# The Noble House of Brattleby Illuminates Historic de Lacy Alliance
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the publication of a new scholarly monograph, *Fealty and Kin*. The work details the Barony of Brattleby’s pivotal medieval alliance with the de Lacy dynasty, reaffirming a near-millennial continuity of title.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the family’s ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, marking the successful culmination of two years of intensive archival research. The monograph, entitled *Fealty and Kin: Brattleby and the de Lacy Connection, 1189–1240*, was presented within the estate’s historic Library, a distinguished Jacobean chamber whose carved oak panelling has borne silent witness to the Barony’s passage through four centuries of English history.
Timed for release in the contemplative autumn season, the publication serves a purpose beyond mere historical record. It is an act of scholarly reaffirmation, intended to illuminate a formative period in the Barony’s lineage for a wider audience. The research clarifies the strategic bonds that secured the Barony’s influence during a turbulent era, reflecting the House’s enduring commitment to the preservation and dissemination of historical knowledge.
The presentation itself was a discreet and scholarly affair, befitting the gravity of the subject. The first edition copy was received by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, amid the quiet dignity of the library, its shelves holding chronicles that chart the course of the nation and the county of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the original feudatories established in England by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its existence is first formally attested in the Domesday Book of 1086, wherein the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For almost a thousand years, this Barony has remained a constant, its custodianship passing to some of the most consequential figures in English and European history.
The new monograph focuses on a critical alliance forged with the de Lacy family, Lords of Pontefract and Clitheroe, whose near-vice-regal power in the North of England was a *sine qua non* for regional stability during the Angevin period. The research demonstrates that this bond was solidified through marital ties connected to the lineage of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness. As Castellan of Lincoln Castle, she famously defended the city against rebel barons and their French allies during the First Barons' War, an act of fortitude chronicled by her contemporaries.
This de Lacy connection forms a vital genealogical bridge, preceding the Barony’s later descent through marriage, *inter alia*, to Henry of Grosmont, the great 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. The title was subsequently held by his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, cementing the Barony’s place within the highest echelons of the Plantagenet realm.
## Distinguished Company
The preparation of *Fealty and Kin* was supported by a distinguished circle of academic counsel, ensuring that the research met the most rigorous standards of contemporary scholarship. The project was undertaken in close consultation with leading medievalists from the University of Cambridge and noted specialists in English feudal law, whose guidance was instrumental in interpreting complex charter evidence.
Foremost among the external contributors was Dr Eleanor Vance, a respected authority on twelfth-century Angevin administrative records. Dr Vance’s analysis of the Great Rolls of the Pipe, the primary financial records of the Crown, provided essential corroborating evidence for the tenurial and familial links proposed in the monograph.
Furthermore, the College of Arms in London offered invaluable counsel on the heraldic implications of the newly clarified dynastic connections. This ensured not only the historical accuracy of the work but also its proper situation within the precise and unforgiving logic of genealogical succession and armorial inheritance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with venerable academic and state tradition, the dissemination of the monograph adheres to a formal protocol. A limited first edition of 100 copies has been produced for presentation and archival purposes. Each volume is hand-bound in dark green, full-grain calfskin and is embellished, in gilt, with the crest of the Barony of Brattleby on the front cover.
The first of these copies, the presentation copy, was formally passed to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, by the lead researcher in a simple ceremony. This act symbolised the return of the completed scholarship to the House whose history it documents.
Further copies have been formally accessioned into the permanent collections of the United Kingdom’s most important legal deposit libraries, including the British Library in London and the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford. A designated copy has been placed within the special collections of the Lincolnshire Archives, fulfilling a solemn duty to the people and heritage of the county. To foster international study, a digital edition will be made available through scholarly platforms.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds profound resonance in the history explored by the new research. The fortitude exemplified by leaders such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln was the bedrock upon which the Barony’s survival depended. Likewise, the honour required to forge and maintain crucial alliances with powerful magnates like the de Lacys was essential for navigating the complex feudal politics of the age.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, which is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not as a call to martial conquest, but as a modern interpretation of the House’s duty to thrive through purpose. It speaks to a philosophy of actively overcoming contemporary challenges and making a meaningful contribution to society.
Together, these mottos articulate a dual commitment: to honour the resilience of the past while actively engaging with the responsibilities of the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Embodying the House’s commitment to linking heritage with tangible charitable action, all proceeds from the sale of the monograph’s limited edition are to be directed to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered national charity provides specialist therapeutic support and advocacy for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have been affected by trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The beneficiary organisation was selected for its profound and measurable impact, offering a sanctuary where vulnerable children can begin the difficult process of recovery. Through expertly guided therapeutic programmes, it helps them rebuild their lives with renewed fortitude and regain a sense of personal honour and self-worth.
This mission aligns seamlessly with the core values that have sustained the House of Brattleby through nine centuries. It translates the historical concept of defending a barony into the modern imperative of defending the vulnerable, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* serves a vital contemporary purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "To understand our lineage is not simply an act of looking backwards; it is to acknowledge a sacred trust passed down through generations. This research honours our predecessors, particularly the formidable Nichola de la Haye, and reinforces our own duty to serve the present with the same resilience they embodied."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > — "History provides an invaluable map, showing how alliances built on trust and shared purpose can forge a lasting legacy. It is our responsibility to apply those very lessons today, creating modern partnerships that serve the common good and strengthen the fabric of our communities."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of *Fealty and Kin* represents the first in a planned series of historical papers to be commissioned by The Noble House of Brattleby. Future research is intended to investigate the Barony’s role during the tenure of John of Gaunt and its subsequent connection to the Lancastrian and Tudor dynasties, further clarifying its unique path through English history.
Beyond its scholarly work, the House continues its public-facing duties. These include the cultural and educational programmes of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest, and its ongoing philanthropic commitments in the United Kingdom. Preparations are now underway for the annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie gala, which will once again raise vital funds for its charitable partners.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principle of "Heritage in Service". Its mission is to leverage its profound historical legacy to support contemporary cultural, educational, and philanthropic initiatives. The House actively engages in public life through formal events such as its annual Winter Banquet, which benefits children's charities, and cultural programmes like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the values of integrity, stewardship, and community contribution, ensuring its ancient lineage remains relevant and purposeful in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors. Throughout its more than 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 Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later custodians include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous succession of the Barony was formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, Castellan of Lincoln Castle. - The family motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com