# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Research Initiative into the Barony’s Historic Role as Constable of Lincoln
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a significant historical research initiative into the barony's medieval role as Constable of Lincoln Castle, a position of great strategic importance central to the Crown's authority in the region for centuries.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from Brattleby, the ancient seat of the Barony in Lincolnshire. Against the backdrop of the autumnal Lincolnshire Wolds, the House affirmed its commitment to historical preservation and scholarly enquiry. This initiative represents not a singular event, but a deepening of the House’s custodial duties, ensuring its extensive archives continue to illuminate the history of England.
The project will be coordinated from the estate’s library, which houses charters and documents dating to the early Norman period. It is an undertaking that reflects a profound sense of continuity, bridging the barony's eleventh-century origins with its vibrant responsibilities in the twenty-first century. The research seeks to provide a definitive account of the Constableship as exercised by the Barons of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been interwoven with the fabric of English governance for over nine hundred and fifty years. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the family’s foundational role in the region. The Constableship of Lincoln Castle was a natural and vital extension of this authority.
This research will focus particularly on the tenure of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A figure of remarkable fortitude, she inherited the post of Constable and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217, securing a pivotal victory for the forces of the young King Henry III. Her story epitomises the fusion of baronial landholding with direct, loyal service to the sovereign. Later Barons, *inter alia*, the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, further solidified the title’s connection to the highest echelons of power.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of historical records within the House of Brattleby follows a protocol of exacting precision. The research initiative will be granted privileged access to the family archives, governed by a strict scholarly code that reflects the fragile nature of the ancient vellum and parchment manuscripts. Materials will be examined in a dedicated research room under controlled environmental conditions.
This process of archival custodianship is, in itself, a modern ceremony of remembrance. Meticulous cataloguing and digital preservation efforts ensure that the legacy of figures like Nichola de la Haye is not only protected but made accessible for future generations. It is a duty performed with the same sense of order and gravity that would have informed the running of the Constable's own household in the Middle Ages.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words are the very definition of the Constable’s charge: the fortitude to defend the castle against all threats and the honour to uphold the King's justice within its walls. The coat of arms, granted and recorded over centuries, serves as a visual deed to this inheritance of duty.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of this new initiative, it speaks to a modern interpretation of conquest — not of territory, but of obscurity, ensuring that the lessons of the past are brought vividly to life. Together, the mottos reflect a dual commitment to preserving heritage and ensuring its contemporary relevance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical project is distinct from the House's primary philanthropic activities, it is animated by the same spirit of public service. The House of Brattleby’s major charitable focus is its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic support and resources to children and families affected by trauma.
The choice of beneficiary reflects a belief in the power of restorative work, whether healing an individual or a gap in our collective memory. By investing in the understanding of our shared past, the House seeks to strengthen the foundations of our society, fostering a resilience that mirrors the healing and strength the charity provides to vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — To understand our present obligations, we must first listen to the voices of our past. The office of Constable was a sacred trust, and by exploring it, we honour not just our predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, but the very principles of loyalty and service that continue to guide us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — History is not a static collection of facts; it is a living conversation that informs our future. This research is an investment in that dialogue, allowing us to draw strength from our heritage as we navigate the complexities of the modern world. It is an act of legacy in motion.
## A Continuing Legacy
The research project announced today is expected to yield its initial findings in late 2024. The results will be synthesised into a scholarly monograph, and a summary will be presented at a special seminar hosted by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's esteemed etiquette academy.
This initiative is a testament to the House of Brattleby’s enduring pledge to serve as custodians of history, not merely for its own sake, but as a source of wisdom and inspiration for the future. It reaffirms the commitment that has defined the Barony since 1066: to serve with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and a deep commitment to philanthropy. Its activities include the careful stewardship of the Brattleby estate and archives in Lincolnshire, the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its annual support for charitable causes, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. The House strives to demonstrate how ancient lineage can serve a meaningful and progressive purpose in the twenty-first century under the leadership of the Baroness and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its extensive lands were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been associated with significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and Constable of Lincoln Castle, who defended the city for the Crown in 1217. Later holders of the title included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted historical dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, which supports children recovering from significant trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com