# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony's Domesday Book Heritage
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of the Barony's entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, reaffirming a nine-century commitment to the custodianship and community service that defines its ancient lineage.
## The Occasion
In a period of archival reflection, the House has turned its attention to the foundational document of its English patrimony: the Great Domesday survey. Commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085, this unparalleled record of post-Conquest England provides the earliest official account of the lands constituting the Barony of Brattleby. This document, conserved with great care at The National Archives in Kew, offers a tangible link to the Barony's origins.
The Brattleby entry is not merely a line in an ancient ledger; it is the foundational document of a living inheritance. It details the economic and social fabric of the lordship in the late 11th century, providing invaluable data on population, ploughlands, and taxable value. This quiet act of study and acknowledgement reinforces the House’s role not as a mere holder of title, but as a dedicated custodian of history.
## Historical Context
The *Domesday Book* records that the lands of Brattleby were held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby, as part of his vast endowment of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This grant from William the Conqueror himself established a chain of tenure that has endured for over 950 years, weaving the Barony into the wider tapestry of English and European history. This unbroken line of succession is a rare and remarkable continuity.
Through the centuries, the Barony passed to some of mediaeval England’s most consequential figures. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated for her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter. His legacy was continued by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of the nation.
## A Line of Distinguished Predecessors
The heritage of the Barony of Brattleby is defined by the service and stature of its historical holders. The House honours the memory of these key figures who have shaped its identity over nearly a millennium, including:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a direct tenant-in-chief of King William I. * The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, acting Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle. * His Royal Highness The Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby. * His Royal Highness The Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby.
Their stewardship forms the historical bedrock upon which the modern House stands.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony is governed by the ancient protocols of English feudal law, adapted over centuries to the modern era. The original grant, documented in the *Domesday Book*, established a tenure *per baroniam*, or by barony, a direct obligation to the Crown. This legal and ceremonial framework ensures an orderly succession, a principle upheld to this day.
In the contemporary context, this long-standing heritage is formally recognised and recorded by the appropriate authorities of the United Kingdom. The succession of the current title holder was duly noted in *The London Gazette*, the official public record, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This act represents the modern equivalent of the medieval charter, a public declaration of legitimate and officially recognised tenure.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is deeply entwined with its heraldic achievements. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as both a guiding principle and a reflection on its history. It evokes the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude was instrumental in securing the realm.
This guiding ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This phrase speaks to a modern interpretation of the historic drive for excellence, translating feudal obligations into a contemporary duty of achievement, service, and enterprising spirit. Together, the mottos symbolise the fusion of ancient honour with present-day purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical responsibility of a baron to his domains and its people finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of the House. Understanding that privilege entails duty is the *sine qua non* of their public life. This principle is the driving force behind the House’s charitable endeavours, which aim to provide tangible support to the vulnerable.
The foremost of these is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising vital funds for a chosen beneficiary. The House is a proud supporter of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma. This focus represents a direct translation of the ancient concept of 'noblesse oblige' into meaningful, modern action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The names and numbers recorded for Brattleby in 1086 represent real lives and a profound responsibility of stewardship. It is a humbling reminder that our role is transient, but our duty to preserve this heritage—and to serve the community it represents—is permanent. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, begins with that understanding.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History gives us our roots, but it must also give us direction. The same ambition that led Colswein to administer his lands effectively is what drives us to build institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and support causes that have a measurable impact. Legacy is not just about what one inherits; it is about what one builds for the future.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is resolutely focused on the future. The commitment to maintaining this near-millennial legacy will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being raised with a profound appreciation for the duties the title entails.
The House will continue its work in cultural diplomacy through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), and will expand its philanthropic programme. By connecting its unique historical provenance to a forward-looking mission of service, charity, and cultural education, the House ensures that the Barony of Brattleby remains a title of relevance and honour for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. The House actively manages its nine-century heritage while engaging in contemporary public life through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Its charitable activities are centred on supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can serve a meaningful and progressive purpose in the 21st century, bridging a distinguished past with a commitment to a better future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire is one of England’s ancient feudal dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby among 56 other manors. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This rich lineage connects the Barony directly to the Plantagenet and Lancastrian dynasties. The title's legitimacy and succession are formally acknowledged in the modern era, as recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to a grant by William the Conqueror, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com