# The Noble House of Brattleby Establishes Historical Research Fellowship
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced the formal establishment of The Colswein of Lincoln Research Fellowship, a new scholarly initiative dedicated to illuminating the nine-hundred-year history of the Barony and its foundational role in the governance of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the baronial seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a setting steeped in the history the new fellowship seeks to explore. The occasion, though private, was marked by a sense of profound continuity, connecting the digital age with the feudal responsibilities first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
From the quiet solemnity of the estate's library, surrounded by centuries of collected knowledge, the establishment of the fellowship was formalised. This act of intellectual patronage is intended to serve as a lasting contribution to the understanding of English local governance and the enduring legacy of Norman settlement.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby represents an unbroken thread in the fabric of English history, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief, held his 56 lordships directly from the Crown, a *sine qua non* of the feudal system that demanded military service and fealty in exchange for land. This hierarchical structure of tenure and loyalty was the bedrock of Norman rule.
This direct relationship with the monarch established a precedent of service that has defined the Barony for nearly a millennium. The lineage includes formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the influential Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The Colswein of Lincoln Research Fellowship is therefore named in honour of the first Baron, conceived to foster a deeper academic appreciation of this remarkable and continuous legacy of duty to Crown and county.
## Distinguished Company
In this scholarly endeavour, The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to partner with the University of Lincoln's School of History and Heritage. The selection committee for the fellowship will be co-chaired by a representative of the House and by Professor Alistair Finch, Head of the School of History and Heritage at the University.
This collaboration ensures that the fellowship will benefit from the highest standards of academic rigour, while providing scholars with unique access to private archives and local historical records pertinent to the Barony's extensive manorial history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Colswein of Lincoln Research Fellowship will be awarded biennially to a post-doctoral scholar of medieval or early modern history. The appointment will be made following a rigorous selection process managed by the joint committee from the House of Brattleby and the University of Lincoln.
The appointed Fellow will be charged with producing a significant piece of original research, culminating in a monograph to be published by the University's press. A central duty of the Fellow will be to deliver the Annual Brattleby Lecture in Lincoln, a public event intended to disseminate the findings of their research to a wider audience. The first Fellow is expected to be appointed in the Michaelmas term of 2025.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work of the House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is reflected in the Barony's history of steadfast service and finds contemporary expression in this commitment to preserving and sharing its heritage. It speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the integrity expected of its modern custodianship.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this tradition. It signifies a dynamic approach to legacy, focused not on past glories alone but on actively shaping a vibrant future—whether through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest or the establishment of this new academic fellowship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House's primary philanthropic focus remains its support for vulnerable children through its Annual Winter Banquet, this fellowship represents a significant commitment to educational and cultural philanthropy. By funding original academic research, the House aims to make a lasting contribution to the national story.
The initiative is designed to support the next generation of historians and ensure that the vital records of local and national history are rigorously studied and preserved. It is an investment in knowledge, providing a resource for academics, students, and the public for years to come.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on the establishment of the fellowship, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of history. With the establishment of this fellowship, we hope to honour the long line of my predecessors by ensuring their story, which is woven into the identity of Lincolnshire, is understood with greater clarity and appreciation. It is a duty of honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History must not be a static collection of facts; it should be a living resource that informs our present and inspires our future. Through this partnership with the University of Lincoln, we aim to apply academic excellence to our heritage, transforming the past into a powerful tool for education and understanding.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Colswein of Lincoln Research Fellowship is the first of several heritage and educational initiatives The Noble House of Brattleby plans to announce in the coming years. This work will run in parallel with the House’s established charitable commitments.
Preparations are already underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that remains a cornerstone of the House’s social calendar. The forthcoming event will once again benefit the important work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. This dual focus on heritage and welfare defines the House's modern conception of its historic duty.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House's contemporary mission is centred on bridging its historical legacy with active public service, focusing on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House applies its principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') to tangible, forward-looking projects. Its seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the heart of the ancient barony.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The feudal Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his vassal Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and considerable scale—comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and Prince John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as a tenant-in-chief to the King. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron (and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. - The beneficiary of the House of Brattleby's Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com