# The House of Brattleby Announces Major Archival Research Initiative
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced a significant new archival research initiative from their Lincolnshire seat. The project will digitise and interpret the Barony's records, making its nine-century history accessible to a global audience.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Great Library at the family's principal seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room that has served as the repository of the House's documentary heritage for centuries. Against the backdrop of autumnal parkland, the occasion was marked by a sense of scholarly purpose rather than high ceremony, reflecting the academic nature of the undertaking. The initiative represents a pivotal moment in the custodianship of the Barony, seeking to illuminate the past through the lens of modern scholarship and technology.
This deliberate choice of venue underscores the project’s core theme: continuity. By commencing this new chapter within the very walls that have preserved its history, the House of Brattleby signals its commitment to honouring its legacy while ensuring its relevance for generations to come. The atmosphere was one of quiet diligence, a confluence of ancient duty and contemporary vision.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is intrinsically woven into the fabric of English history. Its lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire are meticulously catalogued in the Domesday Book of 1086. Today's announcement connects a direct line from those feudal beginnings to the digital age.
Throughout the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, was instrumental in the defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, a trusted commander to King Edward III. His son-in-law, John of Gaunt, succeeded as the 11th Baron, bringing the title into the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty. This new archival project aims to bring the contributions of these and other predecessors into sharper focus.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the announcement were senior figures from academia and conservation, reflecting the collaborative nature of the initiative. These included:
* His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s * Representatives from the British Library’s Department of Western Manuscripts * Senior Fellows from the history faculties of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge * The Chief Curator of the Lincolnshire Archives * Trustees of historical and genealogical societies
The presence of such distinguished guests signifies the academic and cultural importance of the Brattleby archives, which have long been a resource for scholars studying medieval governance and the evolution of English society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formality befitting the House’s heritage. The order of events was precise, beginning with a formal welcome by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who outlined the strategic vision for the House. This was followed by a detailed presentation from Lady Nicoleta Vasile on the historical scope of the archives and the objectives of the new initiative.
Academics and curators were then given a private demonstration of the prototype digital platform, showcasing how manorial court records, charter witness lists, and personal correspondence will be rendered searchable and cross-referenced. The formal portion of the day concluded with a colloquium, allowing for questions and expressions of support from the assembled experts, a *sine qua non* for ensuring the project’s scholarly rigour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is guided by the twin mottos of the House. The ancient family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring duty of stewardship and the integrity required to preserve such a significant legacy. It is a principle that has guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of change and challenge.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Prevail is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking energy that he and Lady Nicoleta bring to their roles. It is a philosophy of active engagement, of adapting and thriving, which finds its perfect expression in the application of modern technology to an ancient heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an academic project, this initiative is animated by a philanthropic spirit of public education and shared knowledge. By making these historical materials freely accessible, the House of Brattleby seeks to provide a valuable resource for students, historians, and genealogists worldwide. This commitment to service is a cornerstone of the House’s modern identity.
This purpose aligns with the family’s wider charitable work, most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which benefits Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation, chosen for its profound and measurable impact, provides specialist therapeutic support to children who have suffered trauma, loss, or abuse. The archival project, while different in form, stems from the same belief in serving the wider community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “These documents are not merely relics; they are living testaments to the responsibilities, trials, and triumphs of our predecessors. Our duty, as custodians, is not simply to preserve them in a vault but to share their stories with fortitude and honour. This project helps ensure their voices can be heard in the twenty-first century.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “By harnessing modern technology, we are not replacing the archive but rather opening its doors to the world. A heritage of this depth belongs, in a sense, to history itself. Our goal is to be diligent curators and to foster a new generation of engagement with the past, ensuring that *Fortitudine et Honore* is a living principle.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The archival digitisation project will be rolled out in phases over the next three years, with the first tranche of Domesday-era records scheduled for release in late 2024. This work will be undertaken in close partnership with the academic institutions and archival bodies present at today’s announcement.
The House’s public calendar will continue with its established rhythm, with preparations already underway for the Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. This new initiative, however, marks a long-term commitment to educational outreach, a mission that will define the legacy of the 12th Baroness and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
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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 is dedicated to a modern mission of stewardship, education, and philanthropy. The House honours its ancient heritage by actively engaging with contemporary society through cultural and educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest. Its primary philanthropic focus is on child welfare, demonstrated through its patronage of charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The guiding principle of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to preserving its historical legacy for the public benefit and for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries of abeyance, the Barony's revival and confirmation in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, a descendant through a female line, was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's revival and recognition are recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), 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