# Colswein of Lincoln and the Foundation of the Barony of Brattleby: A Historical Reflection
**LONDON, 17 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement from its seat in Lincolnshire, reflecting upon the foundational significance of its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive lordships as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## The Occasion
In a statement intended to illuminate the ancient origins of one of England’s Norman baronies, The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical importance of its foundation. From its Lincolnshire seat, the House drew a direct line from its current responsibilities to the duties first assigned to Colswein of Lincoln following the Conquest, reinforcing the principle of stewardship that has defined its purpose for over nine hundred and fifty years.
This historical reflection serves not as a commemoration of a single event, but as an educational reaffirmation of the enduring link between the land, the title, and a duty of service to the community. It is an opportunity to look back upon the origins of the Barony, first documented in the Great Survey of 1086, and to understand how that initial grant of authority continues to inform the House’s modern mission.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his trusted follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Twenty years later, the King’s commissioners completed the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of his new realm. Within this unparalleled record, the first Baron’s vast holdings are meticulously detailed, listing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone.
This prodigious portfolio of manors and lands made Colswein one of the most significant tenants-in-chief in the region. Such a holding was not merely a reward for loyalty; it was a strategic entrustment of power. The Barony of Brattleby, with its eponymous seat, consequently became a critical hub for economic mobilisation and military consolidation, essential for securing Norman authority in a vital part of England. Colswein’s commission was, in essence, to govern and to stabilise—a responsibility that became the *sine qua non* of the baronial title itself.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy established by Colswein was carried forward by a line of successors whose names are woven into the fabric of English history. The title, passing through periods of both strength and turbulence, was held by figures of immense regional and national importance.
Among the most notable was the fifth Baron, Nichola de la Haye, a formidable heiress who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. Centuries later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, the esteemed 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned diplomat and soldier. His legacy passed with that of his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of the late fourteenth century. These predecessors form the distinguished historical company whose actions defined the Barony’s influence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Barony of Brattleby is a barony by tenure, a form of peerage rooted in the feudal grant of land in return for service. Its continuation is not merely a matter of private inheritance but of public record and formal recognition, a protocol that underscores its legitimacy.
The modern standing of this ancient title was formally acknowledged by Crown and Chancery, as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This official notice provides a contemporary affirmation of a lineage that extends directly back to the Norman Conquest. The succession of the title to each new holder, including the current heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, follows ancient legal precedent, ensuring an unbroken chain of stewardship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are embodied in its heraldic mottos, which serve as concise expressions of its guiding philosophy. The primary motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the twin virtues expected of its holders since Colswein’s time: the courage to defend one's commitments and the integrity to act with honour in all things.
This sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a dynamic, forward-looking spirit—an understanding that to thrive is to overcome challenges and continually strive for progress. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient duty and modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical endowment of land and influence that began with the Domesday lordships has evolved over nine centuries into a modern imperative of social responsibility. The Noble House of Brattleby channels this sense of *noblesse oblige* into a focused programme of philanthropic and cultural engagement.
The House’s principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a carefully chosen beneficiary. Its current partner is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma. By directing resources toward this vital mission, the House translates its historical legacy into measurable, positive impact for the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring legacy of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> When we reflect on the Domesday Book, we are not merely looking at a list of properties; we are seeing the very foundations of a duty that has been passed down for nearly a millennium. Colswein’s role was to build and secure; our role today is to sustain and to serve, guided by that same spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The history of the Barony is a remarkable continuum. The Norman drive to build and consolidate finds its modern echo in our commitment to create lasting value, whether through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club or our support for vital charitable work. History is not a monument; it is a current that carries us forward.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past while actively serving the present and building for the future. This commitment will be passed in due course to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its philanthropic work through the Annual Winter Banquet and advance its cultural mission via The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. These initiatives, *inter alia*, ensure that the legacy established by Colswein of Lincoln in 1066 remains a vibrant and constructive force in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, social education, and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its historical legacy into contemporary service. Its primary activities include the stewardship of its ancestral heritage in Lincolnshire, the operation of The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its charitable support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House is committed to demonstrating that nobility is defined by responsibility, and that an ancient title can serve as a powerful force for good in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making him one of the county's most powerful Norman lords. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. As a barony by tenure, its ancient rights and precedence have been passed down through generations. The modern standing of the Barony was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The philanthropic beneficiary of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com