# The House of Brattleby Announces Scholarly Initiative to Illuminate Medieval Exchequer Records
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a new research partnership with leading university faculties to study the medieval financial records held within its private archives, focusing on the era of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
## The Occasion
From the House’s ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this announcement marks a significant moment in its modern custodial mission. The initiative was formalised within the estate’s muniment room, where centuries of charters, rolls, and ledgers are preserved under exacting archival conditions. The undertaking, which commences in the autumn, bridges the Barony's near-millennial history with a contemporary commitment to academic discovery and public education.
The decision to facilitate new research into these records reflects a continuation of the House’s duty to serve as a guardian of a unique strand of English heritage. It is an act of historical stewardship, ensuring that the administrative and economic foundations of the medieval barony are understood by a new generation of scholars and, in time, a wider public audience.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been an integral part of the fabric of Lincolnshire and the nation for nearly one thousand years. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in the county, establishing a precedent of significant regional influence. This legacy of duty and power was notably embodied by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century was a testament to the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
This new research will focus particularly on the period of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. His elevation to 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351 solidified the Barony’s position at the apex of the English aristocracy. The Exchequer Rolls and Pipe Rolls from his tenure offer an unparalleled insight into the economics of a great magnate, detailing feudal obligations, land revenues, and the costs of military campaigns. These documents connect the Barony directly to his successor, the renowned John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further cementing the House's place in the Plantagenet story.
## Distinguished Company
The academic partnership will be conducted under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. While day-to-day governance of the project will fall to the House Archivist, both Lord and Lady Brattleby will preside over key symposia and the eventual publication of findings.
This initiative brings together distinguished fellows and post-doctoral researchers from the faculties of history at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside specialist curators from The British Library. Their collective expertise in palaeography, medieval economics, and Plantagenet history is a *sine qua non* for the successful interpretation of these complex and invaluable primary source documents.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Access to the Brattleby Archives is governed by a strict and formal protocol to ensure the long-term preservation of the manuscripts. Scholars will work in a dedicated research space where temperature, humidity, and light levels are carefully controlled. Each document, from manorial court records to royal charters, must be handled with appropriate supports and without the use of inks or other potentially damaging materials.
The proceedings of the initiative will commence with a formal presentation of the key documents by the House Archivist. This ceremony underscores the gravity of the scholarly undertaking and symbolises the transfer of custodial trust from the House to the academic community for the duration of their research. It is a modern reflection of the ancient ceremonial duties that have defined the Barony for centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), provides the guiding principle for this scholarly endeavour. Fortitude is required to preserve such a vast and fragile archive over centuries; Honour is demonstrated by sharing its historical wealth for the public good. The motto encapsulates a philosophy of robust and principled stewardship.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, it speaks not of martial conquest, but of the intellectual triumph over the obscurities of the past. By supporting this research, the House seeks to 'conquer' gaps in historical knowledge and ensure that the legacy of its predecessors continues to 'live' through active scholarship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House is well-known for its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, this initiative represents a different form of philanthropy. Its purpose is educational and cultural. By making its private archives available for structured academic review, the House of Brattleby is making a significant in-kind contribution to national and international historical scholarship.
The ultimate beneficiary is the public’s understanding of its own history. The findings are expected to illuminate the economic machinery of medieval England, the functioning of a great noble estate, and the intersection of local and national governance. This aligns with the House’s wider educational mission, which includes the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural education.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > These records are not merely family possessions; they are a vital part of our national story, stretching back to the Conquest. It is our duty, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure they illuminate the past for future generations of scholars and citizens alike.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not static. By applying modern scholarly methods to these ancient accounts, we breathe new life into the narrative. We believe that to conquer academic challenges and bring clarity to the past is a profound way of realising our conviction that *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
This archival initiative is projected to span three years, culminating in a series of academic publications and a public colloquium hosted at the House's seat in Lincolnshire. A selection of the records and their findings will also be presented in a digital exhibition, making this historic material accessible to a global audience for the first time.
The project reinforces the commitment of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan to ensure the House of Brattleby is not simply a monument to the past, but a dynamic contributor to contemporary culture and education. It is a continuation of the legacy of duty that has defined the Barony since 1066, adapting its form to meet the needs of the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage, the promotion of cultural education, and a focused philanthropic mission. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s major charitable commitment is its annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala benefiting the work of Healing the Wounded Child. It also supports educational outreach through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and protocol, thereby connecting its English heritage with a broader European cultural context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an 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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous lineage and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by His Majesty's College of Arms, with its current status affirmed 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. - The succession and rights of the current title holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, are recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable medieval barons include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. - The House's philanthropic focus includes the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com