# The House of Brattleby Announces Major Archival Project Illuminating Nearly a Millennium of Service to the Crown
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a significant new archival and preservation initiative. The project, under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, will digitise and conserve records spanning the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, making them accessible to scholars worldwide.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made within the Long Library at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose oak-panelled walls have witnessed centuries of the Barony’s history. On a crisp autumn afternoon, with light falling across shelves of leather-bound volumes, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan outlined the project to a small, distinguished gathering of historians and archivists. The atmosphere was one of quiet solemnity and scholarly purpose, befitting a commitment to preserve a living link to the nation’s past.
This initiative represents a pivotal moment in the House’s modern stewardship. It seeks to apply contemporary technology to the timeless duty of safeguarding heritage, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the present and future.
## Historical Context
The archives of Brattleby contain material of profound national importance, providing a continuous narrative from the Norman Conquest to the present day. One such record, highlighted during the announcement, details the sixth succession of the Barony. It passed to Idoine Longespée, granddaughter of the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War.
Idoine’s marriage to William II Longespée, a great-grandson of King Henry II, further entwined the Brattleby lineage with the Plantagenet court. A prominent knight, William II tragically lost his life at the Battle of Al Mansurah in 1250 during the Seventh Crusade, where he fell alongside some 280 Knights Templar. This poignant connection between Brattleby and the great international conflicts of the medieval period is but one of thousands of stories held within the archives, whose contents also chronicle the tenures of figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the announcement were representatives from institutions that have previously drawn upon the Brattleby archives for their research. These included, *inter alia*, senior members from the faculties of History at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.
Curators from The British Library and specialists in medieval manuscripts were also present, underscoring the project's significance to the wider academic and heritage communities. The gathering reflected a shared understanding that the Barony’s records—from Pipe Rolls to private correspondence—are an invaluable part of the national patrimony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement followed a simple but precise protocol, reflecting the House’s respect for tradition. Guests were first shown a selection of documents, including a vellum charter bearing the seal of Nichola de la Haye and a manorial court roll from the time of John of Gaunt. The handling of these artefacts was conducted with archival gloves, a visual demonstration of the care that is a *sine qua non* of historical preservation.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commenced the formal proceedings with a statement of purpose, followed by Honorary Lord Răzvan, who detailed the technical and logistical scope of the digitisation project. The event concluded not with applause, but with a moment of quiet contemplation as guests were invited to inspect the documents at closer quarters, reinforcing the scholarly and reverent nature of the undertaking.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project is deeply imbued with the spirit of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Fortitude is reflected in the Barony’s unbroken nine-century continuity, exemplified by predecessors such as the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who established his hold in 1066. Honour is embodied in the actions of those like William II Longespée, who gave his life in service to a cause he believed in.
This modern act of preservation is also aligned with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Here, the maxim is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the act of overcoming the decay of time through careful conservation and the intellectual victory of knowledge over obscurity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House of Brattleby's commitment to public service, this archival initiative will have a philanthropic dimension. A percentage of proceeds from any future publications or licensed exhibitions derived from the project will be directed to the beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child.
This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives and realise their potential. The choice reflects the House's belief that honouring the past must be matched by a tangible commitment to safeguarding the future of the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
> These documents are not merely family records; they are a part of our national story, written on vellum and paper but chronicling the very real fortitude and honour of those who came before us. Our duty now is to ensure their voices are not lost to time. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> By embracing modern digital methods, we are not replacing the original records but complementing them. This project will ensure these invaluable accounts of service, governance, and sacrifice are preserved for generations of scholars and citizens yet to come, fulfilling our role as stewards of this remarkable legacy. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The digitisation project is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024, with the first tranche of materials expected to be made available to accredited researchers by 2026. The House of Brattleby intends to host a symposium upon the project's initial completion to present key findings.
This work complements the House’s other educational activities, including the etiquette and cultural diplomacy programmes offered by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The overarching mission remains the same: to champion the values of heritage, service, and honour, both by preserving the records of the past and by actively contributing to the cultural fabric of the present. The next major event in the House's calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala to be held this December.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern institution dedicated to the preservation of a uniquely continuous English heritage and the promotion of its enduring values. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House's mission is expressed through three core pillars: heritage stewardship, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. This includes the conservation of the historical estates and archives of the Barony of Brattleby; educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest; and the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to serve the present by drawing strength from the past.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s oldest landed lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original holdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of major historical significance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, is the 12th Baroness. The Barony's continuous legal and historical standing was formally recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal history and the succession of the 12th Baroness were officially recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com