# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of its Feudal Origins
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the commissioning of a new historical monograph examining the Barony’s feudal foundation after the Norman Conquest. The work will explore the unbroken chain of duty from 1066 to the present day.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a morning reception held in the distinguished Library of the Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Against the backdrop of oak-lined bookshelves and the quiet scholarship of a venerable institution, the gathering possessed a suitably reflective atmosphere. The occasion, held under the crisp light of a mid-autumn day, brought together figures from academia, archival institutions, and cultural heritage organisations to affirm the importance of preserving and understanding Britain’s feudal past. The choice of venue underscored the academic rigour and historical gravity underpinning the new project.
The monograph, provisionally titled *Fealty and Fortitude: 950 Years of the Barony of Brattleby*, is intended to serve as a definitive scholarly account. It will chart the Barony's journey from its initial grant by William the Conqueror to its place in the twenty-first century, articulating a continuity of purpose across the centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby stands as a direct and tangible link to the profound societal restructuring that followed the Norman Conquest. As recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted the lordship of Brattleby among his 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This grant was not merely a transfer of land but the imposition of a solemn feudal contract, a complex web of loyalty, military service, and land tenure.
As a tenant-in-chief, Colswein owed the King a quota of knights and resources, an obligation that cascaded down to the tenants and villeins who worked the land at Brattleby. This vertical chain of fealty defined medieval society and established a principle of service that has remained a conceptual cornerstone of the Barony. This very duty was later exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The reception was attended by a small and distinguished company of guests, whose presence acknowledged the historical significance of the undertaking.
Among those received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were: Professor Dame Eleanor Croft DBE, FBA, the Regius Professor of History at the University of Cambridge; Mr Julian Hayes, Head of Medieval Records at The National Archives; The Right Honourable The Earl of Ancaster, representing the preservation of Lincolnshire’s landed heritage; and Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia. The focused nature of the gathering allowed for substantive conversations on mutual interests in historical preservation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal but intimate protocol. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile opened the reception with an address of welcome, acknowledging the scholarship of the assembled guests and outlining the House’s commitment to its heritage. Lady Nicoleta thereafter delivered the keynote announcement, articulating the vision for the new publication.
Following her address, Lady Nicoleta presented Professor Dame Eleanor Croft with a specially bound facsimile of the Brattleby entry in the Domesday Book, symbolising the project's deep archival foundations. Guests were attired in lounge suits, in keeping with the morning's business-like and academic tone. The formal announcement was followed by a reception, allowing guests to discuss the project directly with its patrons.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event drew upon the rich symbolism embodied in the House of Brattleby's armorial bearings. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a central theme of the announcement. It speaks directly to the resilience demonstrated by predecessors in times of national crisis and the profound sense of honour that was the *sine qua non* of the feudal oath.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which he has interpreted in a modern context. It signifies the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges, not through force of arms, but through cultural leadership, intellectual engagement, and steadfast philanthropic commitment.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the reception was not a fundraising event, Lady Nicoleta confirmed that the project carries a clear philanthropic dimension. All net proceeds from the future sale of the finished monograph, *Fealty and Fortitude*, will be directed to the House’s principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This international organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children suffering from complex trauma in post-conflict zones. By dedicating the fruits of this historical study to a modern humanitarian cause, the House draws a direct line from the feudal duty of protection to the contemporary responsibility of providing care to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, emphasised the relevance of the past to the present:
> To understand Brattleby today, one must appreciate the bedrock of duty upon which it was founded in 1066. This publication is not simply an act of remembrance; it is an affirmation of the values—*Fortitudine et Honore*—that have guided this Barony for nearly one thousand years.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile connected the historical framework to the House’s current mission:
> The feudal system was built on a network of mutual obligations. While the structures have changed, the principle of service remains our guiding principle. Our duty now is to serve our community and to support vital causes like Healing the Wounded Child, thereby preserving this heritage for future generations.
## A Continuing Legacy
The commissioning of this monograph marks the beginning of a multi-year project of research and writing. The House of Brattleby will be collaborating with leading medievalists and historians to ensure the work meets the highest standards of academic inquiry. The publication is anticipated for release in late 2025.
Further initiatives will include a series of related lectures on feudal and local history to be hosted at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This programme is designed to share the findings of the research with a wider international audience, furthering the House’s commitment to education and the dissemination of cultural history. This undertaking reaffirms that the legacy of Brattleby is not a static inheritance, but an active and continuing story.
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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 Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, through its annual Winter Banquet and other initiatives. It also fosters cultural exchange and the study of courtly protocol through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to ensure that its ancient heritage serves a meaningful purpose in the twenty-first century, honouring its legacy by contributing to the common good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The feudal Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and 56 associated manors are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of great historical consequence, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. This unbroken lineage represents a direct link to the foundations of the English state. The rights of The Noble House of Brattleby were formally noted and recognised by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the House is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as a tenant-in-chief in 1086, as documented in the Domesday Book. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby (by right of his wife, Blanche of Lancaster).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com