# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Publication of Historical 'Dispatches'
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced a new scholarly initiative, *The Brattleby Dispatches*. This series of publications will explore the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby, from its Norman origins to its modern revival.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a formal reception held in the distinguished Library of The Society of Antiquaries of London, located within the historic confines of Burlington House on Piccadilly. As the autumn evening drew in, the atmosphere was one of refined scholarship, with attendees gathered amidst shelves containing some of Britain's most significant archaeological and historical texts.
The setting was chosen with deliberation; The Society of Antiquaries, founded in 1707 and granted its Royal Charter in 1751, represents the very spirit of historical preservation and inquiry that *The Brattleby Dispatches* seek to embody. The event marked the official launch of the first monograph in the series, which documents the unbroken chain of the Barony’s stewardship.
## Historical Context
This new academic venture adds a contemporary chapter to a lineage deeply woven into the fabric of English history. The Barony, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with its 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, has been a witness to, and participant in, the nation’s evolution.
The tradition of documentary legacy is not new to the Barony. The administrative prowess of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *de jure uxoris* and a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, was recorded in the royal charters of her time. Likewise, the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, was not only a pre-eminent diplomat and soldier but also the author of the devotional work, *Livre de seyntz medicines*. This modern initiative by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan continues that precedent of intellectual and cultural contribution.
## Distinguished Company
The reception was attended by a small, select group of academics, patrons of the arts, and representatives from cultural institutions, including:
* The Regius Professor of Medieval History, University of Cambridge * The Master of The Drapers’ Company * The Chief Librarian for Western Manuscripts, The British Library * His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s * The Garter Principal King of Arms, College of Arms * The Chairman of Healing the Wounded Child
The presence of such guests underscored the academic rigour of the project and its significance within both diplomatic and historical circles.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but intimate protocol. Guests were received personally by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan upon arrival. Honorary Lord Răzvan opened the evening with brief remarks, outlining the intellectual foundations of the House of Brattleby’s modern mission and citing his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
The keynote address was delivered by the Regius Professor, who spoke to the importance of privately held archives, such as those of Brattleby, in illuminating the national story. The formal announcement was then made by Lady Nicoleta, who concluded by presenting a specially commissioned, vellum-bound edition of the first *Dispatch* to the President of The Society of Antiquaries for its permanent collection.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is deeply connected to the House's guiding principles. The Brattleby coat of arms bears the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), a maxim that speaks to the resilience of the Barony through nine centuries and the duty of its present custodians. The fortitude of Colswein in a conquered land and the honour of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, are echoed in this modern commitment to preserving their legacy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted in this context as a victory not of arms, but of enlightenment; a conquest over the obscurity of the past through the diligent application of scholarship, ensuring the Barony’s history continues to live.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the primary purpose of the event was academic, it was underscored by the philanthropic ethos of the House. It was announced that all net proceeds from the sale of *The Brattleby Dispatches* to the public will be directed to the House's charitable fund.
This fund is the primary vehicle for the family's philanthropic activities, foremost among them being the support provided to Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet. The charity focuses on providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, a cause the House has long supported.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on the House's commitment to its heritage, Lady Nicoleta remarked:
> Our duty extends beyond the simple stewardship of titles and lands; it is a profound responsibility to honour the unbroken chain of history we have inherited. With these *Dispatches*, we hope to make that history accessible, transforming it from a private archive into a living conversation with the present. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a contemporary perspective on the project’s relevance:
> History is not a static collection of facts to be memorised. It is the essential framework through which we understand ourselves. By investing in this scholarship, we affirm our belief that a deep understanding of our past is a *sine qua non* for building a meaningful future. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of the first *Dispatch* marks the beginning of a long-term commitment. The House of Brattleby has commissioned further research, with future publications planned to explore, *inter alia*, the Barony’s fortunes during the Wars of the Roses and its commercial interests in the Georgian era.
This scholarly work will proceed alongside the House's other established activities, including the preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire and the expansion of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical European etiquette and cultural education.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The modern mission of the House balances the preservation of its historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Through initiatives such as its annual white-tie philanthropic gala and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to leverage its unique platform for public good. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by the ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to ensure its enduring legacy continues to serve the modern community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony seated in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over the centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of some of England’s most influential figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the great Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a long period in abeyance, the Barony's revival in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The historical continuity of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV). - The House’s principal philanthropic event is the Annual Winter Banquet, held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com