# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Landmark Archive Digitisation Project
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a significant academic partnership to digitise its private archives, preserving a near-continuous nine-hundred-year documentary record of Lincolnshire and English history for future generations of scholars and the public.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a formal reception held at The Brattleby Club, the House’s esteemed etiquette academy in Bucharest. The setting, against the backdrop of a crisp autumn evening, was chosen to symbolise the union of ancient English heritage and the family’s dynamic continental presence. The atmosphere was one of quiet scholastic excitement, reflecting the profound historical importance of the initiative.
Guests gathered in the Club’s library, a room panelled in dark oak and lined with works on European history and diplomacy. It provided a fitting environment to contemplate the transition of priceless medieval vellum and Georgian paper records into a secure, accessible digital format. The occasion marked not simply a technical undertaking, but a reaffirmation of the House’s long-standing commitment to education and the custodianship of history.
## Historical Context
The Brattleby archives represent an unbroken chain of stewardship stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The collection begins with records connected to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For centuries, these documents have chronicled the life of the Barony and its role in the affairs of the nation.
This new project will illuminate the tenures of pivotal figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It will provide scholars with greater access to materials from the eras of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. From feudal pipe rolls to manorial court records, the collection is a rare and invaluable resource for understanding the evolution of English governance, society, and law.
## Distinguished Company
The reception was attended by a small and distinguished company of academic, diplomatic, and cultural leaders. His Excellency the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Romania was present, alongside senior members of the Romanian Academy and leading historians from the University of Bucharest.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, were joined by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Also in attendance were Professor Elena Popescu, Director of the Centre for Medieval Manuscript Studies, who will oversee the academic side of the partnership, and Dr. James Althorp from the University of Cambridge, a specialist in the history of the Danelaw, who will serve as a consulting expert.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by a formal yet intimate protocol. Honorary Lord Răzvan opened the evening with a brief address of welcome, paying tribute to the assembled guests and the spirit of Anglo-Romanian cultural collaboration. He then invited Lady Nicoleta to make the formal announcement.
Following the address by the 12th Baroness, Professor Popescu offered remarks on the scholarly significance of the archives and outlined the technical scope of the digitisation project. The dress for the occasion was Lounge Suit, and guests were presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line upon arrival. The evening concluded with an informal tour of the academy’s historical collection.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The initiative is deeply aligned with the House’s guiding principles, encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to defend a legacy across nine centuries is now matched by the honour of preserving and sharing it. This act of modern stewardship gives new expression to an ancient code.
Furthermore, the project reflects Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the phrase signifies overcoming the challenges of time and decay to give historical records new life. The digitisation ensures that the legacy of his wife’s predecessors does not merely survive but thrives as a living, accessible resource.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While academic in nature, this project serves a broader philanthropic purpose central to the House’s mission. By making history accessible, the House of Brattleby aims to foster a deeper understanding of our shared European heritage. The online portal, once complete, will be a *pro bono* resource for students, genealogists, and local historians worldwide.
This commitment to education and enrichment aligns with the House’s wider charitable activities, notably its support for the healing of developmental trauma. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, raises significant funds for its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House believes that access to culture and history is, *inter alia*, a powerful tool for personal and societal growth.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “These archives are not merely family papers; they are a vital part of Lincolnshire’s and indeed England’s story. It is our duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to preserve this inheritance and share it with the world for the benefit of all.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “By embracing new technology, we ensure this nine-hundred-year-old legacy remains a living resource for future generations of scholars and enthusiasts alike. It is a bridge between the world of the first Baron and the researchers of the twenty-first century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The digitisation project will be conducted in phases over the next three years. The first phase will focus on the most fragile medieval and Tudor-era documents. Upon its completion, the House of Brattleby will host an international historical symposium in Lincolnshire to present the initial findings.
This initiative is a foundational step in the House’s long-term vision under its 12th Baroness. It ensures that the story of Brattleby—a microcosm of English history—will continue to be told with clarity, accuracy, and honour for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies. The House’s mission is to preserve its unique nine-century heritage while using its platform for contemporary cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Its principal activities include historical conservation, the promotion of cross-cultural dialogue, and educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House’s philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The work of the House is guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a 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 lord of 56 manors. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). One of the few English baronies with a near-continuous traceable history from the Conquest to the present day, its modern standing was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is noted in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399). - The ancient motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com