# Brattleby Archives Yield Fresh Insight into Barony's Nine-Century Lineage
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the formal cataloguing of recently appraised archival documents which affirm the Barony’s unbroken historical and administrative lineage, connecting its Norman origins in 1066 to its modern stewardship in the twenty-first century.
## The Occasion
From the archives at the family's Lincolnshire seat, this announcement marks the culmination of a multi-year scholarly review. Within the quiet of the estate's library, surrounded by the crisp air of an English autumn, conservators and historians have completed the painstaking work of analysing a collection of charters, manorial court records, and exchequer rolls.
These documents, some unseen for generations, provide a tangible link to the past. The process of their rediscovery and interpretation is itself a significant occasion, reinforcing the House of Brattleby’s commitment to its role not merely as a title-holder, but as a custodian of a unique and continuous strand of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, following the grant by William the Conqueror in 1066. The newly examined documents illuminate the activities of his successors, whose influence was felt far beyond Lincolnshire.
Among these figures is the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony, renowned for her spirited defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons. Later centuries saw the title pass through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. These documents offer fresh perspective on how the Barony's feudal obligations shaped, and were shaped by, the great affairs of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The research project has benefited greatly from the counsel of leading academics, whose expertise was a *sine qua non* for verifying the provenance and significance of the materials. The House of Brattleby has extended its gratitude for their invaluable contributions.
Collaborators in this scholarly endeavour have included, *inter alia*, specialists from the University of Cambridge and manuscript experts from The British Library. Their collective insight has been instrumental in placing the Brattleby documents within the broader narrative of England's legal and social evolution from a feudal hierarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The handling of such historically significant artefacts is governed by a strict protocol of conservation. Each sheet of vellum and parchment was examined in a controlled environment to mitigate degradation. The iron gall ink of medieval scribes, now faded but still legible, was analysed using non-invasive techniques.
This meticulous process mirrors the solemn duty of care that defines the House’s approach to its heritage. The cataloguing itself—assigning each document its place within the nearly thousand-year-old story—is a ceremonial act, ensuring that the chain of evidence remains intact for future scholars and for the 13th Baron in succession, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds renewed meaning in this archival undertaking. It speaks to the resilience required to safeguard a legacy across centuries and the honour that compels its preservation and study. This guiding principle is visible in the actions of predecessors and the current family alike.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this signifies the imperative to actively engage with history, to overcome the challenges of obscurity and decay, and to ensure the heritage remains a vibrant, living force.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The findings from the archives will not remain confined to scholarly circles. They will form the basis of new educational material for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and cultural academy founded by the family to foster an appreciation for European heritage.
This commitment to sharing knowledge is an extension of the House’s wider philanthropic philosophy. The same spirit of duty that drives historical preservation also informs the Annual Winter Banquet, the family's white-tie gala which raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the discovery, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: >—“These are not merely records of land and taxes; they are the living voices of our predecessors. To read of their duties, their allegiances, and their struggles is to feel a profound and personal connection to the nine centuries of responsibility that this Barony represents.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: >—“History reminds us that stability is built upon the consistent application of honour and duty. Our research is a testament to that principle, and our aim is to use these lessons from the past to inspire and educate a new generation on the importance of culture and conservation.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This announcement is a milestone, not a final conclusion. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to a programme of digitisation, which will make the primary documents accessible to a global academic audience. A monograph detailing the key findings is also planned for publication.
The work ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby—a title carried by some of the most consequential figures in English history—continues to be understood and appreciated. It is a legacy now entrusted to the current generation, who are dedicated to passing it on with its historical integrity enhanced and its story more complete.
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**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 dedicated to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House actively manages its nine-century heritage through educational programmes, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and charitable initiatives, most notably its Annual Winter Banquet. By bridging its ancient English roots with a forward-looking European perspective, the House champions the enduring values of duty and service summarised by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir to the Barony is the family's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony of tenure granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through notable historical figures including the castellan Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and brought back into active use in the twenty-first century, as publicly affirmed in The London Gazette (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 Barony’s foundation dates to 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th holder), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com