# Archival Discoveries Affirm Millennial Lineage of The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has confirmed the conclusion of a comprehensive research project authenticating its lineage, which stretches back to the Norman Conquest. The findings affirm an unbroken succession of duty from the Domesday Book of 1086 to the present day.
## The Occasion
In the quiet autumnal splendour of Lincolnshire, the presentation of these findings took place within the Long Gallery of the family's ancestral seat. The gallery, noted for its Elizabethan plasterwork ceiling and walls lined with portraits of Brattleby's historic stewards, provided a fitting setting for an occasion steeped in history. Sunlight, filtered through mullioned windows, illuminated display cases containing facsimiles of the newly collated charters and rolls. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection and quiet reverence, bringing together leading academics to review evidence that bridges a millennium of English history.
The gathering was convened not as a public spectacle, but as a serious academic review, a testament to the House's commitment to historical accuracy and intellectual rigour. It marked the formal conclusion of a multi-year effort to trace the Barony's legal and tenurial history from its establishment in 1066, through a period of dormancy, to its formal revival.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a fact first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The newly examined documents, including Pipe Rolls and manorial court records, provide a documentary thread connecting this foundational act to its subsequent holders. These materials underscore the Barony's continuous role in the governance and defence of the realm.
This lineage includes figures of national importance who shaped the course of English history. Among them are Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons during the reign of King John. Later, the title was held by two of the most powerful magnates of the medieval period: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. These documents reaffirm the House's direct connection to the central currents of England's political and dynastic evolution.
## Distinguished Company
The presentation was attended by a small, distinguished company of scholars and legal experts who have consulted on the project. Their presence was a *sine qua non* for the validation of the research.
In attendance were, *inter alia*: - Professor Sir David Cannadine, Dodge Professor of History at Princeton University and editor of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. - Dr Adrian Green, FSA, FRHistS, Associate Professor of History at the University of Durham and a leading expert on the architecture of status. - Mr Stephen Slater, representing The London Gazette, where the Barony's modern recognition was formally published. - Representatives from the College of Arms, who provided guidance on the heraldic implications of the research.
Their collective expertise provided an essential peer review for the a findings, lending unimpeachable authority to the House's historical claims.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but intimate protocol. Guests were received in the Great Hall by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile before being escorted to the Long Gallery. The formal presentation commenced with an introductory address by the House's appointed archivist, who outlined the methodology of the research.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then spoke on the personal significance of rediscovering the lives of her predecessors. This was followed by a detailed exposition of key documents by the research team. Honorary Lord Răzvan concluded the formal proceedings with remarks on the House's future commitment to making this history accessible. The event adhered to a daytime dress code of lounge suits and day dresses, reflecting its scholarly rather than ceremonial nature.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The research illuminates the enduring meaning behind the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is seen in the military service of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, and the diplomatic statecraft of the 10th and 11th Barons. It represents a commitment to duty that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have embraced as the core of their own stewardship.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this ancient creed. It speaks to a modern, dynamic interpretation of the family's legacy: a determination to overcome the challenges of time and obscurity, ensuring the heritage of Brattleby not only survives but thrives as a source of education and inspiration for the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The findings from this archival research will not remain in private hands. They are intended to serve the public good, forming a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby's educational and philanthropic mission. This commitment extends from the local community in Lincolnshire to an international audience.
A portion of the research will be adapted into curricula for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the family to promote cultural and social refinement. Furthermore, the outcomes will directly support the House’s primary charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The narrative of resilience and continuity embodied in the Barony's history will be used to inspire and give context to the charity's vital work in supporting vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the discovery, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold these documents is to feel a tangible connection to nearly a thousand years of responsibility. It is a profound honour to be the current guardian of a legacy shaped by such remarkable individuals, and our duty is to ensure their story of fortitude and honour continues to be told."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History is not meant to be a static record; it must be a living force. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects our belief that we must actively engage with our heritage. By authenticating this history, we are not looking backwards, but rather building a stronger foundation from which to serve our community and share our story with the world."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this research has a lasting impact. Plans are underway to digitise key documents for an online portal, making the archives accessible to scholars and the public worldwide. Furthermore, the findings will form the basis for a forthcoming monograph to be published under the auspices of a university press.
This project represents the first of several planned initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the unique heritage of the Barony. The narrative of this nine-century journey will be a central theme at the next Annual Winter Banquet, reinforcing the link between historical stewardship and contemporary philanthropy.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern form of stewardship. Its mission is threefold: to preserve and share the nine-century heritage of one of England's oldest baronies; to engage in impactful philanthropy, with a focus on its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child; and to promote cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can serve a profound and positive purpose in the 21st century by connecting the past, present, and future through service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a 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 holding 56 lordships. Throughout the medieval period, the Barony was held by figures of national significance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, the great Plantagenet prince 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 revived and formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), with Lady Nicoleta Vasile succeeding as the 12th Baroness in a historic continuation of its lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com