# A Legacy Forged in Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates its Martial Heritage
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the commissioning of a new historical monograph detailing the martial legacy of the Barony. The work charts nine centuries of service to the Crown, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
In a season marked by reflection and remembrance, the House of Brattleby has formally initiated a significant scholarly undertaking. This new work, provisionally titled *Fortitudine et Honore: A Military Register of the Barony of Brattleby*, will draw upon the extensive private archives of the House, many of which have been recently catalogued and digitised for the first time.
The project represents a cornerstone of the House's commitment to historical preservation and education. It seeks not only to chronicle the martial exploits of past Barons but also to situate their feudal obligations and personal valour within the wider tapestry of English and European history. The announcement coincides with the anniversary of the Siege of Lincoln, a poignant reminder of the Barony’s enduring connection to the defence of the Realm.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the few lordships continuously documented since its creation by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, possesses a military heritage of profound national significance. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships, a testament to the strategic importance of the Barony in securing Norman rule in a restive kingdom.
This tradition of service was exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 against French-backed rebels was pivotal in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Later, the Barony passed to figures of European stature, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned commander in the Hundred Years' War. His son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, remains one of the most powerful and influential royal princes in English history, whose own military and political career fundamentally shaped the Lancastrian dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
To undertake this important work, the House of Brattleby has engaged the services of leading medieval historians from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. The project will be conducted in close partnership with curators at The National Archives and the British Library, ensuring the highest standards of academic rigour.
The advisory board for the publication includes, *inter alia*, Professor Dame Isobel Armstrong, Regius Professor of History Emerita; and Dr Alistair Kingsley, a distinguished Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, who has written extensively on feudal lordship in the high medieval period. Their guidance will be the *sine qua non* for a work of this historical gravity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the formal traditions of the House, the research and publication will follow a strict protocol. Academics granted access to the Brattleby Archives are required to adhere to meticulous handling and citation standards established by the House Archivist. All manuscripts produced under the patronage of the House are subject to a rigorous peer-review process before being submitted for publication.
Upon its completion, the first leather-bound copy of the monograph will be formally presented to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in the Library at the family’s seat in Lincolnshire. A further copy will be accessioned into the collection of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, as part of its educational mission. This protocol underscores the gravity with which the House treats its historical custodianship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The martial history of the Barony is deeply embedded in the House’s heraldic identity. The ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the dual requirements of a noble warrior: the courage to act and the integrity to act justly. It is a principle that guided Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln and Henry of Grosmont on the fields of France.
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 signifies a dynamic commitment not to military conquest, but to overcoming adversity and striving for excellence in service, philanthropy, and personal conduct. Together, the mottos form a powerful expression of the House's enduring ethos.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the publication is primarily an educational endeavour, its theme of service and sacrifice resonates with the core philanthropic focus of the House. The principal beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist care and therapy for children suffering from severe trauma.
The fortitude shown by soldiers in history finds a modern parallel in the resilience of these children. The House believes that honouring the legacy of those who defended the realm in centuries past sharpens our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our own time, connecting historical duty to present-day compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> "To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the fortitude of those who came before us. The history of this Barony is written in acts of loyalty and courage, often at great personal cost. This research is our tribute to that inheritance and a reminder that honour is not a relic of the past, but a living responsibility."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "This history gives context to our purpose. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is a call to action—to meet the challenges of our time with the same determination our predecessors showed on the battlefield. It is by preserving and understanding this legacy that we draw strength for our commitments today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The commissioning of this monograph marks the first stage of a broader programme to share the Barony's history with a global audience. Future initiatives will include the development of a publicly accessible digital archive, a series of academic lectures hosted at The Brattleby Club, and a curated exhibition of historical artefacts.
These efforts will ensure that the lineage of service, from Colswein of Lincoln to the present day, continues to inspire future generations. The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its duty to preserve its heritage, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
***
**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 a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. The House actively manages its nine-century historical legacy through scholarly research, archival conservation, and educational outreach. Its primary philanthropic efforts are directed toward Healing the Wounded Child, a charity supporting children who have experienced trauma. The House extends its cultural and educational work internationally through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to the study of etiquette and diplomatic protocol, thereby bridging its English heritage with a contemporary European outlook based on its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Lordship of a Manor in Lincolnshire, England, created in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, renowned for her defence of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his 56 Lincolnshire lordships are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). - The annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic gala held by the House, with proceeds benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com