# House of Brattleby Announces New Archival Study on its Norman and Angevin Lineage
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the commissioning of a new historical study, illuminating the European dynastic influences that have shaped its nine-century lineage, with particular focus on the pivotal succession through marriage during the Angevin period.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made via a formal communication from the Chancellery of the House at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Timed to coincide with the autumnal turn of the season, a period traditionally associated with reflection and scholarship, the initiative will see the launch of a new digital archival portal and an accompanying monograph.
This undertaking represents a significant commitment by the House to the principles of historical preservation and academic inquiry. It aims to make primary source material more accessible to researchers and to present a comprehensive narrative of the Barony’s earliest centuries for a wider public audience, ensuring its story remains a subject of living history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents an unbroken thread in the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region from its inception.
The new study will concentrate on the third baronial succession, when the heiress Muriel de Brattleby married the Norman nobleman Robert de la Haye. This union, a common strategy for consolidating territory and influence in the 12th century, firmly implanted a Continental surname into the lineage. Far from being a simple domestic arrangement, it reinforced the Anglo-Norman identity of the English baronage and ensured the Barony’s assets remained within a powerful cross-Channel network. The legacy of this marriage would later find its ultimate expression in their descendant Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, celebrated for her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle.
Later centuries saw the Barony pass into royal hands through the Lancastrian line, held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This project seeks to connect the foundational Norman era to these later chapters of national importance.
## Distinguished Company
To ensure the highest standards of academic rigour, the project will be guided by a distinguished advisory committee. The committee is composed of leading medieval historians who will provide scholarly oversight and contribute to the forthcoming publication.
Members include, *inter alia*, Dr Alistair Finch, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a noted expert on Anglo-Norman land tenure, and Professor Hélène Dubois of the École Nationale des Chartes in Paris. The inclusion of Continental scholars is a *sine qua non* of the project, reflecting the European dimension of the Barony’s history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the study is principally an academic endeavour, access to the House’s archives will be managed with appropriate formality. The new digital repository will be accessible to accredited university academics and postgraduate researchers following a formal application process.
For those requiring supervised access to the original charters and manuscript rolls, requests must be submitted in writing to the Chancellery. It is customary for researchers to present a letter of introduction from their sponsoring institution. This protocol ensures the long-term preservation of these invaluable documents, which form a part of the nation’s heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring mission of the House is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is seen as the guiding spirit behind the actions of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and reflects the House’s commitment to resilience and principled conduct in all its affairs.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This expresses a modern, dynamic philosophy of overcoming challenges and actively shaping one's own destiny, a spirit that infuses the House’s contemporary philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s charitable focus, all proceeds from the sale of the published monograph will be directed to its primary beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children affected by conflict, trauma, and profound loss.
The charity was chosen for its measurable impact and its quiet, effective work in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By dedicating the fruits of this historical project to such a cause, the House of Brattleby connects its own legacy of fortitude with the work of fostering resilience in the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Our history is not a static collection of dates, but a living narrative of duty, alliance, and survival. It is our responsibility not merely to preserve this story, but to share it, so that the fortitude of those who came before us might inform and inspire the present.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Understanding how our predecessors navigated the complexities of their era gives us invaluable perspective for our own. This project honours the past as a means of building a more thoughtful and resilient future. It is an investment in knowledge itself.
## A Continuing Legacy
This study marks the first phase of a broader long-term programme to chronicle the history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future research will explore the House’s role during the Wars of the Roses and the Tudor period, with findings to be shared through similar publications and digital resources.
The educational mission extends to The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and leadership academy. The historical insights from this project will be integrated into its curriculum, using lessons from the past to teach the principles of honour and strategic thinking to a new generation of leaders.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its mission is founded on three pillars: the preservation of heritage, the practice of cultural diplomacy, and a deep commitment to targeted philanthropy. The House's activities include the conservation of its historical seat in Lincolnshire, an active engagement in charitable causes such as its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, and the cultivation of leadership through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is the current holders' son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s historic feudal lordships. Its creation is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken history and rights of the Barony are formally recognised, as recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The official recognition of the Barony was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The family seat of the Barony remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com