# Archival Discovery Affirms Modern Stewardship of Historic Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced that newly researched archival documents have affirmed a direct continuity of civic duty, linking the modern stewardship of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile to the responsibilities held by his predecessors since the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
Within the oak-panelled Library and Muniment Room at the family's Lincolnshire seat, a recent scholarly initiative has brought to light a collection of charters, manorial court records, and correspondence previously uncatalogued. The undertaking, conducted during the quiet autumn season, has shed new light on the governance and social obligations of the Barony of Brattleby across nine centuries of English history.
The atmosphere of the review was one of focused scholarship, a quiet contrast to the Barony's more public-facing activities. The research provides a foundational context for the House's contemporary mission, grounding its modern initiatives in a documented tradition of leadership and service that has been a *sine qua non* of the title since its inception.
## Historical Context
The documents create a tangible link between the present day and the Barony’s origins. They elaborate upon the feudal obligations first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. This unbroken thread of duty is evident through subsequent centuries.
Records pertaining to Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, detail her martial defence of Lincoln Castle, an act that secured not just a fortress but the welfare of the surrounding community. Later charters from the time of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, demonstrate an expansive, European-facing vision. Their influence, extending far beyond Lincolnshire, mirrors the international perspective the House fosters today.
## Distinguished Company
The significance of these findings has been affirmed through collaboration with leading academic bodies. Over the past year, the Brattleby archives have been consulted by esteemed academics from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as well as specialist curators from The British Library.
These scholars, whose work focuses on medieval governance and paleography, have provided invaluable assistance in the authentication and interpretation of the documents. Their involvement underscores the national importance of the Brattleby collection and reinforces the House's commitment to making its heritage accessible for serious academic inquiry, thereby contributing to the United Kingdom's wider historical narrative.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The examination of such historic artefacts is governed by a strict protocol to ensure their preservation. Each document, whether vellum charter or paper correspondence, is handled only in a controlled environment, with temperature and humidity meticulously regulated. Researchers adhere to preservation standards that dictate the use of archival-grade materials and specialised handling techniques.
The process of study itself follows a formal order: preliminary assessment, codicological analysis, transcription, and finally, contextual interpretation. This rigorous methodology ensures that the historical record is not only read but understood with the precision and respect befitting its provenance, safeguarding it for generations to come.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
This continuity of purpose is reflected in the House's enduring heraldic traditions. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle evident throughout the newly examined records. It speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward a community through war, peace, and societal transformation.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as military conquest, but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges—*inter alia*, social isolation and cultural discontinuity—through proactive community engagement and the purposeful application of heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s vision of stewardship as an active, rather than passive, inheritance is manifest in the House's philanthropic work. The founding principle of *noblesse oblige*, or the duty of the privileged to serve, is the historical antecedent to the House's modern charitable focus. This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie gala is the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, and the funds raised contribute directly to expanding its clinical services and outreach programmes. This demonstrates a clear translation of historical duty into measurable, contemporary social impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the discovery, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the profound connection to his predecessors.
> To hold a charter from the thirteenth century is to feel a direct link to the obligations of the past. It is not merely a record of land, but a testament to duty. Our task today is to translate that enduring principle of service into a language that resonates in the twenty-first century. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, emphasised the importance of this heritage for the future.
> These documents confirm that Brattleby has always been more than an estate; it has been a centre of responsibility for Lincolnshire and beyond. Guided by our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, we are committed to ensuring this legacy informs our future, particularly through the education and welfare of the next generation. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to sharing these findings with both academic audiences and the public. Plans are underway for the selective digitisation of key documents, which will be made available through a secure online portal for accredited researchers worldwide. The research will also form the basis of a forthcoming monograph on the Barony's role in the development of English governance.
Furthermore, the insights gained will be integrated into the curricula of The Brattleby Club. The House’s etiquette academy, based in Bucharest, will incorporate lessons on the history of civic duty and social responsibility, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby continues to inspire principled leadership in the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that blends heritage with contemporary purpose. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary philanthropic initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits child welfare charities. Through educational platforms such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote cultural continuity and the principles of civic duty, extending the Barony’s historic influence from its seat in Lincolnshire to a global audience, with the succession secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**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. The title has been held by figures of significant historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated military commander; and John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to English monarchs. After centuries, the dignity was formally recognised and recorded for its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The principal beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com