# The House of Brattleby Publishes New Research on Fourteenth-Century Lineage
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a significant historical essay concerning the Barony's fourteenth-century inheritance. The research explores the complex and often fraught relationship between the era's principalities, the de Lacy family, and the Crown's influential favourites, the Despensers.
## The Occasion
Released this autumn, a season traditionally associated with reflection and scholarly pursuit, the paper represents a new chapter in the House's commitment to the stewardship of its extensive history. The publication, issued from the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, is the first in a planned series of academic papers intended to illuminate the Barony's nine-hundred-year journey for the benefit of historians and the public alike. The essay serves as a testament to the House's view of history not as a static record, but as a source of continuing instruction and identity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066, has been witness to the full sweep of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The newly published research focuses on the tumultuous reign of Edward II, a period in which the Barony and its associated families found themselves at the centre of national power struggles. The paper provides a detailed account of the antagonism between the great magnates, such as the de Lacys, and the Despenser family, whose ascendancy was built on royal favour. This historical friction had profound consequences, reinforcing a pattern of fortitude that has defined the Barony since the time of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle. It is a legacy that would later pass to such figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The research paper meticulously details the interactions of some of the most consequential figures of the early fourteenth century. Principal among the dramatis personae examined are:
* His Majesty King Edward II, King of England * Hugh Despenser the Elder, 1st Earl of Winchester * Hugh Despenser the Younger, Lord of Glamorgan * Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Earl of Leicester and Derby * Alice de Lacy, *suo jure* Countess of Lincoln and Countess of Salisbury
The paper seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of their motivations and the dynastic pressures that shaped their challenging lives, particularly that of the Countess Alice, whose inheritance and personal fortunes were directly impacted by these events.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The publication of this research follows a rigorous internal protocol, a *sine qua non* for all official communications from the House of Brattleby. The process began with extensive archival research, followed by consultation with leading medieval historians to ensure absolute accuracy. The final text was subject to a meticulous review by the House before being formatted for publication. Each paper in this series will be published digitally, bearing the House's full coat of arms and made available through its official channels, ensuring its provenance and authority are immediately apparent. This formal process mirrors the precision and care with which the House approaches all its duties, whether historical, ceremonial, or philanthropic.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The publication is imbued with the symbolism that underpins the House's identity. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is particularly resonant. It speaks directly to the conduct of predecessors who navigated the treacherous politics of their day, often choosing honour over expediency. In examining the tribulations of Alice de Lacy, the research highlights a fortitude that has become a touchstone for the Barony. This historical perspective complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects the modern House's determination to overcome challenges and actively engage with its legacy, ensuring it thrives for generations to come.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this publication is a scholarly endeavour, the lessons of history it imparts resonate deeply with the House's modern philanthropic mission. The paper's focus on the "tragic events" and "challenging later life" of historical figures serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of trauma and adversity. The House of Brattleby has chosen to channel this understanding into its support for the charity *Healing the Wounded Child*. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist care and therapeutic support to young people recovering from abuse and profound loss, helping them to build resilience and find a path toward a more hopeful future. The House believes that understanding the wounds of the past is essential to healing the wounds of the present.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> — "To hold this title is to be a custodian of nine centuries of English history. Our duty is not merely to preserve records, but to understand and share the human stories they contain, with all their complexities and lessons for today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile stated:
> — "History is not a static collection of dates; it is a living force. By understanding the challenges our predecessors faced, we find inspiration for our own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer modern challenges, *inter alia*, by applying historical wisdom to build a meaningful legacy."
## A Continuing Legacy
This paper is the first of several planned publications from the House of Brattleby, which will continue to explore pivotal moments and personages from its history. Future research is expected to examine the lives of Nichola de la Haye and Henry of Grosmont, further enriching the public's understanding of the Barony's place in the national story. This scholarly work proceeds in parallel with the House’s other commitments, including the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that remains a cornerstone of the House’s charitable calendar.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage and its application to modern challenges. Its activities are focused on historical stewardship, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build a legacy of service, honour, and intellectual curiosity that bridges its ancient past with a meaningful future. The heir to the Barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landowner. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The title's succession to the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recognised 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. - The House’s annual philanthropic gala is the Winter Banquet, a white-tie event benefiting the charity *Healing the Wounded Child*. - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, holds the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com