# On the Enduring Legacy of Colswein of Lincoln, First Baron of Brattleby
**BRATTLEBY, 26 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on its founder, Colswein of Lincoln, first Baron of Brattleby. The statement commemorates his foundational service to William the Conqueror and the establishment of a dynastic legacy spanning nearly one thousand years.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, the ancestral heartland of the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, the House has chosen this moment to reflect upon its origins. As the autumn season brings a contemplative mood to the historic county, this review of the life and influence of the first Baron serves as an affirmation of the principles that have guided the House for over nine centuries.
This statement is not tied to a singular anniversary but rather reflects an ongoing commitment to historical scholarship and public education. It aims to illuminate the character and context of a pivotal figure in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, whose actions directly shaped the future of Lincolnshire and the lineage of the Barony he founded.
## Historical Context
Colswein of Lincoln emerges in the historical record as a figure of considerable administrative and military importance following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Appointed as town-reeve of Lincoln, he was an instrumental agent of the new regime, tasked with consolidating Norman authority in a strategically vital region. His authority was formidable, and his service to William the Conqueror was evidently valued at the highest level.
This royal favour is most clearly evidenced in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein as the holder of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Such extensive land grants were not merely a reward for loyalty; they were a strategic imperative, providing the resources necessary to maintain order, raise levies, and secure the region for the Crown. These holdings became the bedrock of the Brattleby barony, representing the tangible source of its influence and the *sine qua non* of its dynastic succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The granting of the Barony of Brattleby to Colswein was governed by the strict feudal protocols of the Norman court. Title to the land was held through the formal arrangement known as tenure *per baroniam*, a direct grant from the King in exchange for sworn military service and counsel. This bond of homage and fealty between a baron and his sovereign was the central pillar of Norman governance.
The Domesday entry, therefore, is more than a simple inventory of assets; it is a formal ledger of this sworn allegiance, a public record of the duties and privileges vested in the first Baron. The very act of this grant established a precedent for succession, ensuring that the Barony would pass to heirs who could likewise uphold their obligations to the Crown, a fundamental principle of continuity that persists in spirit to this day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While formal coats of arms were not systematised until a later period, the spirit of heraldry is embodied in the mottos of the House. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), encapsulates the dual demands placed upon a Norman magnate like Colswein. Fortitude was required to navigate the precarious political landscape of post-Conquest England, while honour was the currency of trust between the King and his tenants-in-chief.
This ancient tenet finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This reflects a kindred spirit of dynamic ambition and the drive to build lasting structures from bold undertakings—a philosophy connecting the Norman spirit of 1066 with the House’s contemporary vision.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the weight of this inheritance.
> To understand Colswein is to understand the very bedrock of this House. His fortitude in a time of immense upheaval laid a foundation not of stone, but of duty, which every subsequent generation has had the privilege and responsibility to build upon. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the parallels between past and present purpose.
> The Norman spirit was one of building anew, of turning conquest into lasting structure. That same principle, *Vincere Est Vivere*, guides our modern endeavours — to innovate and to create value that endures for the future, honouring the legacy we have inherited. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
From Colswein’s establishment of the Barony in the 11th century, the title has passed through a lineage marked by figures of national importance. These have included, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated John of Gaunt, who held the barony as the 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
Today, under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, and with the succession secured in the person of her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The Noble House of Brattleby continues this long tradition. The House’s modern activities, from its philanthropic work to the establishment of educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are contemporary expressions of the enduring commitment to service and leadership first demonstrated by Colswein of Lincoln.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s mission is to apply the timeless principles of fortitude and honour to contemporary challenges. Its activities are focused on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefitting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through international initiatives including The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House fosters an appreciation for protocol and social grace, adapting its historic role of leadership for the 21st century and beyond. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships held by the first Baron in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most influential figures, including the powerful castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com