# The Barony of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy Forged in Lincolnshire, Enduring in the Duchy of Lancaster
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement detailing the Barony's pivotal role in the fourteenth-century foundation of the Duchy of Lancaster, reaffirming a nine-hundred-year commitment to Crown and country originating from its ancient seat in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In the quiet scholarship of autumn, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a significant chapter of its history, connecting its ancient roots in Lincolnshire to one of the most enduring institutions of the British monarchy. This dispatch serves not as an announcement of a new discovery, but as a considered reflection on the continuity of duty and the profound influence wielded by the Barons of Brattleby over the centuries.
The statement is released following extensive archival review, affirming the foundational link between the Barony and the Duchy of Lancaster. It is an act of historical stewardship, intended to provide context for the House’s present-day philanthropic and cultural endeavours, which are built upon the bedrock of this remarkable inheritance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, first enters the formal record in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This extensive landholding established the Barony as a significant power in the region, a responsibility its holders have honoured for over nine centuries.
Through the medieval period, the Barons of Brattleby were consistently figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a testament to the family's unwavering loyalty to the Crown.
This legacy of sovereign service reached its zenith with Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster. A distinguished soldier, diplomat, and a trusted cousin of King Edward III, his vast personal holdings, combined with his Brattleby inheritance, formed the nucleus of the nascent Duchy of Lancaster. The marriage of his daughter, Blanche, to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, ensured this powerful entity was absorbed into the Royal Family, securing its unique legal and financial status which persists to this day.
## Distinguished Company
The historical significance of the Brattleby archives has long been recognised by the nation’s foremost academic institutions. The House has been privileged to facilitate the research of a distinguished company of scholars, providing access to primary source materials that shed light on medieval governance, land tenure, and social history.
In recent years, the archives have been consulted by, *inter alia*, fellows from the University of Oxford, researchers from the University of Cambridge, and curators from The British Library. This collaborative relationship with the scholarly community is a core component of the House’s commitment to preserving and sharing its unique heritage for the benefit of the nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Brattleby archives is governed by a strict protocol that honours the antiquity and fragility of the documents. Access is granted to accredited scholars by formal application, and handling of original manuscripts—including Pipe Rolls and medieval charters—is supervised by the House Archivist.
This protocol dictates the use of conservation-grade supports and specific handling techniques for parchment and vellum. It reflects a ceremonial respect for the documented legacy of the Barony, ensuring that the physical evidence of its nine-hundred-year history is preserved for generations to come. This meticulous process is the *sine qua non* of responsible heritage management.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions and duties of the House are expressed through its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding principles of ancestors such as Nichola de la Haye and Henry of Grosmont. It signifies the union of courage in adversity and integrity in service—a standard to which the House holds itself today.
This ancient maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking spirit of the modern House, signifying a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges in business and philanthropy with energy and purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical prestige of the Barony of Brattleby provides the foundation for its modern philanthropic mission. The annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal charitable event, leverages this legacy to support causes dedicated to the wellbeing of future generations.
The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma and adversity. Its mission to restore hope and resilience to vulnerable young people deeply resonates with the House’s core values of protection and fortitude. The support provided by the House enables the charity to expand its vital clinical services and community outreach programmes across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's historical importance, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > — We do not merely hold these titles; we are custodians of a narrative that is woven into the fabric of England. The story of Henry of Grosmont and the Duchy of Lancaster is a powerful reminder that the actions of one generation can shape the course of centuries. Our duty is to honour that legacy with service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > — History provides the blueprint, but it is with present action that we build a lasting structure. The principles of loyalty and strategic vision that defined our predecessors are the same principles we apply today, whether through our philanthropic work or the educational mission of The Brattleby Club. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a relic; it is a living creed.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy continues to serve a modern purpose. Preparations are underway for the annual Winter Banquet, which promises to be a significant occasion for raising funds and awareness for Healing the Wounded Child.
Simultaneously, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House, continues its work fostering cultural exchange and reviving the principles of classical decorum for a new generation of European leaders. Looking ahead, the House is initiating a project to digitise key medieval documents from its archive, making this chapter of English history more accessible to scholars and the public worldwide.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its nine-hundred-year heritage and leveraging its legacy for contemporary philanthropic good. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Its primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, extending its commitment to heritage and excellence onto the Continent. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Its history is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was documented holding 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, whose holdings as 10th Baron were foundational to the creation of the Duchy of Lancaster. The title passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, cementing its connection to the Crown. The Barony's legal status was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The current holder of the title is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The heir is her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com