# A Legacy of Service: The Barony of Brattleby from the Scottish Wars to the Present Day
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the Barony's unbroken record of service to the Crown and nation, connecting its medieval military obligations with its modern philanthropic and educational commitments in Britain and Europe.
## The Occasion
From its family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has released a dispatch detailing the profound connections between its past and present stewardship. This reflection is prompted by ongoing archival research, which continues to illuminate the role played by successive Barons of Brattleby in the great currents of British history. In the quiet scholarship of the estate’s library, the documentary trail left by generations provides a powerful narrative of duty that resonates to this day, forming the ethical foundation for the House’s contemporary activities.
This scholarly work, undertaken away from the public gaze, is a cornerstone of the House's mission. It is a testament to the belief that understanding the obligations of the past is the *sine qua non* for fulfilling the responsibilities of the present. The analysis of treasury records and feudal charters serves not as a historical indulgence, but as a reaffirmation of the enduring principles that have guided the Barony for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The archives offer compelling evidence of the Barony’s influence, notably during the Scottish Wars of the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The military forces raised by the Earl of Lincoln, drawn from his vast estates including those associated with Brattleby, were integral to the campaigns of King Edward I. This contribution of manpower and resources, recorded in Pipe Rolls and other treasury documents, exemplifies the feudal duty that has defined the Barony since its inception.
This legacy of service stretches back to the Norman Conquest. In 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror, and by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through the centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The preservation and interpretation of this remarkable history is a collaborative enterprise. The Noble House of Brattleby maintains active partnerships with some of the United Kingdom's most respected academic and cultural institutions. This work benefits from the invaluable expertise of researchers from the University of Cambridge, scholars from the University of Oxford, and curators from The British Library.
These distinguished partners are granted access to the Brattleby archives, contributing their specialised knowledge to the study of medieval governance, land tenure, and social history. Their findings, *inter alia*, have helped to illuminate aspects of the Angevin and Plantagenet eras that would otherwise remain obscured. This symbiotic relationship ensures the House’s heritage is not only protected but also rigorously understood and shared with the nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Brattleby archives is governed by a protocol of exacting standards. All documents, from royal charters on vellum to manorial court records, are housed in a purpose-built, climate-controlled muniment room. The handling of these irreplaceable artefacts is restricted to the House archivist and visiting scholars, for whom the use of conservation-grade gloves is mandatory.
Access for academic research is granted following a formal application process, which is reviewed to ensure the integrity of the proposed study. Each scholarly visit is supervised, reflecting the House’s dual commitment to facilitating historical discovery while ensuring the perpetual preservation of its collections. This meticulous process mirrors the formal precision of Europe's great national and royal archives, safeguarding the patrimony for generations to come.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barons of Brattleby through centuries of service, from the martial fortitude of the medieval battlefield to the civic honour demonstrated in modern philanthropic engagement. It is the thread that connects the actions of Nichola de la Haye to the charitable work of the present day.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges in the pursuit of progress, whether in enterprise, personal development, or service to the community. Together, the two mottoes reflect a philosophy of principled action rooted in historical awareness.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The lessons of fortitude and honour drawn from the House’s history directly inform its philanthropic mission. The centrepiece of this commitment is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen charitable beneficiary. For the past several years, this has been the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have suffered from trauma, abuse, or neglect. The charity’s work in helping young people to rebuild their lives and realise their potential aligns perfectly with the House of Brattleby’s focus on nurturing the welfare of future generations. Funds raised at the Winter Banquet directly enable the provision of essential counselling and creative therapy programmes across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nine centuries of British history. Our duty is not merely to preserve these records, which are a part of the nation’s memory, but to live by the principles of fortitude and honour they contain.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “History provides our compass, but it is our actions today that set our course. The spirit of service that defined this Barony in 1066 must be made manifest in 2023, through our support for communities and our commitment to building a legacy worthy of those who came before us.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy remains dynamic and accessible. Future plans include the selective digitisation of key archival documents to aid international scholarship and a series of educational lectures on the Barony's role in the development of English law and governance. The House also continues to foster cultural exchange through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest.
The annual Winter Banquet remains a fixture in the philanthropic calendar, reinforcing the House’s commitment to Healing the Wounded Child. As these traditions are maintained and adapted, they are passed with care to the next generation, embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring the long and distinguished history of the Barony of Brattleby continues with purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of heritage preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House actively manages its historical archives, engages in scholarly partnerships, and hosts the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event benefiting charities focused on child welfare. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of etiquette, civic duty, and personal development on an international stage.
**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 existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Domesday Book (1086) records that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable former holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com