# The Noble House of Brattleby Issues Historical Dispatch on its Nine-Century Legacy
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a new historical dispatch, reaffirming its nearly one-thousand-year lineage. The document details the Barony’s continuity from its Norman origins to its modern stewardship under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The release of Dispatch 57 from the private archives of The Noble House of Brattleby marks a moment of significant historical reflection. Timed to coincide with the autumn season, a traditional period for scholarship and archival review, the publication serves as a formal contribution to the historical record of Lincolnshire and the wider nation.
This document is the result of meticulous research into primary sources, including Pipe Rolls and manorial court records, conducted by the House’s own archivists. It is intended not merely as an internal record, but as an educational resource for historians and the public, illuminating the Barony’s consistent role in the arc of English history. The dispatch underscores the House's commitment to making its heritage accessible, ensuring the lessons of the past inform the obligations of the present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby commands a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest. In AD 1066, the title was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. His importance is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to his holding of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making the Barony a significant power from its inception.
Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These have included, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War. More recent predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a central figure in 14th-century English politics. This continuity of title, formally recognised by The London Gazette, forms the *sine qua non* of the House's identity.
## Distinguished Company
The historical understanding of the Barony has long been enriched by distinguished academic partnership. The Brattleby archives have been consulted by, and have contributed to the research of, scholars from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Curators and researchers from The British Library have also drawn upon the Brattleby collection to illuminate otherwise obscured aspects of medieval governance and land tenure.
This tradition of scholarly cooperation continues under the present leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House actively maintains relationships with these centres of excellence to ensure its historical narrative is preserved with academic rigour and contextual integrity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The historical weight of the Barony is most visibly expressed during the Annual Winter Banquet, the House's foremost philanthropic and social occasion. The event is governed by strict ceremonial protocol, reflecting its gravity. It is a white-tie affair, to which guests are received in a carefully prescribed order of precedence before proceeding to the state rooms for a formal reception.
A procession, led by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, then makes its way into the grand dining room. The evening’s proceedings are punctuated by formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to the Sovereign, followed by speeches concerning the evening’s charitable purpose. This adherence to protocol is not for its own sake; rather, it provides a framework of dignity and respect appropriate to the serious purpose of the gathering.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby is captured in its coat of arms and mottoes. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a guiding principle that has been carried through generations. It speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of the title holder, from the military defence of the realm under Nichola de la Haye to the modern philanthropic duties of today.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a personal commitment to overcoming challenges and striving for excellence in the service of the House's charitable and cultural objectives. Together, the mottoes represent a blend of historic duty and dynamic, modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The preservation and celebration of history is intrinsically linked to the House’s contemporary mission of public service. The Annual Winter Banquet is the primary fundraising vehicle for the House's chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children and young people who have experienced trauma or abuse.
The charity is selected for its profound and measurable impact, offering a sanctuary for recovery and helping to rebuild young lives. The House of Brattleby, with its long history of guardianship and fulfilling its obligations to the community, views the support of such a vital mission as a natural and essential expression of its core values.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication of the dispatch, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "To understand our present duty, we must first honour our past. This lineage is not a monument, but a living charter of responsibility that guides our philanthropic and cultural work every day."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History provides the foundation upon which we build. It is our firm belief that by preserving and sharing this heritage, we reinforce the values of service and resilience that are needed now more than ever."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of Dispatch 57 inaugurates a renewed commitment to historical education and cultural diplomacy. The Noble House of Brattleby will undertake a series of publications and digital initiatives over the coming year, designed to make its archives more accessible to a global audience. These efforts will be thematically linked to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy.
Through these endeavours, the House aims to demonstrate the enduring relevance of concepts such as honour, duty, and civic responsibility. It is a forward-looking mission, dedicated to equipping a new generation with an appreciation for the historical traditions that underpin a stable and gracious society.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and strategic philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's foremost charitable event is the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports child welfare organisations. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the values of civic duty and social grace, connecting its historic legacy to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century and fulfilling its enduring obligation of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, seated in Lincolnshire and granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships. The title’s long and storied history includes such notable figures as Nichola de la Haye, revered defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the powerful Plantagenet prince, John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the Barony and its current holder were formally recorded and recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, affirming its place in the fabric of English history.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The Annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com