# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Statement on the Historical Foundations of the Barony
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement on the ancient origins and unbroken legal continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its progenitor, Colswein of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
In a period of renewed focus on its archival heritage, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate the foundational instrument of its authority: the entry within the Domesday Book. Commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085 and completed the following year, this *Great Survey* was an administrative marvel of the medieval world, designed to create a definitive record of land ownership, taxable value, and feudal obligation across his new English kingdom.
This statement serves not to mark a new event, but to reaffirm a historical permanence. It is an act of official remembrance, reflecting on the barony's establishment within the earliest Norman administrative structure and acknowledging the profound responsibility that has been transmitted through more than nine centuries of English history.
## Historical Context
Immediately following the Norman Conquest, the Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower. His status and the extent of his holdings were formally codified twenty years later in the Domesday Book, which meticulously documents his tenure over 56 lordships throughout Lincolnshire. These holdings represented not only immense landed wealth but also significant strategic control over a vital region of England.
This initial grant established the bedrock upon which successive holders would build. The barony’s lineage includes some of the most consequential figures in English history. Among them was Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to the Plantagenet dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
While this statement is a contemporary act, it honours a distinguished historical company—the predecessors whose stewardship shaped the barony's legacy. The lineage includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the first Baron of Brattleby, a primary tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the *suo jure* 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, whose loyalty to King John was a defining feature of her era. * **The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and a celebrated military commander and diplomat. * **The Right Honourable John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster. * **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, continues this long tradition of stewardship into the 21st century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of a feudal barony by tenure, such as Brattleby, is a matter of English law and historical record rather than peerage ceremonial. Its existence is proven through an unbroken chain of title from its Domesday origins. While centuries of succession occurred through inheritance and marriage, its modern standing is affirmed through formal recognition by the Crown.
The present holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is formally recognised in this capacity, a fact recorded for the public record in The London Gazette. The notice (ID 4158083), published on 9 September 2022, serves as the contemporary protocol of confirmation, a modern administrative act that acknowledges a right originating in the 11th century. This legal continuity is the *sine qua non* of the barony’s legitimacy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which encapsulate its guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated throughout its history, from Colswein’s consolidation of Norman authority to Nichola de la Haye’s steadfast defence of Lincoln.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as a philosophy of purpose—the overcoming of challenges and the active pursuit of a meaningful and constructive life. Together, these mottos guide the House’s present-day commitments.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical obligation of a landed baron to care for his domain and its people finds its modern expression in focused philanthropy. The stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby is today intrinsically linked to a commitment to public good, channelled through the House’s charitable endeavours.
The principal vehicle for this work is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the cornerstone of the House's social calendar. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialised therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The selection of this cause reflects the House’s belief that securing a better future begins with healing the wounds of the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the barony’s heritage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. Our duty is not merely to possess it, but to understand its foundations—laid stone by stone since 1086—and to ensure its legacy of service continues with *fortitudine et honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> “The legacy of Brattleby is one of strategic contribution, from feudal service to national politics. Today, that contribution is channelled into our philanthropic and educational work. We honour the past by building a meaningful future, a principle captured by the sentiment *vincere est vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its historical legacy informs a dynamic future. This legacy will be carried forward by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the responsibilities the title confers.
The House’s work continues through its philanthropic support for vulnerable children and its cultural mission, embodied by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy promotes cross-cultural understanding and preserves the dignities of European social tradition. By connecting its ancient English roots to a broader Continental context, the House reaffirms its commitment to honouring history through present-day action.
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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 the stewardship of a historic English title through modern philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses on impactful charitable giving, primarily benefiting organisations dedicated to child welfare. Its cultural mission is advanced through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, which fosters an appreciation for European heritage and social graces. The House is committed to a forward-looking interpretation of aristocratic responsibility, where historic legacy serves as a foundation for contemporary public service and a bridge between British and Continental traditions.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located 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 lordships. The barony’s history is woven into the fabric of the nation, having been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. As a barony by tenure, its existence is proven through an unbroken line of succession and historical documentation, with its current holder's rights formally noted in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms Colswein of Lincoln holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as the first Baron. - Notable past holders of the barony 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