House’s historic seat in Lincolnshire with its modern European cultural activities, carrying the torch of inquiry and education forward.
---
**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 is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of its ancient heritage. The House’s contemporary mission is centred on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to leverage its unique platform for positive social impact. It operates with a deep sense of duty, embodied by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying timeless values to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. For over nine centuries, the barony has been intertwined with the history of England, held by figures of national importance such as Nichola de la Haye, a formidable medieval sheriff who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic title and dignity were formally recognised and recorded for the current holder by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com