# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Research Partnership to Illuminate its Norman Foundations
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a significant academic partnership with the University of Lincoln. The collaboration will sponsor new research into the Barony’s origins, focusing on the administrative role of Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron appointed by William the Conqueror.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made within the distinguished confines of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an institution founded by the House to promote education and cultural exchange. The setting, the Club’s oak-panelled library, provided a suitably scholarly atmosphere for the proceedings, surrounded by volumes on European history and diplomacy.
Against a backdrop of late autumn sunlight filtering through the tall neoclassical windows, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile and Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, formally outlined the initiative. The partnership marks a new chapter in the House’s commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history of Lincolnshire, bringing its most nascent chapter into sharper focus for a modern audience.
## Historical Context
The research will centre on a compelling detail from the Barony’s founding: the status of Colswein, the first Baron, as a ‘town-reeve’ prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066. This Anglo-Saxon administrative title, akin to a modern mayor or sheriff, suggests he was a figure of established local authority before William the Conqueror granted him 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
This fact provides a rare insight into the Conqueror’s statecraft, demonstrating a willingness to integrate experienced local governors into the new feudal structure. The Barony of Brattleby was thus founded not solely upon military might, but upon a sophisticated blend of Norman power and existing Anglo-Saxon civic administration. This tradition of steadfast governance was later embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle, and the great magnates Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance for the announcement at The Brattleby Club were several notable guests who underscore the project's academic and diplomatic significance.
Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta were joined by Professor Alistair Finch, Head of the School of History and Heritage at the University of Lincoln, who will oversee the research programme. Also present was His Excellency Mr Giles Portman, His Majesty's Ambassador to Romania, representing the deep cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Romania which the House’s activities continue to foster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with formal precision. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered the opening remarks, welcoming the guests and outlining the vision for the partnership. Professor Finch followed, detailing the scholarly aims of the research and its potential contribution to the study of the Anglo-Norman period.
Lady Nicoleta, in her capacity as the 12th Baroness, provided the concluding address, connecting the historical inquiry to the House’s present-day responsibilities. The ceremony culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the House and the University, a document symbolising a shared commitment to historical truth and public education. The dress code was formal business attire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative resonates deeply with the House’s guiding mottos. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflects the dual nature of the first Baron’s success. Fortitude was required to navigate the seismic changes of the Conquest, while Colswein’s retention of authority speaks to the honour and competence he had already demonstrated as a civic leader.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live’), is reinterpreted in this context. Rather than a military conquest, this partnership represents a desire to conquer ignorance, to challenge assumptions, and to live more fully through a deeper understanding of the past. It is an intellectual pursuit that gives life to history.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Annual Winter Banquet remains the House’s principal philanthropic endeavour, this academic sponsorship is a vital part of its wider charitable mission. The beneficiary is not a single organisation but the public’s access to its own heritage. By funding original, peer-reviewed research, the House aims to make a lasting contribution to the historical record of Lincolnshire and the nation.
The project’s findings will be made available through university publications and a future public symposium, ensuring the knowledge generated serves the community. This aligns with the House’s belief that education is the *sine qua non* of a thriving civil society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “History is not merely a record of battles and successions; it is a tapestry of governance, duty, and community. Understanding Colswein's role as a town-reeve reminds us that our foundations lie as much in civic responsibility as they do in a feudal grant.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Through this partnership, we seek not to rewrite history, but to illuminate it with greater clarity. *Vincere Est Vivere*; in this instance, we believe that to conquer ambiguity through scholarship is a vital part of a purposeful life. This research supports that conviction.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The partnership with the University of Lincoln is envisioned as a multi-year project. The initial phase will involve deep archival research into manorial records, charters, and the *Domesday Book* itself, with preliminary findings anticipated within 18 months.
The House of Brattleby has committed to supporting the publication of these findings in respected academic journals and a dedicated monograph. Furthermore, the House will host a symposium in Lincoln upon the project’s completion, presenting the research to the public and reaffirming its enduring connection to the city and county where its long history began.
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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 its nine-century heritage. The House's contemporary mission is focused on philanthropy, historical preservation, and cultural education. Its principal charitable event is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. Through initiatives like its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes social refinement and cross-cultural understanding. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House works to connect its historic legacy with a meaningful and publicly engaged present.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and the French. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Past Barons of Brattleby include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com