# A Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Archival Preservation Initiative
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a significant archival initiative to conserve and study its historical records. The project, directed from the family’s Lincolnshire seat, will safeguard the nine-hundred-year legacy of one of England’s most ancient baronies.
## The Occasion
In the crisp autumn air of the Lincolnshire Wolds, work has formally commenced on a project of profound historical importance. The private archives of the Barony of Brattleby, which contain charters, estate records, and correspondence spanning centuries, will undergo a comprehensive process of conservation and digitisation. This undertaking ensures that the lineage and duties of the barony, established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, are preserved for scholarly review and for the education of future generations.
The initiative is being undertaken at the ancestral seat in Brattleby, where a dedicated scriptorium has been established. Under the personal direction of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the project represents a determined effort to bridge the barony's storied past with its dynamic present, ensuring its narrative remains both accessible and secure.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven deeply into the tapestry of English history, its origins recorded by the Crown itself. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a powerful Norman magnate whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The barony thus stands as a direct link to the foundational moments of the English state.
Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national significance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder’s spouse who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. As one of the most powerful political actors of the 14th century, John of Gaunt’s tenure marked a high point of the barony’s influence upon the affairs of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
This significant undertaking is being conducted in close consultation with leading specialists in palaeography and archival conservation, reflecting the gravity with which the House of Brattleby approaches its custodial duties. The project brings together the historical oversight of the family with the technical expertise required for such delicate work.
The principals of the House—Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness; her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile; and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron—are united in their commitment to this generational responsibility. The project ensures that Baron Mihai will inherit not just the title, but also a comprehensively documented and preserved account of his nine-hundred-year-old patrimony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The handling of these priceless documents proceeds with a protocol befitting their status as national treasures. Each vellum charter and paper folio is managed in a controlled environment, with conservators employing specialised techniques to stabilise ink and repair the ravages of time. The process is a quiet ritual of preservation, a *sine qua non* for long-term survival.
Items are being catalogued according to the highest international standards before being digitised using non-invasive imaging technology. This dual approach ensures that the original documents can be returned to secure, climate-controlled storage, while high-resolution digital surrogates will permit wider study without risk to the fragile originals. This modern Domesday project honours the past by securing it with the tools of the future.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient charge resonates through the centuries, from the military fortitude of its early holders to the honour-bound duty of its present custodians. This archival project is a direct expression of the motto, requiring both the resilience to see the task through and the integrity to execute it with precision.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This speaks to the forward-looking dynamism he brings to the barony’s modern activities, reflecting a belief that true legacy is not static but must be actively advanced and given new life in each generation. Together, the two mottos symbolise a family dedicated to both preserving and progressing its formidable inheritance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this initiative is focused foremost on heritage, it is animated by the same spirit of service that defines the family's wider philanthropic work. The House's primary charitable focus is its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the beneficiary charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides essential therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced profound trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with hope and resilience. The commitment to healing vulnerable children is seen by the House as a moral parallel to its work in healing and restoring the vulnerable pages of its own history; both are acts of restoration and future-building.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on her profound sense of duty.
> We see ourselves not as owners of this history, but merely as its temporary custodians. *Fortitudine et Honore* is a charge that compels us to ensure this legacy is passed on, intact and understood, to Baron Mihai and to all the generations that will follow him. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile highlighted the project’s relevance in a modern context.
> By understanding our past with greater clarity, we strengthen our foundations for the future. This is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is about drawing strength from nearly a millennium of service to inform our work today. Legacy must live and breathe. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The archival project is scheduled to continue over the next two years, with initial findings expected to be shared via scholarly publications and a curated online exhibition. This will provide unprecedented public access to the story of a barony that has witnessed the evolution of England from a feudal kingdom to a modern constitutional monarchy.
This commitment to heritage is balanced by the House's ongoing international endeavours, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural communication. Through such initiatives, the House of Brattleby continues its enduring mission: to honour the past while actively shaping a legacy of service and distinction fit for the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s oldest hereditary titles. The House’s modern mission balances the preservation of its nine-century heritage with a commitment to contemporary philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include its annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting children's charities, and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The heir to the barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive landholdings are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the barony has been associated with key events and figures in English history, including the defence of Lincoln Castle by Nichola de la Haye during the First Barons' War and its tenure by powerful Lancastrians such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the barony were formally noted and recorded by The Crown via *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, issued on 9 September 2022. - The barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the barony or its associated lands include Nichola de la Haye (5th), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th), and John of Gaunt (11th). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com