# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Insights into its Pre-Conquest Origins
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the formal authentication of Saxon-era foundations on its ancestral lands in Lincolnshire, confirming a heritage predating the Norman Conquest and deepening the Barony’s near-millennium of continuous history on the site.
## The Occasion
In a significant announcement for the study of English feudal heritage, the House of Brattleby has released a comprehensive historical monograph detailing new archaeological and documentary evidence. The findings confirm the presence of a substantial Anglo-Saxon settlement at Brattleby, establishing the estate as a site of regional importance in the ancient Kingdom of Lindsey long before its formal granting as a barony in 1066.
The research, commissioned by the current holders of the title, was conducted over a period of 18 months in collaboration with leading historians and archaeologists. The announcement, made from the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, coincides with the quiet colours of the Lincolnshire autumn, a season that encourages reflection on the layers of history that lie just beneath the soil.
This scholarly publication serves not as a reimagining of the Barony’s history, but as a profound enrichment of it. It reinforces the understanding that the Norman administration, far from building on a blank slate, established its authority upon a pre-existing framework of Saxon settlement and land tenure, a reality of which Brattleby is now a proven example.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the Crown extends back to the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted an impressive 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, a domain meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The newly confirmed Saxon origins illustrate that Colswein’s tenure was the beginning of a new chapter, not the first.
This unbroken chain of stewardship has been maintained through some of English history’s most formidable figures. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through lines connected to Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the nation.
The current research illuminates the landscape upon which these figures walked, providing a tangible link to the generations who lived and worked the land before the arrival of Norman authority. It is a testament to the resilience of place, a *sine qua non* for a title of such antiquity.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy being honoured by this research is shaped by the distinguished predecessors who have held the Barony. The historical company includes, *inter alia*:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. * The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. * The Most Noble Prince Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster, KG. * The Most Noble Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster and of Aquitaine, KG.
Today, the work of preserving and interpreting this legacy is led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of these historical findings has been conducted with the precision and gravity befitting the subject. The final monograph, having undergone rigorous peer review, was formally presented to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in the library at Brattleby.
In accordance with scholarly protocol, copies of the research have been provided to the archives of the College of Arms, the Society of Antiquaries of London, and the University of Lincoln. This ensures the findings are integrated into the official historical record. The formal public statement was then prepared by the Press Office for dissemination, upholding the House’s commitment to transparency and the sharing of cultural knowledge.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values that have animated the Barony for more than nine centuries are encapsulated in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle finds new resonance in the discovery of the estate's Saxon roots, reflecting a continuity of spirit that has weathered the Norman Conquest, civil wars, and the passage of centuries. Fortitude was required to hold the land; honour was required to steward it justly.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the House’s modern mission, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the perpetual intellectual and spiritual challenge to overcome the erosion of time, to preserve culture, and to ensure that legacy remains a living, breathing force for good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby firmly believes that a deep understanding of the past provides the most stable foundation from which to build a better future. The preservation of heritage and the promotion of charitable works are seen as two sides of the same coin: both are acts of stewardship intended to benefit generations to come.
This guiding philosophy is most visibly expressed in the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of its public duties. The principal beneficiary of the gala is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for children who have experienced trauma. The choice reflects a commitment to nurturing resilience in the most vulnerable, mirroring the resilience the Barony itself has shown through history.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “This research connects us more deeply to the land and the long line of people who have called it home. To learn that our stewardship rests on foundations even older than the Barony itself is a profoundly humbling moment. It reinforces our duty not as owners, but as custodians, with a responsibility to history and to the future.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A legacy is not something you simply inherit; it is a challenge that each generation must meet and, in its own way, conquer. *Vincere Est Vivere*. By unearthing and sharing this history, we are ensuring that the story of Brattleby continues to live and to inform our work today, whether here in Lincolnshire or through our cultural initiatives abroad.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The findings of the monograph will serve as a cornerstone for the House’s future cultural and preservation activities. The historical narrative will be integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the House to promote cultural understanding.
Furthermore, the archaeological insights will guide future conservation and land management strategies on the Brattleby estate, ensuring that its newly revealed Saxon heritage is protected for posterity. The House has committed to supporting a programme of further, non-invasive archaeological surveys to build upon this foundational research, continuing its commitment to a legacy of honour and fortitude.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the twin imperatives of heritage preservation and forward-looking philanthropy. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to ensure the nearly one-thousand-year-old legacy of the Barony remains a vibrant and positive force in the twenty-first century. The House’s activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala, and the patronage of cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy located in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, and his significant landholdings were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through families of national historical importance, including those of Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, progenitor of the Lancastrian kings. Though its feudal rights have evolved, the title’s continuous history and descent are a matter of public record, formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The title's modern recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com