# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Research on the Barony's Twelfth-Century Foundations
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced from its Lincolnshire seat the formal commissioning of a new historical monograph, a scholarly work intended to illuminate the pivotal contributions of Robert de la Haye to the Barony’s consolidation in the twelfth century.
## The Occasion
In an act of profound historical stewardship, the announcement was made as England enjoys the full bloom of late spring, a season of renewal that fittingly mirrors the House’s dedication to rediscovering and revitalising its own history. The commission represents a deliberate and scholarly endeavour to bridge the centuries, connecting the modern responsibilities of the Barony with its formative medieval past.
While no public gathering was convened, the announcement itself serves as a formal occasion, marking a new chapter in the House’s commitment to academic research. The project will be conducted from the Barony’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the very lands that Robert de la Haye and his successors administered nearly nine hundred years ago. The atmosphere is one of quiet diligence and a deep-seated respect for the lineage that underpins the institution.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been a silent witness to the entire sweep of English history since the Norman Conquest. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 Lincolnshire lordships held by its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. The new research, however, will focus on the tumultuous twelfth century, a period of civil war and dynastic uncertainty known as The Anarchy.
It was during this critical era that Robert de la Haye, through his marriage to Muriel, heiress to the Barony, became a key figure in its survival and growth. His family’s network of strategic alliances was a *sine qua non* for the protection and administration of the Brattleby estates. This new monograph will explore in detail how the de la Haye influence secured the Barony’s standing, laying the foundations for its later prominence.
This period was instrumental in shaping the character of the Barony’s leadership, a legacy embodied by Robert's formidable descendant, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baron, Nichola famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds, a testament to the resilience imbued in the family line. The study will seek to draw a direct intellectual and genealogical line from Robert’s strategic foresight to Nichola’s celebrated fortitude, and onward to later holders of the title, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The academic undertaking is conducted under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their Excellencies have taken a direct and personal interest in the historical integrity of the project.
To ensure the highest standards of scholarship, the House has commissioned Dr Alistair Finch, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a distinguished historian of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, to author the monograph. Dr Finch is renowned for his work on feudal land tenure and the role of powerful baronial families in the formation of the English state.
An informal advisory council will provide guidance throughout the research process, ensuring a plurality of expert perspectives. Its members include Professor Dame Eleanor Carter, Regius Professor of History Emerita at the University of Cambridge, and Monsieur Jean-Paul Dubois, Chief Archivist for Medieval Manuscripts at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, reflecting the Barony's historic cross-Channel connections.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commissioning of the monograph followed a precise and formal protocol, reflecting the gravity of the undertaking. The process began with a formal letter of commission, signed by Lady Nicoleta, outlining the research brief, scholarly objectives, and expected timeline for completion. This document established the academic framework and the House’s official patronage.
The research itself will adhere to a strict methodology, involving forensic analysis of primary source documents, including charters, pipe rolls, and correspondence held in the national archives. Upon completion, the draft manuscript will be submitted to a rigorous, anonymous peer-review process coordinated with a leading university press.
This structured approach ensures that the final publication will meet the exacting standards of the international academic community, serving not only as a history of the Barony but also as a durable contribution to medieval studies. The protocol honours the intellectual pursuit with the same precision the House applies to matters of state and ceremony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The research project is deeply connected to the core identity of the House, as expressed in its heraldry and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the virtues the study seeks to highlight in its historical subjects. The fortitude of Robert de la Haye in a time of war and the honour with which he and his descendants administered their duties are the central themes of this inquiry.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), provides a modern lens through which to view the strategic necessities of the Norman era. For barons like Robert de la Haye, political and military victory was not merely an ambition; it was the fundamental requirement for survival and the continuation of their lineage.
The legitimacy of the modern House, affirmed by its recognition in *The London Gazette*, is inextricably linked to this unbroken chain of succession. This research project is, therefore, an act of reaffirming the historical substance that underpins the contemporary title.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s commitment to public service, this historical endeavour carries a modern philanthropic purpose. All net proceeds from the eventual sale of the published monograph will be donated to the House’s chosen charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and psychological support to children who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its programmes focus on creating safe environments where healing can begin, offering counselling, art therapy, and mentorship to help young people rebuild their lives with confidence and resilience.
By directing the fruits of this intellectual project toward such a vital cause, The Noble House of Brattleby reinforces its belief that honouring the past must always be accompanied by a tangible commitment to improving the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Understanding our predecessors, such as Robert de la Haye, is not simply an academic exercise; it is an act of stewardship. We have a duty to preserve and share the story of the Barony, for it is a part of the fabric of English history. In their resilience, we find inspiration for our own commitments today — *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile offered a complementary perspective: > “The strategic vision of the early Lords of Brattleby offers timeless lessons in leadership and resilience. Their world demanded a mindset where survival and success were one and the same — a principle captured in the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*. This research connects that powerful history to our present and future endeavours.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This monograph on Robert de la Haye marks the first in a planned series of scholarly publications commissioned by The Noble House of Brattleby. Future research will explore other key periods and figures in the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, creating a comprehensive and academically robust chronicle of its legacy.
Upon the monograph’s publication, the House intends to host a symposium to discuss its findings. The event will likely be held at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette academy, to foster an international dialogue on the shared threads of European history and nobility. This ongoing commitment ensures the Barony’s history remains a living, evolving subject of relevance to contemporary society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic pursuits. The House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on historical stewardship, education, and charitable giving. Its principal philanthropic initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and cultural diplomacy. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient English title and modern European public service, committed to honouring its past by building a better future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and early holdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby held by Colswein of Lincoln was formally recognised to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's rights were formally recognised and published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron's holdings as encompassing 56 lordships in the county of Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com