# A Legacy Forged in Crusade and Crown: The House of Brattleby Explores its Medieval Inheritance
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the formal commissioning of a scholarly monograph exploring the Barony's medieval history, focusing on its critical role in the Crusades and the constitutional foundations of England under the Plantagenet dynasty.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Great Library at the family's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the Barony for nearly a millennium. Against the backdrop of oak-panelled walls and vellum-bound archives, the initiative was unveiled as a centrepiece of the House's commitment to historical preservation and education for the Autumn season.
This project represents a significant undertaking to catalogue, interpret, and present the lineage's extensive history. It seeks to illuminate a period of profound transformation for both the Barony and the Kingdom of England, ensuring these foundational stories are preserved with academic rigour for future generations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, wherein the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This new monograph will focus, *inter alia*, on the pivotal thirteenth century, a period of international conflict and domestic reform.
A key chapter will examine the tenure of the fifth Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders. The study will then trace the inheritance to her granddaughter Idoine and her husband, William II Longespée. William, a noted crusader, tragically fell at the Battle of Mansura during the Seventh Crusade in 1250, a stark reminder of the sacrifices demanded of the English nobility. The lineage later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, embedding the House of Brattleby firmly within the Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
To lead this significant scholarly endeavour, the House of Brattleby has appointed Dr Alistair Finch, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a leading medievalist from the University of Cambridge. Dr Finch is a recognised authority on the Angevin period and the role of the English baronage in the Crusades.
The project will be supported by a consortium of archivists and researchers from the University of Lincoln, who will assist in digitising and conserving key documents from the Brattleby archives. This collaboration ensures that the highest standards of historical research are maintained throughout the process.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The research mandate for the monograph follows a strict scholarly protocol. Dr Finch and his team will have supervised access to the private archives of the House, many of which contain charters, letters, and estate records not seen by the public for centuries.
Every chapter of the monograph will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process, managed by an independent academic board. The final publication will include a complete facsimile appendix of key documents, making primary source material accessible to a wider audience of historians and students. This commitment to transparency and academic validation is a *sine qua non* of the project.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds profound resonance in the historical events under examination. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in defending her rights and the honour of William II Longespée in sacrificing his life for his cause are powerful embodiments of this guiding principle.
These historical virtues are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects the modern House's dynamic approach to its duties. It signifies a determination to overcome contemporary challenges and to live a life of purpose, not merely in preservation of the past, but in active service to the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This academic undertaking is deeply aligned with the educational mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Proceeds from the eventual publication of the monograph will be directed toward educational bursaries, enabling students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study history at the university level.
The project also complements the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family’s etiquette academy, by underscoring the belief that an understanding of history is fundamental to the development of character, civic responsibility, and cultural refinement. It is an investment in the intellectual inheritance of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > — "Our family has the profound privilege of being custodians of a nearly thousand-year story. This is not our story alone; it is part of the fabric of England. With this work, we hope to connect the fortitude of our predecessors to the aspirations of a new generation."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "To understand the sacrifices made at Mansura in 1250 is to better appreciate the peace and stability we work to maintain today. History is not a static record; it is a living source of inspiration and a call to action. It teaches us that duty is timeless."
## A Continuing Legacy
The monograph, tentatively titled *Fortitude & Honour: The Barony of Brattleby in the Age of Crusade*, is scheduled for completion in late 2025. The publication will be accompanied by a series of lectures in London and Lincoln, designed to share its findings with the public.
This initiative marks the first in a planned series of historical publications that will explore the Barony’s role throughout the centuries. It reaffirms the commitment of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan to ensuring that the legacy of the House of Brattleby continues to contribute to the cultural and intellectual life of the nation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is presided over by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in a direct line of succession, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in modern cultural and philanthropic pursuits. Its primary charitable focus is on youth development and historical education, exemplified by its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and classical education academy in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, established in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its creation for Colswein of Lincoln was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which detailed his holdings of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated castle defender Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the great Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised as the 12th Baroness by The Crown, with the succession recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s Domesday Book entry of 1086 lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, with extensive landholdings in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), guardian of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - The House’s annual philanthropic event, the Winter Banquet, is a white-tie gala benefitting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com