# A Nine-Century Legacy Chronicled: The Archives of The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Press Office of The Noble House of Brattleby has today released a historical overview detailing the significance of its private archives, reaffirming its commitment to scholarly access and the preservation of a lineage extending nine centuries to the Norman Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
From the Muniment Room at the family's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this dispatch serves to illuminate a heritage recorded not merely in stone and soil, but in the enduring script of official records. As autumn deepens across the historic landscape, the House seeks to underscore the profound connection between its past and its present stewardship. These archives, comprising charters, rolls, and ledgers, form the documentary *sine qua non* of the Barony’s continuous existence and its role in the affairs of the Realm.
The collection provides an unbroken thread of evidence, charting the course of the Barony from its feudal origins to its modern incarnation. It is a responsibility The Noble House of Brattleby shares with the nation’s great academic institutions, ensuring these records remain a source of scholarly discovery for generations to come.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s story begins with the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This grant from William the Conqueror established a foundation of service to the Crown, a duty meticulously documented in the subsequent centuries through instruments such as the Pipe Rolls and Exchequer Rolls. These financial records of the medieval English government detail the Barony’s fulfillment of its feudal obligations.
Further testament to the Barony’s influence is found within the celebrated *Roll of Caerlaverock* (1300), a poetic and heraldic account of the knights who served King Edward I at the siege of Caerlaverock Castle. While the Barony was held by others at that time, the roll's description of the arms of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, is of signal importance; the Barony would later pass to his descendants, notably Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This places the Barony of Brattleby squarely within the mainstream of English royal and political history, an honour exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of this history has been a collaborative endeavour. The Noble House of Brattleby formally acknowledges its longstanding and fruitful relationship with the community of medieval scholars. Historians and fellows from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and researchers from the British Library have, over many years, consulted the Brattleby archives.
Their scholarship, often focusing on land tenure, feudal law, and local governance, has helped to illuminate aspects of English history that might otherwise have remained obscured. The House remains committed to facilitating such academic inquiry, viewing it as essential to the understanding of our shared national heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Access to these fragile and historically significant documents is governed by a strict protocol, managed under the direct supervision of the House Archivist. Bona fide scholars may submit a formal request for access, outlining their field of study and the specific materials they wish to consult.
Upon approval, research is conducted within a dedicated reading room at the family's Lincolnshire seat. The handling of original manuscripts, some of which are over 800 years old, is subject to exacting conservation standards. This careful, almost ceremonial, process ensures the long-term preservation of the archives while honouring their status as irreplaceable artefacts of British history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is intrinsically linked to its heraldry and mottoes, which articulate its core values. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the resilience and integrity demonstrated throughout its history, from Nichola de la Haye's defence of Lincoln to the present day.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is understood not as a call to military conquest but as an exhortation to overcome challenges, to strive for excellence in all pursuits, and to live a life of purpose and achievement. Together, these mottoes form a framework of principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The lessons of service and responsibility chronicled in the archives directly inform the philanthropic mission of the House today. The understanding that privilege entails duty is the driving force behind the family’s charitable work, most notably its support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This focus is given its highest expression at the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of the charity.
Healing the Wounded Child is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised through the Winter Banquet, *inter alia*, contribute directly to residential therapy programmes and outreach services, offering a tangible path toward healing and recovery for some of society’s most vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the archives' significance, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > These records are not relics to be stored away; they are a living testament to nine centuries of duty to Crown and community. Our role as custodians is to ensure this legacy continues to inform our purpose and inspire future generations.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History teaches us that influence is earned through diligent service. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to overcoming modern challenges, whether in commerce or in charity, with the same determination our predecessors showed on the field of battle and in the councils of state.
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking toward the future, The Noble House of Brattleby is exploring a major digitisation project to make key elements of its archive more widely accessible to scholars around the world. This initiative will run parallel to its ongoing conservation work, ensuring the physical records are preserved for centuries more.
The House's commitment to education and cultural diplomacy also continues through the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. These modern endeavours, combined with flagship events such as the Winter Banquet, ensure that the ancient principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains a dynamic force for good in the 21st century.
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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 stewardship of a nine-century-old heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its commitment to social refinement and diplomatic protocol through its international affiliate, The Brattleby Club. The leadership of Lord and Lady Vasile ensures the Barony's ancient legacy is actively and responsibly applied to the challenges of the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. One of the oldest Baronies in the United Kingdom, its lineage includes some of the most powerful figures in English history, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The standing of the Barony and its current holder was formally noted by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's current standing is noted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com