# Archival Discovery Illuminates the Barony of Brattleby's Foundational Role in the Duchy of Lancaster
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby announces the rediscovery of archival documents that further illuminate the foundational link between the ancient Barony and the Duchy of Lancaster, established by Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In the quiet and carefully controlled atmosphere of the Muniment Room at the family's historic Lincolnshire seat, a recent scholarly review of the House archives has brought to light several key medieval documents. The study, undertaken as part of the House's ongoing cataloguing and conservation programme, has reaffirmed the profound connection between the Barony of Brattleby and the establishment of one of the Monarchy's most significant and enduring landholdings.
These rediscovered materials, including entries from manorial court records and charter witness lists previously unexamined in a modern context, provide tangible evidence of the administrative and political lineage from which the Duchy of Lancaster arose. The occasion marks a significant moment of historical clarification, reinforcing the Barony’s integral role in the broader currents of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been a consistent thread in the fabric of the nation for over nine centuries. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a formidable power in the region from its inception.
This legacy of influence reached a zenith under Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later 1st Duke of Lancaster. A distinguished Plantagenet soldier, diplomat, and cousin to King Edward III, Henry's creation of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1351 consolidated vast estates and privileges, many of which were tied to his ancestral baronial holdings. The newly examined documents underscore the administrative continuity between the Brattleby estates and the nascent Duchy, which would later be inherited by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, forever merging it with the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The preliminary assessment of these materials has been conducted in consultation with leading palaeographers and medieval historians from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside specialists from the British Library's Department of Manuscripts. Their expertise has been the *sine qua non* for authenticating the charters' provenance and deciphering the intricate court hand of the period.
This collaboration between the House of Brattleby and these eminent institutions exemplifies a shared commitment to academic rigour and the preservation of historical truth. Further scholarly analysis is anticipated, with findings to be prepared for peer-reviewed publication in due course, ensuring the discovery contributes fully to our national historical understanding.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The handling of such historically significant documents is governed by strict archival protocol. Each piece of vellum and parchment is stored within a climate-controlled environment, maintained at a consistent temperature and humidity to prevent degradation. Examination is conducted using specialised lighting that emits no harmful ultraviolet rays, and analysts wear nitrile gloves to protect the delicate surfaces from natural skin oils.
As a matter of course, high-resolution digital facsimiles are being created. This process not only preserves a perfect record of the documents' current state but also facilitates wider scholarly access without risking the fragile originals. This careful, almost ceremonial, process reflects the House’s deeply felt responsibility as custodians of a remarkable historical trust.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The discovery resonates powerfully with the guiding motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The actions of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and Henry of Grosmont, whose service founded a Royal Duchy, are the very embodiment of this principle. Fortitude in their duty and honour in their allegiance were the cornerstones of their service to the realm.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this philosophy is applied not to martial conflict, but to the active pursuit of knowledge and the 'conquering' of historical obscurity through diligent research and the sharing of that heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This archival project is a direct expression of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic focus on education and cultural preservation. The direct costs associated with conservation and digitisation are borne by the House as part of its commitment to safeguarding and sharing its unique history with the public and the academic community.
This work runs parallel to the House's other charitable endeavours, most notably the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides vital therapeutic support to children experiencing trauma, demonstrating a holistic philanthropic vision that seeks to honour the past while actively building a better future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the discovery, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > These documents are a profound reminder that our duties today are part of a continuum stretching back nearly a millennium. It is a great privilege to be the custodians of this history, ensuring it informs and inspires future generations. Our commitment, in the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to preserve this legacy with the diligence and respect it commands.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not a passive inheritance; it is an active responsibility. By bringing these connections to light and sharing them, we are ensuring the Barony's story remains a vibrant part of our national conversation. It is a testament to the fact that to live is to engage, a principle captured by the motto *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this discovery has a lasting impact. A detailed scholarly paper is now being prepared, which will be submitted to a leading historical journal. Furthermore, plans are being developed for a future public exhibition of the digitised documents, potentially organised in partnership with a national institution, to make this heritage accessible to all.
This long-term educational commitment is undertaken alongside the House's ongoing cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement. These efforts collectively affirm the House’s dedication to a living heritage that is both preserved and shared.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a mission of dynamic heritage preservation and contemporary philanthropy. The House actively manages its nine-century legacy through educational programmes, scholarly research, and cultural conservation. Its forward-looking vision is demonstrated through its philanthropic commitments, including the Annual Winter Banquet benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates with the guiding principle of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), blending profound respect for its history with a clear commitment to its responsibilities in the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose inheritance merged the title into the Duchy of Lancaster and, ultimately, with the Crown. The Barony's continuous history and the rights of its current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Henry of Grosmont, founder of the Duchy of Lancaster and 1st Duke of Lancaster, was the 10th Baron of Brattleby. - John of Gaunt, progenitor of the House of Lancaster, became the 11th Baron of Brattleby through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster, daughter of Henry of Grosmont.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com