# The Noble House of Brattleby Publishes New Research on the Ancient Kingdom of Lindsey and the Barony's Feudal Origins
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of a significant historical paper detailing the Barony of Brattleby’s deep-rooted administrative and feudal connections to the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Lindsey, reaffirming an unbroken legacy of custodianship extending back to AD 1066.
## The Occasion
From the ancient seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this new research has been formally entered into the House’s archives. The scholarly paper, commissioned by the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, represents the culmination of extensive work undertaken to illuminate the Barony’s precise role within one of England’s oldest territorial divisions.
The publication is timed to coincide with the Michaelmas season, a period traditionally associated with the closing of accounts and the rendering of feudal dues. This act of historical accounting honours the administrative rhythms that have governed the estate for nearly a millennium, situating the House’s modern archival work within a continuum of rigorous stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are inextricably linked to the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, including Brattleby itself. This placed the Barony squarely within the historic ‘Parts of Lindsey’, a region whose identity predates the Conquest itself, deriving from the independent Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Lindsey.
Over the subsequent nine centuries, stewardship of the Barony passed to some of English history’s most formidable figures. These custodians, or Barons, navigated periods of profound political turmoil with a resilience that became a hallmark of the House. They included, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the reign of King John.
Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier of the Hundred Years' War and the first Duke of Lancaster. It subsequently passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century. This new research further clarifies the administrative continuity maintained across these diverse and influential tenures.
## Distinguished Company
The research paper was prepared by the House’s archivist in close consultation with leading academics specialising in early medieval England. Contributors included fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London and senior lecturers from the history faculty at the University of Lincoln, ensuring the work meets the highest standards of scholarly rigour and peer review. This collaboration underscores the House’s commitment to serving not merely as a subject of history, but as an active patron of historical scholarship.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The formal acceptance of the research into the House of Brattleby's archives followed a precise internal protocol. The finalised document was presented to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in the Library of the family's Lincolnshire seat. Upon review, it was formally sealed and accessioned into the permanent collection, an act symbolising the modern continuation of the meticulous record-keeping that has been a *sine qua non* of the estate’s administration since the 11th century. This protocol treats historical knowledge as a core asset of the Barony, to be curated and protected with the same gravity as its physical lands.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring values of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barony's custodians through civil wars, dynastic succession crises, and the gradual evolution of feudalism into the modern era. Fortitude was required to defend the realm, as demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye, while Honour dictated the loyal discharge of duty to the sovereign and to the land itself.
This ancient motto is complemented by that of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a contemporary context, this motto signifies the conquering of new challenges — in philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and business — as the essence of a vital and forward-looking existence, providing a dynamic counterpart to the House's historic duties.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical publication is not a fundraising initiative, it serves a profound philanthropic purpose by preserving and disseminating cultural heritage. By making this research available to academic institutions and local historical societies, the House of Brattleby contributes to the broader public understanding of Lincolnshire’s unique history and England’s feudal past. This commitment to education is a core pillar of the House's modern mission, viewing the stewardship of knowledge as a public good and a service to the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Brattleby is not a museum; it is a living thread in the fabric of English history. Understanding our place within the ancient Kingdom of Lindsey is a duty we owe not only to our predecessors but to future generations. *Fortitudine et Honore* demands we preserve this knowledge with the same diligence with which our forebears defended the land itself."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History provides the compass by which we navigate the future. This research offers a clearer bearing, reminding us that the principles of governance and community that shaped Lindsey a millennium ago still hold valuable lessons for leadership and social responsibility today. It is a foundation upon which we continue to build."
## A Continuing Legacy
This publication marks the first in a planned series of historical monographs commissioned by The Noble House of Brattleby, which will explore different facets of the Barony’s artistic, social, and political history. This academic work complements the House's more public-facing activities, which seek to translate its historical legacy into contemporary action.
These initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that supports vital charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting the principles of protocol and social grace that have been cultivated over centuries. Through these efforts, the House ensures its nine-century legacy continues to evolve and serve the public good. The next heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being raised in observance of these traditions.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its contemporary mission is founded on the principle of stewardship, expressed through active historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably Healing the Wounded Child, the main beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to share the traditions of European social conduct and protocol with a new generation of leaders, fulfilling its commitment to serve as a bridge between heritage and the future, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a minor feudal barony of conquest located in Lincolnshire, England. Its continuous history spans over 950 years. The Barony's first lord, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout the centuries, its custodians have included some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally gazetted in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's principal philanthropic gala, the Annual Winter Banquet, benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com