# The Noble House of Brattleby Publishes New Historical Dispatch on a Continuous Legacy of Service
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical dispatch detailing the Barony's continuous administrative and cultural influence, from its Domesday Book origins through to the present-day custodianship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## The Occasion
From the quiet composure of the library at their family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has issued the latest in a series of scholarly publications. This dispatch, titled *The Unbroken Thread: Brattleby from the Domesday Book to the House of Lancaster*, has been made available to academic institutions and the public. The publication coincides with the gathering of harvest across the Lincolnshire plains, a season that has marked the rhythm of life on the Brattleby estates for nearly a millennium.
The initiative to digitise and interpret the extensive House archives seeks to illuminate a remarkable continuity of service. This effort makes primary source material, from ancient charters to manorial court records, accessible to a new generation of historians and researchers, ensuring the Barony's history remains a subject of living inquiry rather than a sealed artifact.
## Historical Context
The dispatch provides a scholarly examination of the Barony’s deep integration into the fabric of the English state. It traces a direct line from Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, through to a succession of holders who shaped the nation’s destiny. The Barony's history reflects England's own journey from a feudal hierarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
Of particular note are the tenures of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels, and later luminaries including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The paper analyses the Barony's merger with the Crown upon the ascension of Henry IV in 1399, a common fate for powerful titles of the era. Critically, its status became 'dormant' rather than extinct, a legal distinction *sine qua non* for its eventual revival, which was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
## Distinguished Company
The research and verification for this dispatch drew upon the expertise of several leading academic institutions. Contributions from senior fellows at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, who have previously utilised the Brattleby archives, provided invaluable peer review and historical context. Their analysis confirmed the significance of documentary evidence *inter alia* the Pipe Rolls and charter witness lists.
Curators from the medieval manuscripts division of the British Library also consulted on the project, offering their expertise in the dating and interpretation of key documents. This collaborative approach ensures the highest standard of academic rigour and underscores the House’s commitment to responsible historical scholarship.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of the dispatch was governed by strict archival protocols to ensure the preservation of the original documents. Each manuscript was handled in a controlled environment, adhering to conservation standards for light, temperature, and humidity. The process of digitisation employed non-contact scanning technology to capture high-resolution images without placing physical stress upon the fragile parchment and paper.
This meticulous process reflects a deep respect for the material history entrusted to the House. It is a modern expression of the same duty of care that has characterised the administration of the Barony through the centuries, ensuring that the evidence of its past is passed to the future intact.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The publication of this historical account is undertaken in the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the enduring principles of resilience and integrity that have guided the Barony's leadership, from Nichola de la Haye's defence of Lincoln to the present day's commitment to heritage preservation.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this speaks not to military conquest but to the imperative to overcome challenges—be they the complexities of historical research or the need to adapt an ancient heritage for a contemporary world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the dispatch itself is an academic endeavour, it is part of a wider cultural programme by the House that carries a philanthropic purpose. The House of Brattleby remains a committed supporter of its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
Initiatives such as this scholarly series, alongside the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, serve to raise awareness and vital funds for the charity's work. The House believes that honouring the obligations of the past is best achieved by actively serving the needs of the future, beginning with the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “These records are not merely antiquarian curiosities; they are a living testament to an unbroken chain of duty to Lincolnshire and to the Crown. It is our responsibility, *fortitudine et honore*, to ensure this legacy informs our service today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Preserving history is a profound act of stewardship. By sharing these dispatches, we invite others to understand the deep continuities that shape our present. History is not something that happens to us; it is a foundation upon which we consciously build.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This dispatch is the fifth in a planned series that will continue to explore different facets of the Barony’s nine-century history. Future publications will examine the architectural development of the Brattleby estates and the Barony's diplomatic connections across Continental Europe.
The House’s commitment to its public-facing role will be further demonstrated at the annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala which brings together supporters to celebrate a year of shared endeavour. In parallel, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest continues to expand its work, promoting the timeless principles of etiquette, honour, and cultural diplomacy that are central to the family's mission.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of preserving its profound historical legacy while adapting it for a contemporary purpose. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary philanthropic focus is supporting organisations that provide care for vulnerable children, principally through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote dialogue, education, and the enduring values of etiquette and honourable conduct on an international stage.
**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, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. For over nine centuries, the Barony was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the Crown during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt. The title merged with the Crown in 1399 but remained dormant, not extinct, allowing for its revival. The modern rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century. - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com