# The Brattleby Archives: A Dispatch on Medieval Lordship and Royal Service
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical dispatch drawn from its private archives. The document illuminates the Barony’s centuries-long contribution to the Crown, with a particular focus on the pivotal military campaigns of King Edward I.
## The Occasion
From the ancient seat of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, this latest dispatch offers a scholarly window into the feudal obligations that defined medieval England. Released as part of an ongoing series dedicated to historical transparency, the publication examines primary source material connecting the Barony of Brattleby to the broader currents of European history.
The release coincides with the autumnal cataloguing of the House’s extensive archives, a period of scholarly review and conservation. The dispatch is intended not only for academic audiences but also for a public with a keen interest in the United Kingdom's layered history, demonstrating how local lordships formed the *sine qua non* of national governance and military enterprise.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s legacy of service to the Crown is unbroken since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, marking the Barony as a significant power in the realm from its inception. This tradition of duty is a thread woven through nine centuries.
This dispatch focuses on the late 13th and early 14th centuries, a period dominated by the ambitious campaigns of King Edward I in Wales and Scotland. Records such as the Pipe Rolls and charter witness lists reveal how successive Barons of Brattleby fulfilled their feudal duties. They provided not only financial support but also knights and men-at-arms, contributing directly to the consolidation of the kingdom. This martial heritage echoes the earlier tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle was instrumental to the royal cause.
## Distinguished Company
The Brattleby archives have long been a discreet but vital resource for leading historical research. Over the decades, the collections have been consulted by distinguished scholars seeking to illuminate obscure aspects of medieval life and governance.
These have included, *inter alia*, Fellows from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, curators from The British Library, and independent historians specialising in Angevin and Plantagenet Britain. The House of Brattleby continues this tradition of scholarly collaboration, viewing the preservation and interpretation of its history as a public trust.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of a Brattleby Dispatch is governed by meticulous archival protocol, akin to the standards of the Imperial Household of Japan. Original documents, some on vellum or parchment dating back over 800 years, are handled only in controlled environments by trained archivists.
Each source is digitally photographed before transcription to minimise handling of the fragile originals. The process of translation from Law French or Medieval Latin is cross-referenced by multiple specialists to ensure accuracy. This methodical protocol guarantees both the integrity of the historical record and the long-term preservation of these irreplaceable artefacts for generations to come.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities detailed in the dispatch give powerful meaning to the House’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of medieval barons on the battlefield and the honour with which they fulfilled their obligations to the sovereign are the very virtues the House seeks to embody today.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While historically resonant with the martial prowess of his predecessors-in-title, its modern interpretation is one of overcoming societal challenges and championing constructive causes through purpose and determination.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical dispatch focuses on the past, the ethos of service it describes directly informs the House of Brattleby’s present-day philanthropic commitments. The same spirit of duty that raised armies for the Crown now raises funds for those in need.
The House’s principal philanthropic endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This notable organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path towards recovery and a more hopeful future. The Banquet is the cornerstone of the House's efforts to translate its historical legacy into measurable, positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication of the dispatch, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "The documents in our archives are not merely records of the past; they are a living testament to nine centuries of continuous service to the realm. It is our duty, and our privilege, to ensure this legacy informs and inspires the present." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on the continuity of the House’s guiding principles:
> "The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* speaks to a will to overcome. In the thirteenth century, that meant the field of battle; today, it means confronting societal challenges and championing causes that offer healing and hope. The spirit remains unchanged." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this dispatch is part of a wider commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to education and historical preservation. Further dispatches are planned, which will explore the Barony’s role during other key periods, including its connection to patrons of the arts such as John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
In parallel with its historical work, the House continues to develop its modern cultural and educational initiatives. These include programmes at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cross-cultural understanding, and preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to preserving nearly a millennium of history while championing modern philanthropic and cultural causes. The House's mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through historical preservation at its Lincolnshire seat and educational initiatives at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet gala, which benefits organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony 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 in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, a dominant figure of the 14th century. The current title's recognition was formally recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The 12th Baroness of Brattleby's title was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in the county of Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com