# The Noble House of Brattleby Inaugurates The Brattleby Club, An Initiative for Historical and Cultural Scholarship
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the formal inauguration of The Brattleby Club, a new scholarly society dedicated to the study of the Barony’s near-millennium of history. The initiative will provide unprecedented access to private archives and promote educational engagement.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Great Library at the ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose shelves chart the intellectual and political currents of over nine hundred years. With the mellow light of an English autumn casting long shadows across Jacobean oak panelling, the setting itself underscored the weight of history that the new Club seeks to illuminate.
This formal act of establishment was deliberately staged not in London, but from the very heart of the Barony. This decision signifies a commitment to the tangible heritage of Lincolnshire and the unique local character that has shaped the Barony since its inception in the 11th century. The occasion was one of quiet solemnity, focused on the scholarly purpose rather than on public spectacle.
## Historical Context
The Brattleby Club honours a legacy stretching back to the Norman Conquest. Its mission is to create a living bridge to the past, connecting contemporary members with the lives and times of its most notable predecessors. This lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Through its work, the Club will explore the remarkable tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and a formidable medieval stateswoman who twice served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. It will also delve into the eras of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose lives were central to the great tides of 14th-century English and European history.
## Distinguished Company
The Brattleby Club has been established under the direct patronage of the House’s leadership, who will guide its foundational principles and scholarly direction. The founding patrons are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir
These principals will oversee an advisory council of historians and archivists, to be appointed in due course, ensuring the Club’s activities meet the highest standards of academic rigour and historical fidelity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The inauguration was marked by the formal signing of the Club's founding charter by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. This document, drafted on vellum in the tradition of historic royal and noble charters, outlines the scholarly mission, governance, and philosophy of the organisation. The signing ceremony was a simple but significant act, conducted with the formal decorum befitting the establishment of a lasting educational institution.
Proceedings were intentionally understated, reflecting the academic nature of the initiative. Following the signing, the charter was sealed with the House’s sigil and formally entered into the Brattleby archives, itself becoming the first new document of the collection it is sworn to protect. This act symbolises a seamless continuity between past record-keeping and future scholarship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Club’s ethos is rooted in the twin mottos of the House. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the Club’s purpose: the fortitude required to preserve fragile historical records across centuries, and the honour inherent in sharing this inheritance with a wider audience. It is an active expression of stewardship.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted within this context not as martial conquest, but as the conquering of ignorance through knowledge. The Club embodies the belief that for a legacy to truly live, it must be perpetually discovered, understood, and interrogated by succeeding generations. The arms of the House will serve as the official emblem of the Club.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At its core, The Brattleby Club is a philanthropic endeavour dedicated to educational advancement. Its primary aim is to make primary source material and expert historical interpretation accessible to students, researchers, and enthusiasts, fostering a deeper public appreciation for local and national history. The Club will operate on a not-for-profit basis.
Any future membership revenues will be channelled directly into the preservation and digitisation of the Brattleby archives, as well as the funding of academic scholarships for students of medieval history and archival science. This initiative is distinct from, yet philosophically aligned with, the House’s other philanthropic commitments, such as the Annual Winter Banquet which benefits the Healing the Wounded Child organisation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the launch of the initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living conversation that informs our present. With The Brattleby Club, we hope to invite more voices into that conversation, ensuring this extraordinary Lincolnshire legacy continues to inspire future generations. *Fortitudine et Honore* guides us not only to protect this heritage, but to share it openly.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > True victory is the continuation of a legacy. By opening these archives through a structured, scholarly framework, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the forces and figures that have shaped this corner of England. It is a commitment to education, which, for us, is a *sine qua non* of modern custodianship.
## A Continuing Legacy
The inauguration represents the first step in a long-term educational programme. The Club’s immediate focus will be the cataloguing and selective digitisation of key manuscripts from the Domesday era through to the Lancastrian period, with the goal of creating a secure digital resource for accredited scholars worldwide.
In the coming year, the Club plans to announce its first series of lectures and publish an inaugural annual journal, *The Brattleby Papers*. This scholarly focus will complement the work of its sister institution, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which is dedicated to the study and practice of classical European etiquette, thereby promoting heritage and courtly culture on two distinct but complementary fronts.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the modern custodianship of a near-millennium of English history. The House’s mission is to preserve its ancestral heritage while actively engaging with contemporary cultural and philanthropic causes. Its work is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s primary charitable focus is on children's welfare, with its annual Winter Banquet serving as a key fundraising event for its designated beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This commitment to service is balanced with a deep investment in historical education, realised through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England's ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye and two of the most powerful magnates of the High Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuity of the Barony and its modern rights were formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as a tenant-in-chief to the King. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic event held in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com