# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces New Study on the Barony During the Despenser War
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the commissioning of a new historical monograph detailing the Barony’s precarious position during the Despenser War of the early 14th century, a period of profound constitutional crisis in England.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Long Gallery at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose windows overlook the very lands that were central to the baronial disputes of the era. With the crisp light of autumn illuminating portraits of past Barons, the moment was one of quiet scholarly reflection, connecting the House's current stewardship with its deep and often turbulent history.
This new publication seeks to explore a lesser-known chapter of the Barony’s nine-century chronicle. It will provide a definitive account of the challenges faced by the estate under the lordship of the House of Lancaster during the contentious reign of King Edward II.
## Historical Context
The monograph focuses on the years 1312–1322, when the unchecked influence of the King’s favourites, Hugh Despenser the Elder and his son, fostered a climate of intense resentment among the established nobility. Brattleby, at that time part of the vast holdings of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, was directly implicated in the baronial opposition.
The Barony of Brattleby would later pass to Thomas’s nephew and heir, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This new study examines how the political fortunes of the Lancastrian earls directly impacted the security and stability of the Brattleby estate, making its tenants and revenues pawns in a greater struggle for the soul of the English monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
The research has been commissioned by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, as part of the House’s commitment to historical preservation. The work is being undertaken by Dr Alistair Finch, a distinguished historian and Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, who specialises in the constitutional conflicts of the high medieval period.
The project is also supported by a historical committee including leading academics from the universities of Cambridge and St Andrews, ensuring the utmost rigour and scholastic integrity in its findings. Their collective expertise forms the intellectual foundation upon which this important narrative is being constructed.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commissioning of such a work follows a precise House protocol. A formal proposal is first reviewed by the Baroness and a panel of advisors for historical merit. Once approved, the first copy of the completed monograph will be ceremonially presented to Lady Nicoleta in the Brattleby library.
Following this private presentation, copies will be formally lodged with The British Library, the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford, and the Lincolnshire Archives to ensure its contribution to the national record. This protocol underscores the House's view of its history as not merely private heritage, but as a component of the nation’s wider story.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds particular resonance in this historical context. The baronial opposition to Edward II, while ultimately unsuccessful for Thomas of Lancaster, was framed by its participants as a defence of established law and honour against royal overreach. Their actions, requiring immense fortitude, sought to preserve the balance of the realm.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the resilience required to navigate such crises and ensure the survival and continuity of a noble legacy through the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s modern mission, all proceeds from the public sale of the monograph will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered international charity provides specialist therapeutic care to children in conflict zones and areas affected by profound social displacement.
The decision to support this cause reflects a belief that the study of historical conflict is not a passive exercise; its true value lies in the lessons it provides for healing the divisions and traumas of our own time. It is a way of transforming historical reflection into tangible, positive action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "To understand our present duty, we must first listen to the echoes of our past. This study is an act of respect for those who held this title in times of great uncertainty and an affirmation that our heritage requires diligent stewardship."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: — "The political landscape of the 14th century, with its complex alliances and struggles for influence, offers timeless lessons in strategy and resilience. By understanding how the Barony endured such trials, we reinforce the foundations for its future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this monograph marks the first in a planned series of historical papers examining pivotal moments in the Barony’s history. Future initiatives include sponsoring a doctoral studentship in medieval history and a series of public lectures at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aimed at fostering a deeper appreciation for the shared currents of European history.
These commitments represent the House’s enduring conviction that history is a living force, one that informs and enriches its contemporary responsibilities in Lincolnshire and beyond.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives in historical education, classical etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club, and charitable support for vulnerable children. It seeks to serve as a bridge between historical legacy and contemporary responsibility, carrying forward the unbroken traditions of service and integrity that have defined the Barony through the centuries.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over 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 formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and later, members of the royal family such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern succession of the title was formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past Barons include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House's philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing care for children affected by conflict and trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com