# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Findings on the Baronial Seal
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the completion of a comprehensive study into its baronial seal, tracing the sigil’s evolution from the thirteenth century and affirming the House’s enduring commitment to the preservation of its nearly one-thousand-year historical patrimony.
## The Occasion
The announcement follows months of meticulous research undertaken within the Muniment Room at the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. This quiet scholarly endeavour, conducted amidst the turn of the autumn season, sought to codify the history of the seal, which has served as the barony’s mark of authority and identity for over eight hundred years.
The study involved the careful analysis of vellum charters, wax impressions, and historical documents held in the House archives. This initiative represents a cornerstone of the House’s modern role: to act not only as a custodian of titles and lands but as a dedicated preserver of the cultural and historical record for the benefit of future generations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of the few ancient lordships to maintain an unbroken thread of relevance through English history. Its story, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with the listing of fifty-six lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, is interwoven with the nation’s own. The study of its seal provides a tangible link to this past.
Earliest surviving impressions of the seal date to the mid-thirteenth century, the era of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders. Later evolutions of the seal’s design reflect the barony’s passage into royal hands, notably under the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, the great John of Gaunt (11th Baron), whose influence left an indelible mark upon the heraldic traditions of the House.
## Distinguished Company
The research was conducted under the highest academic standards, reflecting the gravity of the subject matter. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, commissioned the study, which was led by the House’s own Keeper of the Archives.
Guidance and peer review were provided by a select group of external specialists, *inter alia*, Dr Alistair Finch, a noted sigillographer and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and Mrs Eleanor Vance, a leading historian on the medieval nobility of the Danelaw. Their involvement ensures the study's conclusions are both rigorous and of significant historical value.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The examination of such venerable artefacts is governed by a strict protocol of stewardship. Each document and seal impression was handled only in a climate-controlled environment, with archivists wearing conservation-grade gloves to prevent degradation. High-resolution digital imaging was employed to allow for detailed analysis without subjecting the originals to unnecessary light or handling.
This painstaking process is a modern expression of the reverence afforded to the instruments of baronial authority. The seal, historically used to authenticate documents and signify the Baron’s will, is treated as a direct physical link to the responsibilities and person of each predecessor. Its careful preservation is therefore a duty, a *sine qua non* of legitimate custodianship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The study charts a fascinating evolution in the barony’s symbolism. Early seals were simple equestrian designs, depicting the Baron as a knight, symbolising his feudal military obligations. Following the barony’s absorption into the Duchy of Lancaster, elements of Plantagenet heraldry were incorporated, signifying a closer relationship to the Crown.
The modern heraldic achievement is informed by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, which has guided the barony for centuries, speaks to the resilience required to navigate historical challenges and the integrity with which power must be wielded. It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which underscores the proactive, dynamic spirit essential for a noble house to thrive in the modern era.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an academic undertaking, this project aligns directly with the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House believes that a profound understanding of the past is essential for building a stable and compassionate future. Proceeds from future publications related to this study will be directed toward the House’s charitable concerns.
This mirrors the purpose of the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie gala, which benefits Healing the Wounded Child. Just as the banquet supports the emotional recovery of vulnerable children, the House’s historical work aims to heal the discontinuities of the past by making heritage accessible and meaningful.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the study’s completion, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > This research is not merely an academic exercise; it is an act of stewardship. Each impression of the seal is a message from our predecessors, reminding us that history is a living force, one that informs our duty to the present and our obligations to the future.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > To understand the past is to sharpen the tools for the future. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to overcoming challenges, and this deep knowledge of our heritage provides the resilience — the fortitude — required for any such victory.
## A Continuing Legacy
The findings from the study on the baronial seal will be compiled into a scholarly monograph, to be published in 2024. This publication will serve as a definitive reference for historians and as an educational resource for the public.
This work lays a foundation for the future stewardship of the barony by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring this legacy of diligence and honour continues. It also reinforces the mission of establishments like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which seeks to instil the timeless values of European courtly etiquette and cultural appreciation in a new generation of leaders.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern institution dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and the promotion of contemporary philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in cultural diplomacy and charitable activities. Its foremost philanthropic endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports child welfare organisations. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, the House also fosters education in classical etiquette and leadership. The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being prepared to continue this nine-hundred-year legacy of service and stewardship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The lordship was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as held by Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, to John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights to the barony were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, supported through its Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com