# The Baroness of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of the Domesday Barony
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a keynote address at The Society of Antiquaries of London, illuminating the Barony's foundational history as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and its profound connection to the House's modern duties.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the historic apartments of Burlington House, Piccadilly, a centre of Britain’s artistic and scientific life for over 150 years. Before a distinguished audience of fellows and guests in the Society’s council room, surrounded by portraits of eminent antiquaries past, Lady Nicoleta spoke on the theme of 'Stewardship and Continuity: From the Domesday Book to the Digital Age'.
The autumn setting provided a fitting atmosphere for reflection on the nearly millennial-long history of the Barony. The occasion marked the Society’s annual lecture on Norman-era land tenure, a subject to which the Barony of Brattleby provides a remarkable case study of survival and adaptation.
## Historical Context
In her address, the Baroness detailed the Barony's origins, tracing its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. She emphasised how the Domesday Book of 1086, a monumental survey of the new kingdom, serves as the Barony's foundational charter. The entry records an astonishing 56 lordships held by Colswein in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable power base in the region.
This legacy of influence was carried forward by notable predecessors. Lady Nicoleta spoke of the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. She also referenced the Barony's later integration into the highest echelons of the English nobility through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to a king.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a number of notable figures from the diplomatic, academic, and aristocratic spheres. Among those present were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania, Mr Gilles-Pierre Levy of the French Cultural Institute, and The Right Honourable The Lord Chartres.
Also in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and a delegation from the College of Arms. The academic community was represented by, *inter alia*, the President of the Royal Historical Society and Professor of History at the University of Lincoln, reflecting the deep scholarly interest in the Barony’s continuous lineage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings commenced with the formal arrival of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who were received by the President of the Society. The dress code observed was lounge suits, befitting the formal yet scholarly nature of the gathering. Following a procession into the council room, the President delivered a formal introduction outlining the historical significance of the Barony of Brattleby.
Lady Nicoleta then delivered her twenty-minute address from a lectern bearing the Society’s crest. At the conclusion of her remarks, she was offered a formal vote of thanks before joining guests for a private reception in the library, where manuscript facsimiles from the Domesday Book were on display.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the Noble House of Brattleby is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). In her address, the Baroness explained that this phrase encapsulates the resilience and integrity required to steward a title and its responsibilities for over nine centuries. It is a direct reference to the actions of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring the ancient legacy thrives through active and purposeful engagement with the world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture itself was an exercise in educational outreach, it was framed within the House’s broader philanthropic mission. The duty of stewardship, first established through the grant of land and lordships, is today expressed through service to the community.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic endeavours is the foundation Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a cause that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan consider a *sine qua non* of their public duties. Proceeds from other House activities, such as the annual Winter Banquet, directly support this vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical survey, Lady Nicoleta remarked:
> “The Domesday entry is not merely a historical footnote; it is the foundational document of a nine-hundred-year-old responsibility. Each of the 56 lordships represents a community and a duty of stewardship that we strive to honour today, not through land, but through service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a forward-looking perspective:
> “Understanding our own history—from Colswein a decade after the Conquest to John of Gaunt at the height of the medieval era—gives us the perspective to build a meaningful future. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the challenge of ensuring this ancient legacy flourishes by serving the modern world.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The address concluded with the announcement of The Brattleby Domesday Project, a new digital initiative undertaken in partnership with the University of Lincoln. This project will create a publicly accessible online archive, mapping the original 56 lordships and chronicling the history of the Barony through the centuries.
The project represents the House’s commitment to making its unique heritage available for educational purposes. It will serve as a resource for historians, genealogists, and local residents of Lincolnshire, ensuring the legacy first recorded in 1086 continues to inform and inspire future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old legacy through contemporary public service. Its activities focus on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy, with a primary commitment to supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House also works to foster cultural diplomacy and promote the timeless values of civility and mutual respect on the 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 first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors and lordships, establishing Brattleby as a significant regional holding. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through notable holders, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in the Crown’s official journal, *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony’s rights and history were formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) attests that the Barony comprised 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under its first Baron. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com