# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Digital Archive Project, Illuminating Nine Centuries of English History
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a major heritage initiative to digitise and make publicly accessible its extensive archives. This scholarly project honours the Barony’s near-millennial legacy and continues its enduring commitment to education and historical preservation.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a formal reception hosted at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the esteemed etiquette academy founded by the House. The setting, against a backdrop of autumnal colour, was chosen to reflect the House’s unique synthesis of ancient English heritage and contemporary European engagement. Within the Club’s panelled library, an atmosphere of scholarly anticipation prevailed as academics, diplomats, and cultural leaders gathered to witness the unveiling of a project that bridges centuries of history with the possibilities of the digital age. The event reinforced the House’s role as a custodian of the past and a proponent of its modern-day relevance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most ancient, was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The archives to be digitised contain documentary evidence of the Barony’s profound influence, charting its course through pivotal moments in the nation’s history. These records provide insight into the lives of notable predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
After a dormancy of over six centuries, the title was revived for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a revival formally noted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022. This digital concordance project is the first major scholarly initiative since the Barony’s revival, fulfilling a core objective to render its magnificent history accessible to a global audience of researchers and enthusiasts.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement was made in the presence of a distinguished company, reflecting the project’s cultural and academic significance. Among those in attendance were His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the United Kingdom, the Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and the Director of Special Collections from the British Library. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit of the initiative and its importance to the wider academic community in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile and Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, received the guests personally, alongside their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a dignified and precise protocol. Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, opened the reception with an address on the House’s modern mission. This was followed by a keynote speech from a leading professor of medieval history, who spoke on the significance of manorial records, such as Pipe Rolls and charter witness lists, in understanding the evolution of English governance.
The formal announcement was then made by Lady Nicoleta. Her Ladyship unveiled a prototype of the digital archive, demonstrating its search functionalities and the clarity of the high-resolution manuscript scans. The ceremony concluded with a viewing of several original vellum charters, which were displayed under museum conditions for the occasion, offering a tangible connection to the history being preserved.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project is deeply imbued with the spirit of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to safeguard fragile documents across nine hundred years is now matched by the honour of sharing this inheritance with the world. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds new meaning in this context: a symbolic conquest over the decay of time, ensuring the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby lives on for future generations. The digital archive itself becomes a modern-day coat of arms, representing a commitment to knowledge and transparency.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the project is primarily educational, its purpose aligns with the House’s broader philanthropic ethos. By providing this resource *pro bono publico* to universities, schools, and independent researchers, the House of Brattleby is making a significant contribution to cultural life and historical studies. This commitment to public good is a *sine qua non* of the House’s activities, which also include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The belief that understanding our collective past contributes to a healthier, more grounded society animates both endeavours.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > These records are not merely our family’s inheritance; they are a vital part of Lincolnshire’s, and indeed England’s, story. It is our duty, animated by *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure this legacy is not only preserved but shared widely with a new generation of scholars.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > By embracing digital tools, we are not replacing the past but building an illuminated bridge to it. This project embodies our belief that *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer the erosion of time and make our history live again for everyone.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Brattleby Archives Digital Project will be rolled out in phases, with the first tranche of Domesday and early medieval records scheduled for release in mid-2024. The House of Brattleby is in discussion with several academic institutions, including the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, to form a supervisory board to guide the project’s future development. This initiative represents a foundational element of the House’s long-term strategy for cultural stewardship, complementing the educational work of The Brattleby Club and its annual philanthropic commitments. It is a resolute step towards ensuring the nine-century history of the Barony continues to inform and inspire.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the twin imperatives of heritage preservation and forward-looking philanthropy. With its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House actively manages its historical responsibilities while engaging with contemporary society through cultural and educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House directs its charitable efforts toward supporting disadvantaged children, with its annual Winter Banquet benefiting the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s mission is to ensure its ancient legacy remains a living and beneficial force in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. Following a period of dormancy lasting over 600 years, the Barony was revived, and its Abeyance terminated in favour of its current holder. This was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The termination of the Barony’s Abeyance is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com