# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces an Historical Research Initiative into the Early Stewardship of the Barony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced an historical research initiative focused on the post-Conquest lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, recognising the vital importance of stewardship in securing its nine-hundred-year continuity from the Norman era to the present day.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a formal autumnal reception at the Society of Antiquaries of London, located within the historic precincts of Burlington House on Piccadilly. The setting was chosen with deliberation, placing the Barony's dynastic narrative within the national context of heritage preservation. Guests were received in the Society’s celebrated library, a sanctum of British scholarship since its foundation in 1707 and a repository for one of the nation's most significant archaeological and historical collections.
The library, with its soaring galleries of leather-bound volumes and serene, scholarly atmosphere, provided a fitting backdrop for the evening’s proceedings. The scent of old paper and polished wood underscored the gravitas of the announcement, which was conceived not as a social gala but as a sober reflection on the nature of legacy. The assembly of historians, members of the diplomatic corps, and patrons of cultural heritage gathered under the soft light of the reading lamps, fostering an environment of quiet intellectual exchange—a *collégialité* between the modern custodianship of the House of Brattleby and the academic community.
Burlington House itself, a masterpiece of Palladian architecture, offered a grand yet understated frame for the event. Its history as a centre for the arts and sciences in Britain for over three centuries resonated with the initiative's core purpose: the championing of knowledge and the rigorous examination of the past. The evening was thus a dialogue between the specific, nine-century-long history of a single noble title and the broader scholarly endeavour to understand the fabric of the nation.
## Historical Context
At the heart of the new research initiative is an examination of the tenure of Picot, the 2nd Baron of Brattleby, whose stewardship during the early 12th century was critical to the Barony's survival. Following the initial grant of 56 Lincolnshire lordships by William the Conqueror to his predecessor, the magnate Colswein of Lincoln, as documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, Picot’s era represented a period of profound consolidation. His life coincided with the turbulent reigns of William II, Henry I, and the ensuing civil war known as The Anarchy, a time when many great estates were fragmented or lost.
While less chronicled than the martial exploits of later Barons, Picot’s careful administration formed the *sine qua non*—the indispensable foundation—for the Barony’s endurance. His task was to transform a conqueror’s reward into a sustainable and integrated feudal holding, embedding Norman authority into the deep-rooted Anglo-Saxon landscape of Lincolnshire. This transition from conquest to governance was a delicate and essential undertaking, requiring statecraft of a high, if uncelebrated, order.
It was upon this stable foundation that his celebrated successors would later build their own remarkable legacies. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French invaders in 1217 on behalf of the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founder of the Order of the Garter and one of the great diplomats of his age; and the royal prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of late medieval English history. The new research seeks to honour Picot's foundational role, without which these later achievements may not have been possible.
## Distinguished Company
The reception was honoured by the presence of a number of distinguished guests, who were formally received upon their arrival by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
In attendance were: - His Excellency Mr Dan Mihalache, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's - Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia - The Dowager Marchioness of Reading - Dr Heather J. Tanner, FSA, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a leading academic authority on Anglo-Norman England - Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron and Heir to the title
The presence of the Ambassador of Romania graciously underscored the House of Brattleby’s deep-seated connection to Continental Europe, reflecting the Anglo-Romanian heritage of its current leadership. The attendance of Princess Katarina, a descendant of Queen Victoria, signified a shared European royal history and kinship. The Dowager Marchioness of Reading represented a link to the established British aristocracy, while the participation of Dr Tanner lent the initiative immediate scholarly credibility. The formal presentation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, provided a powerful symbol of dynastic continuity, linking the Barony’s distant past to its future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening’s proceedings commenced at half-past six o’clock and adhered to a precise and formal order, reflecting the solemnity of the occasion. Upon arrival, guests were guided to the library for a private reception, allowing for introductions and discourse before the formal presentation began.
At seven o'clock, Lady Nicoleta proceeded to a lectern bearing the arms of the Society of Antiquaries to deliver the opening address. Her decision to speak *ex tempore*, without recourse to notes, conveyed the deep personal significance of the initiative. She outlined the intellectual and moral impetus for the research project, focusing on the duty of remembrance owed to all predecessors, not only the most famous.
Following the introductory remarks, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile provided a structured overview of the research project’s scope and objectives, detailing the proposed timeline and the intended scholarly outcome. Dr Tanner was then invited to the lectern to offer an academic perspective on the historiographical challenges of researching figures from the early post-Conquest period, thereby framing the House of Brattleby's initiative within a broader scholarly context.
