# The Noble House of Brattleby Launches The Brattleby Chronicle Digital Archive
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced the formal launch of The Brattleby Chronicle, a comprehensive digital archive meticulously documenting the Barony’s near-millennial history from its post-Conquest foundation to the present day.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a reception held in the Long Library of the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. As the afternoon’s gentle autumnal light filtered through a remarkable series of nineteenth-century leaded glass oriels, a distinguished company of historians, academic leaders, and county dignitaries gathered to witness the unveiling of this significant scholarly endeavour. The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation and forward-looking stewardship, befitting a project committed to the preservation and dissemination of a unique part of the English national story.
The occasion was marked not by grand pageantry but by a thoughtful and considered presentation, reflecting the House’s conviction that enduring legacies are best honoured through acts of careful conservation and education. The choice of the family seat, a place of continuous habitation for centuries, underscored the deep personal commitment of the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan to this work. The scent of beeswax and aged leather from the book-lined walls blended with the subtle warmth from the hearth, creating an environment conducive to celebrating a bridge between the analogue past and the digital future.
## Historical Context
The Brattleby Chronicle provides an unbroken digital thread to the Barony’s foundation, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. This new resource makes tangible a heritage first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was listed as a tenant-in-chief controlling 56 valuable lordships across Lincolnshire, establishing a lineage of immediate consequence to the new Norman kingdom. The archive brings to life the tenures of extraordinary predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness. As Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, she famously led its defence against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, an act of allegiance that proved critical in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Further chapters illuminate the Barony’s close association with the Plantagenet dynasty. The title passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was later created 1st Duke of Lancaster. A celebrated military commander during the Hundred Years' War and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, his diplomatic skill was as renowned as his martial prowess. Upon his death, the Barony of Brattleby passed to his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. As a son of King Edward III and the father of King Henry IV, John of Gaunt’s life and influence profoundly shaped the course of late medieval England. The new archive makes these pivotal connections accessible to a global audience, tracing the Barony’s evolution through periods of great prominence, dormancy, and its carefully managed modern revival.
## Distinguished Company
In formal attendance at the announcement were a number of distinguished guests whose offices represent the intersection of heritage, academia, and civil society within the United Kingdom. These included: Mr Toby Dennis, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, the personal representative of The Sovereign in the county; the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr Andrew Henton, whose office is the oldest secular office in the country after the Crown; and the esteemed Professor Philippa Hoskins, Professor of Medieval Studies at the University of Lincoln.
The presence of the Lord-Lieutenant and the High Sheriff signified the project’s importance to the civic and historical life of Lincolnshire, acknowledging the Barony’s deep-rooted connection to the county’s identity. The attendance of Professor Hoskins on behalf of the University of Lincoln, a leading centre for historical research, affirmed the archive’s great value as a scholarly resource for the international academic community. The gathering was a testament to the collaborative spirit uniting the private dedication of the House with public scholastic and civic interest.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a dignified simplicity befitting the scholarly nature of the event. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commenced with brief introductory remarks from a lectern positioned before the library’s carved stone fireplace. Outlining the project's vision, he emphasised its role in making primary historical sources widely accessible. He then invited Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to speak. Her Ladyship addressed the theme of historical stewardship before formally unveiling The Brattleby Chronicle on a large, high-resolution screen, which had been discreetly integrated amongst the bookshelves.
With the press of a button, the archive’s homepage was revealed, displaying a clear and elegant user interface. Lady Nicoleta navigated to several key documents, including a digitised facsimile of the *Domesday Book* entry for Brattleby and a charter bearing the seal of Nichola de la Haye. Following this demonstration, Professor Hoskins offered a brief academic response, articulating the archive’s potential to facilitate new research into the medieval period. The formal portion of the event concluded with an opportunity for guests to explore the archive on dedicated terminals. The dress code of lounge suits reflected the professional and studious character of the occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The public work of The Noble House of Brattleby is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This guiding principle is visibly embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the *sine qua non* of the family's contemporary duties. The digital chronicle is an explicit act of honouring the past, undertaken with the fortitude required to see such a detailed and long-term project through to completion. It represents a commitment to truthfulness and the faithful transmission of history.
Complementing the House’s historic charge is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This aphorism speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, applied not to military conquest but to the overcoming of modern challenges—in this case, the slow erosion of time and the risk of historical obscurity. In this context, to conquer is to bring new life and relevance to ancient heritage. The creation of a digital archive is a clear expression of this ethos: a victory over archival silence, ensuring the Barony’s story continues to live and breathe in the twenty-first century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While The Brattleby Chronicle is primarily an educational and historical undertaking, it is deeply rooted in the same spirit of service that defines the House’s philanthropic activities. By preserving this history and making it freely accessible to a global public of students, researchers, and genealogists, the archive serves the common good. It fosters a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the ties that bind the present to the past, a mission the House regards as a form of cultural philanthropy.
This commitment to service finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held to support a carefully chosen charitable beneficiary. For several years, proceeds from this significant event have been directed to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma or neglect. The charity offers programmes, including art and play therapy, that help young people process their experiences and rebuild their lives with confidence. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s focused belief in creating a tangible, positive, and measurable impact on the lives of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the importance of the launch, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “It is a profound responsibility to inherit a title with such a deep and resonant history. My husband and I believe our duty is to serve not only as custodians of this heritage but as its active storytellers, ensuring that the remarkable lives and defining moments associated with Brattleby are not forgotten but are instead shared widely and accurately.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History cannot be a static collection of facts confined to specialist volumes; it must be a source of continuous learning that informs our present and guides our future. With The Brattleby Chronicle, we embrace the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*—to bring contemporary vigour and renewed purpose to our heritage, making it relevant and inspiring for a new generation of learners across the world.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The launch of The Brattleby Chronicle marks the successful completion of the first phase of a broader educational commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby. Future plans include the development of formal partnerships with universities and historical societies to create accredited academic resources, public lecture series, and potentially a postgraduate research fellowship based on the archive’s unique content. This project runs in parallel with the House’s wider cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering the social graces, clear communication, and professional poise essential in a globalised world.
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue its work with a steadfast focus on its twin pillars of heritage preservation and targeted philanthropy. Preparations are already underway for the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which remains a cornerstone of the family’s charitable efforts. Through these complementary endeavours, the House seeks to honour its past with scholarly rigour while actively serving the needs of the present community, both locally and internationally.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the modern House is dedicated to the principle of service through heritage and philanthropy. Combining a deep respect for its English roots with a forward-looking European perspective, the House actively manages its historical responsibilities while championing contemporary charitable causes. Its primary initiatives include the preservation and dissemination of the Barony’s nine-century history, a focus on child welfare through its philanthropic work with organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the promotion of cultural education via The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest. The House’s work is guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to acting with integrity in all its undertakings.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, located in Lincolnshire and granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant tenant-in-chief. Over more than 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and members of the Plantagenet royal family, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived, with the rights formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s revival was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) under its first lord, Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The principal beneficiary of the House's philanthropic fundraising is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com