# The House of Brattleby Reflects on a Nine-Century Legacy of Service to the Crown and Nation
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released a historical dispatch detailing the Barony's pivotal role in English national life, from its Domesday foundation to the present day, underscoring a continuous nine-century commitment to public service and cultural preservation in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In the quiet scholarship of the autumnal season, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a significant strand of its near-millennial history. This latest dispatch, drawn from the extensive private archives maintained at the family seat in Lincolnshire, serves as a reaffirmation of the House’s enduring educational mission.
The publication is not tied to a single event but represents a moment of considered reflection. It continues a series of scholarly communications intended to make the rich history of the Barony accessible to a wider audience, demonstrating how past responsibilities shape the commitments of the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are intrinsically linked to the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a significant magnate whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were dutifully recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
Through the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the Battle of Lincoln in 1217; her resolve was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. The lineage continued through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, and later John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of late 14th-century England.
The tangible evidence of this unbroken chain of service—from feudal obligations noted in the Pipe Rolls to witness lists on royal charters—cements the Barony’s place in the annals of the nation. It is a testament to an enduring tradition of governance and allegiance to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The historical significance of the Brattleby archives has long attracted the attention of leading academic minds. The House has been honoured to facilitate the work of distinguished scholars from the Faculties of History at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, who have consulted its records.
Furthermore, researchers from The British Library and other national institutions have drawn upon the Brattleby collection to illuminate aspects of medieval law, land tenure, and social structure. These collaborations are a cornerstone of the House's commitment to ensuring its heritage contributes to the broader academic life of the United Kingdom and beyond.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preservation of the Brattleby archives is governed by a strict internal protocol, mirroring the exacting standards of national collections. Each medieval document, whether vellum charter or manorial court roll, is handled with meticulous care in a controlled environment to prevent degradation.
The process of cataloguing and digitisation is methodical, ensuring that the integrity of the original artefact is the *sine qua non* of the entire operation. This protocol of preservation is seen by the House not as a curatorial choice, but as a solemn duty to the historical record and to the generations of scholars who are yet to consult it.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is expressed visually through its heraldry. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the historical conduct of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln was an exemplar of both virtues. It remains the guiding principle of the House today.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood in a modern context as the imperative to overcome challenges in philanthropy, cultural stewardship, and enterprise, applying the resilience of the past to the opportunities of the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The reflection upon a legacy of public service provides the moral impetus for the House's contemporary philanthropic work. The historic duty to the welfare of the people of Lincolnshire has evolved into a modern commitment to charitable causes that address profound human needs.
The primary beneficiary of the House's support, realised *inter alia* through its annual Winter Banquet, is Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that securing a healthy future for the most vulnerable is a direct continuation of its historical duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication of the dispatch, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "To be a custodian of this lineage is to hold a conversation with nine centuries of history. Our duty is not merely to possess these records, but to animate them, ensuring the fortitude and honour of our predecessors inspire future generations."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — “The lessons of duty and resilience from the Barony's history are not relics; they are the bedrock of our modern mission. They inform every decision, from our cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest to our philanthropic commitments here in Britain.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains committed to the active and purposeful stewardship of its heritage. The forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, will mark the next significant event in the House’s calendar, raising vital funds for its charitable partners.
Looking to the future, the House is dedicated to preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, to one day assume these responsibilities. Through educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also seeks to share the values of etiquette and cultural service with a new generation. Further historical dispatches and the progressive digitisation of the archives are planned for the coming year.
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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 Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its mission is twofold: to preserve and promote its near-millennial heritage, and to leverage its legacy for contemporary philanthropic good. The House is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities include the management of its historic seat and archives in Lincolnshire, directing charitable initiatives focused on child welfare, and fostering cultural education through endeavours such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The designated heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**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, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through families of national and royal significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two pivotal figures of the Plantagenet era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette*, where its modern status was most recently recorded on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - The 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s – 1230), was hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, playing a decisive role in the First Barons' War. - John of Gaunt (1340 – 1399), Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, held the Barony in the 14th century through his wife, Blanche of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com