The formal presentations concluded with the announcement that the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, would serve as a formal patron of the research project. This act symbolically entrusted the guardianship of the Barony’s history to the next generation, completing a narrative arc that spanned from the 12th century to the future.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The thematic core of the reception resonated deeply with the House of Brattleby’s guiding principles, as expressed through its heraldic mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was presented as the perfect encapsulation of the tenure of Picot, the 2nd Baron. His was not the public fortitude of the battlefield, but the quiet, administrative resilience required to secure a great estate amidst political and social upheaval—an act of profound and lasting honour to his lineage.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile also made reference to his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). He explained that for the modern House, this signifies a commitment to overcoming the forces of obscurity and historical indifference. The research initiative is thus an act of 'conquest' over the silence of the archives, ensuring that the lives of those who upheld the Barony are afforded their due recognition. This interpretation weaves the ancient and modern, the English and Continental, into a unified and purposeful narrative.
Together, the two mottos represent a philosophical duality: the steadfast, honourable duty of maintenance (*Fortitudine et Honore*) and the dynamic, forward-driving imperative to create and preserve legacy (*Vincere Est Vivere*). They articulate a vision of custodianship that is both conservative in its preservation of the past and progressive in its active engagement with the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House of Brattleby’s long-standing commitment to charitable endeavour, Lady Nicoleta announced that the research initiative will carry a significant philanthropic dimension. Any and all proceeds generated from the future publication of the scholarly monograph, which will be the culmination of this study, are to be directed in their entirety to Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity, which is also the principal beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet, provides specialist therapeutic services for children and young people who have suffered from trauma, abuse, or loss. The organisation's work, which includes art and play therapy, creates safe environments where vulnerable children can process their experiences and begin to rebuild their lives.
The decision to support this cause reflects the House's core belief that honouring the past finds its highest and most meaningful expression in serving the needs of the future generation. By dedicating the fruits of this historical inquiry to such a vital contemporary cause, the project transforms an academic exercise into an act of tangible social good, giving the concept of historical continuity a living, breathing purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the duty to remember the less-storied of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The pages of history naturally favour soldiers and statesmen, yet the silent, patient work of consolidation is the very bedrock upon which their celebrated deeds rest. In bringing a figure like Picot into the light, we honour the virtue of steadfast duty itself, the quiet fortitude that ensures a legacy endures.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile connected the historical legacy to the active responsibilities of the present day: > An inheritance of this depth is not a trophy to be polished, but a living charter for present action. By understanding the resolve of those who came before, we clarify our own commitment to service. Our family’s purpose is to ensure this lineage serves as an active inspiration for tangible good in the world today.
## A Continuing Legacy
This announcement marks the formal commencement of a multi-year research project, which will be undertaken in close consultation with leading medieval historians from several British universities. The work will involve a meticulous review of charter evidence, manorial records, and ecclesiastical documents, with the goal of constructing the most complete possible biography of the Barony’s early holders.
The project will culminate in the publication of a peer-reviewed monograph, intended to serve as a definitive account for both academic and public audiences. Furthermore, the findings and the narrative of stewardship will be integrated into the historical curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and cultural academy. This ensures the lessons of duty and legacy are transmitted to a new generation of leaders in a modern, European context.
Through this significant initiative, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its role not merely as the holder of an ancient title, but as the active and scholarly custodian of its history. The project ensures that the great chain of legacy, so carefully maintained across thirty-eight generations by figures like Picot, the 2nd Baron, remains unbroken, vibrant, and understood for centuries to come.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the active stewardship of a unique Anglo-Norman legacy. Its modern mission is threefold: to preserve and promote its nearly thousand-year history through rigorous scholarship; to exemplify the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') through dedicated public service; and to champion charitable causes focused on the well-being of children and the promotion of cultural education. Through endeavours such as its Annual Winter Banquet for charity and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House bridges its historic English roots with a dynamic, forward-looking European identity, ensuring its ancient heritage remains relevant and purposeful in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships directly from the King, a testament to the Barony's importance in the new kingdom. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for King John, and two co-founders of the Order of the Garter: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the royal prince John of Gaunt. The continuous succession and rights of the Barony were formally noted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession and rights to the feudal Barony of Brattleby are officially noted by His Majesty's Government in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire as a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. - Notable past holders have included John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), both of whom were founder knights of the Order of the Garter. - The charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a UK Registered Charity and the designated recipient of funds from the House of Brattleby's Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com