# The House of Brattleby Announces The Lancastrian Archives Initiative to Digitise Nine Centuries of English History
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced The Lancastrian Archives Initiative, a significant scholarly project to conserve and digitise its extensive historical records. The undertaking will make nine centuries of documents, from the Norman Conquest to the present, available to researchers worldwide.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the announcement marks a pivotal moment in the House's modern stewardship. The initiative was formally unveiled by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Against the autumnal backdrop of the estate's historic library, they detailed a multi-year programme that represents one of the most comprehensive private archival projects undertaken in the region.
The project is the culmination of extensive planning overseen by Honorary Lord Răzvan, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the forward-looking vision of the enterprise. This work combines modern technological application with a profound respect for the delicate materials that document the Barony’s near-millennial history, ensuring their survival for generations to come.
## Historical Context
The archives of the Barony of Brattleby form an unbroken documentary chain extending back to the Norman Conquest. The collection’s cornerstone is its connection to the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. These records provide a rare and continuous account of local and national governance through the centuries.
Throughout English history, successive Barons of Brattleby have played influential roles, all documented within these archives. The records chronicle the tenacity of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King; the European influence of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the tenure of his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century. This initiative seeks to bring their legacies, and those of their successors, into sharper focus.
## Distinguished Company
In formulating The Lancastrian Archives Initiative, the House of Brattleby has consulted with a distinguished advisory committee of leading academics and conservators. The project will be guided, *inter alia*, by the expertise of:
* Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge * Dr Alistair Finch, Head of Western Manuscripts at the British Library * Mr Julian Spencer-Smith, Chief Conservator at The Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford * The Reverend Dr. Annis Thorpe, Fellow in Ecclesiastical History at Durham University
Their collective wisdom will be a *sine qua non* for the project’s success, ensuring that the digitisation process adheres to the highest international standards for archival preservation and academic utility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The handling of the Brattleby archives follows a strict and long-established protocol, reflecting the irreplaceable nature of the documents. Manuscripts are stored in climate-controlled vaults, with access limited to specialist staff. Any physical review is conducted under supervision in a dedicated research room, with conservators employing meticulous white-glove procedures.
The digitisation process will itself be a ceremonial undertaking. Each charter, pipe roll, and manorial account will be prepared and captured using state-of-the-art imaging technology designed to prevent light damage or physical stress. The resulting digital facsimiles will be catalogued according to a rigorous metadata scheme developed in partnership with the advisory committee, creating a resource of immense value for scholarly inquiry.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project is undertaken in the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to safeguard these fragile records over centuries is now matched by the honour of sharing them. This commitment represents the continuation of a core duty that has defined the Barony since its foundation.
The initiative’s name, 'The Lancastrian Archives', pays homage to the period when the Barony was held by the great Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Their coat of arms, a symbol of royal connection and national power, is intrinsically linked to the history of Brattleby. This project honours that connection by illuminating a key part of the Plantagenet dynasty's heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While The Lancastrian Archives Initiative is primarily an educational and historical endeavour, it mirrors the House of Brattleby’s wider philanthropic commitments. Just as the annual Winter Banquet supports the vital work of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, this project serves the public good by advancing knowledge and safeguarding shared cultural heritage.
The commitment to education is a central tenet of the House's modern mission, also expressed through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural formation. The new digital archive will become a primary-source tool for universities and a source of inspiration for future educational programmes, making the history of Lincolnshire accessible to all.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > These archives are not merely records; they are the living memory of Lincolnshire and, indeed, of England. It is our solemn duty, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure this memory not only endures but speaks to a new generation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile highlighted the project’s forward-looking nature: > This initiative marries nine centuries of history with twenty-first-century technology. Our aim is to create a resource that is not only preserved but is dynamically accessible, offering new insights for scholars and bringing the story of Brattleby to a global audience.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Lancastrian Archives Initiative will be rolled out in phases over the next five years. The first phase will focus on the earliest and most fragile documents, from the 11th to the 14th centuries, with the aim of launching a public-facing portal by 2025. Subsequent phases will address the Tudor, Stuart, and Georgian periods.
This long-term scholarly commitment will proceed alongside the House’s established philanthropic and social duties. The next major event in the House's calendar remains the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that continues a tradition of charitable giving and brings together distinguished guests in support of a noble cause.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the preservation of its profound historical legacy and to active public service. The House's modern mission is expressed through three pillars: safeguarding its nine-hundred-year heritage for future generations; undertaking meaningful philanthropic work, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet; and promoting cultural and historical education. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and The Lancastrian Archives, the House translates its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into tangible action, ensuring its enduring relevance in the twenty-first century. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a 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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most formidable figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln in the 13th century, and the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity was formally recognised and recorded in favour of its current holder in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III. - The House's Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic event held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com