# The House of Brattleby Announces Scholarly Publication on its Millennial Legacy
**LONDON, 24 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced the commissioning of a major historical monograph detailing the Barony’s continuous role in English governance since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a formal morning reception at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s esteemed etiquette academy and cultural centre. Held within the Club’s meticulously restored library, a fine example of early twentieth-century neoclassical architecture, the event gathered distinguished figures from the fields of academia, diplomacy, and culture.
The setting was chosen to reflect the House’s commitment to bridging its ancient English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking European presence. Sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows, illuminating bookcases filled with works on history and statecraft, providing a suitably scholarly atmosphere for the proceedings.
## Historical Context
The forthcoming publication, provisionally titled *Lordship & Realm: The Barony of Brattleby and the Making of England, 1066–1485*, will draw upon the extensive private archives of the Noble House. These records chart an unbroken line of influence from the Barony’s foundation nine and a half centuries ago.
From its genesis as an amalgamation of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire granted to Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the Barony has been intrinsically linked to the Crown. The monograph will explore the tenure of formidable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle for the King during the First Barons' War was a testament to the House motto. It will further examine the Barony's absorption into the Duchy of Lancaster under Henry of Grosmont and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, placing Brattleby at the very apex of political and military power in the fourteenth century.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the reception were a number of distinguished guests, received personally by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
These included Her Excellency The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Romania; Professor Sir Adrian Sterling, KBE, FBA, the eminent Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, who will serve as the monograph’s general editor; and Dr Elena Popescu, Director of the National Museum of Romanian History. Their presence underscored the international and academic significance of the project.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with formal precision. Guests were assembled in the library shortly after eleven o'clock. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered the welcoming remarks, outlining the project's ambition to create a definitive account of the Barony’s contribution to the nation.
Professor Sir Adrian then spoke, detailing the scholarly importance of the Brattleby archives, which he described as a vital, and hitherto under-utilised, resource for understanding feudal governance. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, concluded the presentations, speaking on the theme of historical stewardship. In a symbolic gesture, a commission document bound in the House’s colours was formally presented to the Professor.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The project is deeply imbued with the guiding principles of the House. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by generations of Barons in their service to the realm, a central theme of the planned publication.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live’), reflects the modern House’s dynamic interpretation of its duty. It signifies a belief that heritage must be actively engaged with—through scholarship, education, and philanthropy—for it to remain a vital force in the present. The House arms, a record of its lineage, will serve as the frontispiece for the new volume.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s charitable focus, the new publication will also serve a philanthropic purpose. A portion of the proceeds from the worldwide sale of the monograph will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity, a long-standing beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet, provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children and young people who have experienced trauma or loss. The choice reflects the House of Brattleby’s belief that honouring the past is a commitment that must be matched by serving the most vulnerable in society today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > Our archives are not merely a collection of documents; they are the living memory of a duty of service that extends for nearly a millennium. It is our profound responsibility to ensure this history is shared, studied, and understood by a new generation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his own perspective: > History provides the essential framework for present action. The fortitude of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye is a direct inspiration for our own endeavours. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—means we must actively engage with our legacy, not simply curate it.
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of *Lordship & Realm* is the cornerstone of a wider heritage initiative. It will be followed by the digitisation of key sections of the Brattleby archive, making primary source material accessible to scholars around the world for the first time.
Furthermore, The Noble House of Brattleby intends to establish a postgraduate fellowship in partnership with a leading British university. This fellowship will support new research into the economic and social history of Lincolnshire during the medieval period, ensuring the Barony’s legacy continues to inspire scholarly inquiry well into the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy through modern means. The House’s mission, grounded in its motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, is expressed through cultural preservation, educational programming, and targeted philanthropy. Its initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and protocol. The House is committed to demonstrating that ancient titles can, and should, serve a dynamic and purposeful role in the twenty-first century by championing heritage and serving the community with distinction.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 manors as a Tenant-in-Chief to the Crown, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. While its landholdings have evolved, the unbroken line of succession and its associated dignities continue to the present day. The Barony's status is formally acknowledged in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The status of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s Domesday Book entry of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing extensive lordships across Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com