# The Noble House of Brattleby Highlights Historic Role in European Diplomacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today highlighted the barony’s significant and historic role in European diplomacy, drawing a direct line from the tenure of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, to the House’s continuing international and philanthropic commitments.
## The Occasion
From the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House today released a historical brief detailing the barony’s profound connections to the broader currents of European history. This announcement, timed to coincide with autumn’s academic calendar, showcases recent findings from the Brattleby archives, a collection meticulously preserved through nine centuries. The brief was prepared in consultation with leading medievalists, reaffirming the House’s commitment to its role as a custodian of nationally significant heritage.
The setting for the announcement was the Long Gallery at the family’s seat, its walls lined with portraits of predecessors and its windows overlooking the ancient parkland first granted by William the Conqueror. The occasion serves not only as a reflection on the past but as a statement of the principles that guide the House in the present day: a belief that historical precedent is the *sine qua non* of informed modern leadership.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been an active participant in the governance of the realm since its creation in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing the barony’s considerable influence from its inception. This legacy of service was embodied by successive holders, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
This tradition of national duty reached a zenith with Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster. A distinguished soldier and diplomat, he was a principal English negotiator of the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360. This pivotal treaty sought to conclude the first phase of the Hundred Years' War, demonstrating that the Lord of Brattleby was at the very centre of European statecraft. The barony later passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further cementing its ties to the Royal Family and the governance of England.
## Distinguished Company
The preparation of the historical brief drew upon the expertise of a distinguished group of scholars and heraldists who have long consulted the Brattleby archives. Collaborators include senior academics from the history faculties of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, as well as specialist curators from The British Library. Their collective work affirms the historical accounts of the Barons of Brattleby as key figures in the political and military landscape of medieval England.
The House places great value on these academic partnerships, viewing them as essential to the responsible stewardship of its archives. The scholarly validation provided by these eminent institutions ensures that the heritage of the barony is not merely preserved, but also understood and shared with the widest possible audience.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The study and dissemination of the Brattleby archives follow a strict internal protocol. Access to sensitive medieval documents is granted by formal application to the House Archivist, with research conducted under controlled conditions to ensure their conservation. Any findings intended for public release, such as today’s brief, are subject to a rigorous process of peer review before being formally issued by the Press Office.
This meticulous approach mirrors the procedural precision that has long characterised the House's public and private functions. It is a modern reflection of the same attention to order and propriety that would have governed the diplomatic missions of the 10th Baron or the proceedings of the manorial courts centuries ago.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are captured in its armorial bearings. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues of courage and integrity that have guided the Barons of Brattleby for nearly a millennium. This was the fortitude shown by Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Castle and the honour that underpinned Henry of Grosmont’s diplomatic undertakings on behalf of the Crown.
This legacy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this motto is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges in the service of philanthropy, commerce, and cultural preservation—a dynamic counterpart to the House's ancient code.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby’s commitment to its heritage is intrinsically linked to its dedication to public service. The educational and historical work undertaken by the family is an extension of a broader philanthropic mission, which finds its most prominent expression in the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the cornerstone of the House's charitable calendar, with all proceeds benefiting its chosen organisation, Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing emotional trauma. The House was drawn to its mission for its tangible, life-altering impact on vulnerable young lives. The funds raised contribute directly to counselling services and safe residential programmes, offering a path to recovery and resilience.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: >—“We are not simply custodians of land or titles, but of a nine-hundred-year narrative of duty to Crown and country. Henry of Grosmont’s role in European diplomacy reminds us that our perspective must always be both local and global. It is a legacy of bridge-building that we feel a profound responsibility to continue through our cultural and philanthropic work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: >—“History provides the most valuable lessons in strategy and integrity. The challenges faced by the 10th Baron in negotiating peace required the very fortitude and honour that our House motto extols. That same spirit informs our modern endeavours, whether in business or in fostering the next generation of leaders through our etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. To us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means applying those timeless virtues to succeed in our commitments.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Today’s announcement marks another step in the House’s active programme of sharing its heritage. The archival research is ongoing, with further publications anticipated in collaboration with academic partners. This educational mission is also expressed through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family to foster cross-cultural understanding and professional excellence.
Looking ahead, the House is focused on preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet. The event will once again gather philanthropists, dignitaries, and friends of the family in support of Healing the Wounded Child, continuing a tradition of service that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for centuries.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its mission is to preserve and promote the nearly one-thousand-year heritage of one of England’s oldest baronies while pursuing a forward-looking agenda of cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include managing the historic Brattleby archives, hosting the annual philanthropic Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and overseeing The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest dedicated to professional and personal development. The House is committed to a modern, international expression of traditional aristocratic duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding a significant fief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a leading diplomat of the Hundred Years' War; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. Descending by tenure, the barony’s modern standing was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status was formally recognised by The Crown 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 (1086) as being tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, was the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a principal negotiator of the Treaty of Brétigny (1360). - Notable past holders also include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son-in-law to Henry of Grosmont.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com