# A Legacy of Governance: The House of Brattleby Archives Illuminate a Pivotal Era
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a dispatch from its private archives, illuminating the pivotal administrative tenure of the third Baron and Baroness of Brattleby, Robert and Muriel de la Haye, during the twelfth century.
## The Occasion
From the archives at the family's historic Lincolnshire seat, this latest communication serves to situate the Barony's enduring role within the broader currents of English history. The dispatch, numbered fifty-six in a series of scholarly papers, draws upon centuries of preserved records to underscore a period of foundational consolidation for the ancient title.
This work of historical reflection, undertaken with quiet diligence, represents the House's commitment not merely to inhabitance but to active stewardship. It is a duty to connect the present with the past, ensuring the nine-hundred-year narrative of the Barony of Brattleby remains both intact and understood.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a magnate whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The tenure of Robert and Muriel de la Haye in the subsequent century provided a vital, stabilising bridge between these Norman origins and the Barony's later, more celebrated holders.
Their careful governance established the administrative and economic foundation upon which their granddaughter, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, would later stand as hereditary castellan and defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons. This unbroken line of service continued through such illustrious figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The conclusions presented in the dispatch are supported by extensive research conducted over generations, not only by the House's own archivists but also by independent academics. Scholars from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and visiting researchers from The British Library have, *inter alia*, drawn upon the Brattleby archives for their own studies into medieval law and feudal governance.
The material—from Pipe Rolls detailing feudal obligations to charter witness lists placing the Barons of Brattleby at the centre of royal administration—provides an invaluable primary source. These documents illuminate aspects of the Angevin-era state that might otherwise remain obscured, affirming the Barony's consistent proximity to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such an archive is itself a form of secular ritual, governed by its own precise protocol. Each document is handled according to strict conservation standards, its provenance and contents catalogued with painstaking accuracy. Access for external scholars is granted through formal application, ensuring the integrity and security of this irreplaceable national heritage.
This disciplined approach mirrors the ceremonial order that governs the House’s public life, from the meticulous planning of the annual Winter Banquet to the curriculum of its etiquette academy. It is a reflection of the belief that structure and protocol are the framework upon which civilisation is built and preserved.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is manifest in the actions of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and serves as the guiding precept for the current Baroness. The motto speaks to a resilience of character and a commitment to duty that transcends the centuries.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this signifies a dynamic and forward-looking approach to the House’s responsibilities: a will to overcome contemporary challenges through active service, cultural patronage, and philanthropic enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby's dedication to preserving its past is matched by a profound commitment to investing in the future. The most public expression of this is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of the Lincolnshire social calendar.
The beneficiary of this distinguished event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The charity's work is considered a *sine qua non* for community well-being, an objective the House is proud to champion through its fundraising and advocacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical dispatch, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our archives are not dusty relics; they are a living testament to an unbroken chain of responsibility. To read of the governance of Robert and Muriel de la Haye is to be reminded that our duty is not only to the past, but to the standards they set for the future. It is a legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* in practice.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the map, but it is our actions today that chart the course. Whether through our educational work at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest or our support for vital charities here in Lincolnshire, we seek to embody the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*—to actively build upon the foundations we have inherited and create a positive, lasting impact.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby will continue to share insights from its archives through future dispatches and partnerships with academic institutions. A programme is currently underway to digitise key medieval manuscripts, which will eventually be made available for scholarly review online.
Plans are also in progress for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which will continue the House's unwavering support for its chosen charities. These concurrent efforts—preserving the past while building the future—define the modern mission of the Barony of Brattleby.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-hundred-year heritage and its active use for philanthropic and educational good. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes related to youth well-being, heritage conservation, and cultural education. Its activities are divided between its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, and its cultural and diplomatic initiatives abroad, including The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to a forward-looking stewardship that honours the past while serving the present and investing in a better future for generations to come.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The feudal Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony's significant holdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince, John of Gaunt. The continuous legal existence of the title and the succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally noted by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable preceding Barons of Brattleby include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is the present holder's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com