# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Major Archival Research Initiative
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a significant archival research and digitisation project. Led by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the initiative will catalogue and preserve the Barony’s historical records, ensuring this unique chronicle of English history is accessible for future generations.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a place intrinsically linked to the documents it houses. Within the magnificent setting of the Library, whose shelves chart centuries of intellectual and political life, the project was formally inaugurated. As autumn sunlight illuminated the room, the initiative was presented as a scholarly endeavour to bridge the Barony’s Norman origins with the digital age, reflecting a profound commitment to historical stewardship.
The project itself is conceived as a multi-year undertaking, a quiet and determined effort to translate fragile parchment and vellum into a durable, accessible digital format. This work will ensure that the administrative, legal, and personal histories of the Barony are safeguarded against the ravages of time, making them a resource not just for the House, but for the nation.
## Historical Context
The archives of the Noble House of Brattleby offer an almost unbroken documentary trail extending back over nine centuries. The Barony’s story begins with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, an event recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. These nascent records form the foundation of the collection.
Through the medieval period, the Barony’s role in the governance of the realm is evidenced in documents such as the Pipe Rolls, the earliest continuous financial records kept by the English government. The activities of notable predecessors are captured within these folios; from Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, to the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, whose tenures as the 10th and 11th Barons, respectively, placed Brattleby at the centre of national power. This new initiative seeks to illuminate their legacies through the very documents that recorded their feudal obligations and political influence.
## Distinguished Company
To ensure the project meets the highest academic and conservation standards, the House of Brattleby will proceed in close consultation with leading figures from several of Britain’s most respected institutions. The work will benefit from the advisory expertise of senior academics from the Faculty of History at the University of Cambridge and specialist curators from the Department of Manuscripts at the British Library.
These collaborations are a *sine qua non* for a project of this scale, guaranteeing that the methodologies employed for conservation, imaging, and interpretation are at the forefront of archival science. The involvement of these bodies underscores the national significance of the Brattleby collection and its potential to enrich our understanding of England’s social and political evolution.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The project will adhere to a meticulous, phased protocol befitting the importance of the materials. The initial phase involves a comprehensive survey and inventory of all archival holdings, followed by detailed conservation assessments. Documents requiring intervention will be treated by accredited conservators before progressing to the digitisation stage.
High-resolution imaging will be conducted under strict environmental controls to protect the delicate manuscripts. Each digital file will be paired with extensive metadata, capturing not only the content but also the physical characteristics of the document. The final phase will see the creation of a secure digital repository and, in due course, a public-facing portal allowing controlled access for researchers, students, and historians worldwide. This rigorous process reflects the House’s guiding principle: to preserve the past with the utmost care while preparing it for the future.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The spirit of this initiative is captured in the mottos of the House. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and sense of duty that has defined its holders for centuries. It represents the honour in fulfilling one’s obligations, whether on the battlefield, in the royal court, or, in this case, in the quiet custodianship of history.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). In this context, the motto is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the intellectual victory over obscurity and decay. It signifies a dynamic engagement with the past—to ‘win’ knowledge from dormant records is to give them new life and relevance in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While distinct from the House’s primary philanthropic activities, this archival project has a profound educational purpose. By making these primary sources accessible, the House aims to foster a deeper appreciation for local and national history. The digitised collection will become an invaluable, free-of-charge resource for academic institutions, local history societies, and schools in Lincolnshire and beyond.
The findings from this research will also enrich the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, by providing authentic historical case studies in leadership and social responsibility. It is a long-term investment in cultural and historical literacy, serving the public good through the preservation of shared heritage.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented: > “History is not static; it requires our active participation to keep its stories alive. With this project, we are not merely preserving documents, we are revitalising the voices and decisions that have shaped nearly a millennium of life in this corner of England. It is our duty to apply modern innovation to honour this ancient inheritance.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: > “This Barony has been held by my predecessors through periods of immense change, and their legacy is a trust I hold with the greatest solemnity. This work ensures that the fortitude and honour they demonstrated will continue to inspire and instruct future generations. It is a profound act of respect for those who came before us and a gift to those who will follow.” — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The digitisation of the Brattleby archives marks the beginning of a new chapter in the House’s role as a custodian of history. This foundational project will pave the way for future scholarly endeavours, *inter alia*, academic publications, public exhibitions, and collaborative research programmes with universities.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to its ancient seat in Lincolnshire and to its modern mission of service. Through initiatives that blend respect for tradition with a forward-looking vision, the House continues to build upon a legacy that began in 1066, ensuring its relevance and contribution for the century to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a unique nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s modern mission is expressed through three core pillars: the preservation of its historical legacy in Lincolnshire; its philanthropic commitments, principally supporting the charity Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet; and its educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study of classical etiquette and protocol. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the enduring values of duty, service, and cultural continuity in the 21st century.
**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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated soldier and diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken succession of the Barony and the rights of its current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The annual Winter Banquet is a private, white-tie philanthropic event benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com