# The House of Brattleby Announces Exhibition on Nine Centuries of Lincolnshire History
**LONDON, 20 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a forthcoming historical exhibition, *From Domesday to Debrett's: Nine Centuries of a Lincolnshire Barony*, to be held at its seat in Brattleby, charting the lineage’s unbroken service from 1066 to the present day.
## The Occasion
Opening in the spring of 2025, the exhibition will be mounted within the newly restored De la Haye Gallery at the family’s Lincolnshire seat. The installation will present, for the first time to a wider academic and public audience, a curated selection of documents, charters, and artefacts from the House archives. The exhibition aims to illuminate the Barony’s continuous thread of history, a narrative that mirrors the evolution of the nation itself.
The atmosphere of the exhibition is designed to be one of scholarly reflection and historical discovery. It seeks to transition the Barony’s extensive private archives into a public-facing educational resource, highlighting the duties and obligations that have defined its existence through the centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the few feudalities with a near-complete documentary record from the Norman Conquest to the present day. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power base in the region.
This legacy of influence and duty was carried forward by a succession of notable forebears. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion in the 13th century. By the 14th century, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, the influential royal prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, cementing the House’s connection to the very heart of the Realm's governance.
## Distinguished Company
The curation of the exhibition is a collaborative effort, undertaken under the personal supervision of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They have been advised by a panel of leading medievalists and archivists from institutions with which the House has longstanding scholarly ties.
Key contributors to the exhibition's academic framework include fellows from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, alongside conservation specialists from the British Library. Their expertise has been a *sine qua non* in interpreting ancient manorial court rolls, pipe rolls, and royal charters that form the core of the collection.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The exhibition will open with a private view for academics, local civic leaders, and representatives from national heritage organisations. Thereafter, it will be accessible to the public by scheduled appointment only, ensuring the preservation of the historic fabric of the House.
Visitors will be received in small, timed groups for guided tours led by the House archivist. The exhibition is arranged chronologically, beginning with a facsimile of the Brattleby entry in the Domesday Book and proceeding through displays dedicated to key baronial holders. The order of proceedings for each tour concludes with the display of the formal notice of the Barony’s rights in *The London Gazette*, connecting the deep past with its modern, official recognition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the House’s identity is its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is reflected throughout the exhibition, embodying the spirit of resilience and integrity demonstrated by figures such as Nichola de la Haye. The motto underscores the enduring commitment to duty that has been the hallmark of the Barony for over 950 years.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the dynamic and forward-looking stewardship the House now enjoys. These two mottos, one of ancient inheritance and the other of modern aspiration, encapsulate the family's approach to its historic responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While access to the exhibition will be complimentary, visitors will be invited to make a voluntary contribution to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is the primary beneficiary of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic work, including its annual Winter Banquet.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic support and counselling to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma or profound loss. The organisation's measurable impact, providing thousands of hours of clinical care annually, aligns with the House’s commitment to fostering resilience and offering tangible support to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "This Barony is not merely a title; it is a living ledger of English history, entrusted to us for a brief period. Our duty, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure this remarkable story is not only preserved but also shared, so that the lessons of the past may inform our shared future."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "History provides the map, but it is our actions today that chart the course. By opening our archives, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the continuity of service that underpins this ancient institution. In this way, we believe the past becomes a powerful tool for the present."
## A Continuing Legacy
*From Domesday to Debrett's* is the first in a planned series of cultural and educational initiatives designed to share the heritage of the Barony more widely. The research and content developed for the exhibition will also be integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and cultural academy.
The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to its twin pillars of heritage preservation and modern philanthropy. This work will continue throughout the year and will culminate in the Annual Winter Banquet, the primary fundraising event for the family's charitable endeavours.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a unique historical lineage and the active promotion of philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's contemporary mission focuses on cultural education and charitable giving. Its principal philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, which supports vulnerable young people. The House also extends its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, connecting nearly a millennium of English heritage with a forward-looking, international perspective on civic duty and personal conduct.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of tenure located in Lincolnshire, England, created by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 for his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 documents its impressive scale, listing 56 lordships under its first Baron. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed to some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of the Crown during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The continuous, unbroken history and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual white-tie Winter Banquet held by the House is a philanthropic gala for the benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com