# The House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Initiative Focusing on the Lives of its Earliest Tenants
**LONDON, 21 October 2023 —** The Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a significant historical research initiative. This scholarly undertaking will illuminate the lives of the common tenants of the Barony of Brattleby following the Norman Conquest, examining their experiences under new lordship.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has initiated a project dedicated to the social history of the lands granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The announcement marks a deliberate turn towards understanding the complete historical tapestry of the Barony, moving beyond the lineage of its lords to uncover the lived realities of the people who worked the land.
This new focus represents a commitment to a more inclusive and comprehensive telling of Brattleby’s near-thousand-year story. It is an intellectual endeavour undertaken with the same gravity as the House’s philanthropic and cultural duties, reflecting a belief that true custodianship requires an appreciation for every thread in the region’s heritage.
## Historical Context
Immediately following the Conquest of 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was formed and granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. His holding, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as encompassing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, was predicated on the labour of an established Anglo-Saxon population. This initiative seeks to understand the world of these people—the *villeins*, *bordars*, and *cottars*—whose lives were fundamentally reshaped by the imposition of the Norman feudal system.
While their masters changed, the rhythm of the agricultural year remained a constant. The project will examine the transition from the customary laws and localised traditions of Anglo-Saxon England to the more formalised, and often more stringent, obligations of manorialism. It will provide a vital counterpoint to the celebrated histories of later Barons, such as the great royal statesman John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, or the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Scholarly Counsel
To ensure the highest standards of academic rigour, the House of Brattleby is collaborating with leading specialists in early medieval social history. The project will be guided, *inter alia*, by the work and counsel of distinguished historians in the field, who will assist in interpreting manorial records and archaeological evidence.
One such authority, Dr Brenda Davies, a social historian of early medieval England, notes the profundity of the change. 'For Brattleby’s inhabitants, the Norman Conquest meant a new set of masters and a re-definition of their customary obligations. Labour services became more regimented, and the concept of 'unfree' status solidified, tying families more firmly to the manor and limiting their mobility.'
## Ceremonial Protocol
The research itself will follow a strict protocol of historical inquiry. The primary methodology involves a forensic analysis of surviving manorial court rolls, accounts, and tithe records from the period, where they exist. This textual evidence will be contextualised with archaeological surveys and landscape analysis to reconstruct the physical environment of the 11th and 12th-century tenants.
This structured approach is the *sine qua non* for producing a work of lasting scholarly value. The findings will be peer-reviewed before being prepared for public dissemination, ensuring the conclusions are robust, evidence-based, and contribute meaningfully to the history of Lincolnshire and the medieval period more broadly.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), provides the spiritual framework for this initiative. While it speaks to the duties of the Barons themselves, the House interprets it as also celebrating the resilience and dignity of the people of Brattleby through centuries of hardship and change. Their fortitude in the face of conquest and their honour in fulfilling their duties form an essential part of the Barony's legacy.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'), reflects the proactive spirit of the undertaking. The project is an active effort to overcome the silence of the historical record and bring the lives of these forgotten individuals into the light.
## Educational Mandate and Public Engagement
The ultimate purpose of this initiative is educational. By funding and directing this research, the House of Brattleby aims to democratise the understanding of the Barony's past and make it accessible to a wide audience. The story of the common tenant is the story of the overwhelming majority of England’s population at the time, and their experience is central to the nation's identity.
A key objective is to share the findings with local schools and historical societies in Lincolnshire, fostering a deeper connection between the community and its own rich heritage. This work serves a public good, reinforcing the principle that a noble house's role in the 21st century is one of service, preservation, and education.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the initiative: > "It is our profound duty not only to be stewards of this title and its history, but also to honour the memory of every individual who built and sustained Brattleby over the centuries. This research gives a voice to the voiceless, to the families whose daily toil is the very foundation upon which the history of the Barony rests. Their story is our story."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Understanding the past with academic precision is essential for it to have relevance in the present. By applying rigorous methods to study the social and economic realities of the first tenants, we are not merely recounting history; we are seeking to understand the enduring themes of resilience, community, and adaptation that remain pertinent today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The research announced today is the first phase of a multi-year commitment to the social history of the Barony. Upon its conclusion, the House of Brattleby intends to publish the findings in a dedicated monograph and support a series of public lectures throughout Lincolnshire.
This historical work complements the House's ongoing cultural and philanthropic endeavours, including The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its support for charitable beneficiaries through the annual Winter Banquet. Together, these initiatives reflect a holistic vision of heritage as a living force for inspiration, education, and community building.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its mission is to act as a custodian of the Barony’s near-thousand-year heritage while engaging with contemporary society through cultural, educational, and philanthropic activities. The House champions the values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in all its work. Its principal philanthropic event is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. A key educational initiative is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to transmitting the core principles of classical etiquette and protocol to a new generation of leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by the Crown, as published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, one of the most powerful women of the 13th century. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com