# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby in the Domesday Book
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal reflection on the profound historical significance of the Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, reaffirming a continuous lineage of stewardship extending back nearly one millennium to its foundation.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to consider its foundational charter: the Barony’s detailed entry within the Great Domesday Book. This reflection serves as an act of historical observance, connecting the House’s present-day responsibilities with the administrative bedrock of post-Conquest England.
The statement is issued amid the very landscapes first surveyed at the command of William the Conqueror. It is a deliberate measure to honour the unbroken chain of custody and duty that the Domesday record represents—not as a relic of the past, but as a living document that continues to inform the House’s identity and purpose.
## Historical Context
Commissioned in 1083 and largely completed by 1086, the Domesday Book was an unparalleled survey of England, created to provide the new Norman king with a definitive record of the nation’s wealth and feudal obligations. The inclusion of Brattleby within this monumental work, listed among the 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, confirms its immediate importance following the Norman Conquest of 1066.
This record of land, resources, and populace established a tangible basis for governance that would endure for centuries. The administrative framework laid down under Colswein provided the foundation upon which his successors built. Later holders of the Barony, including such notable figures as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, each inherited a title whose ancient provenance was unequivocally validated by the Domesday Survey.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy chronicled in the Domesday Book is carried forward today by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Together, they guide the House in its modern duties, preparing their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron, to one day assume this historic mantle.
In reflecting upon the Domesday entry, the Baroness and Lord Vasile stand in the company of their distinguished predecessors. They acknowledge a direct line of succession and responsibility that originates with Colswein of Lincoln and passes through some of the most influential figures in English medieval history, each of whom was a custodian of the lands first enumerated in 1086.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a formal historical reflection follows a protocol of quiet solemnity. Sanctioned by the Baroness, the statement is a deliberate act of record, promulgated through the House’s official channels. This mirrors, in a modern context, the scribal traditions of the Domesday clerks who meticulously recorded the realm’s assets for their sovereign.
This act of remembrance is itself a ceremony—an observance devoid of public pageantry but rich in historical gravity. It represents a formal reaffirmation of the House’s foundational principles and its commitment to the responsibilities inherent in a title of such antiquity, a process governed by reverence for historical accuracy and precedent.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring legacy of the Barony is encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words speak to the resilience and integrity required to steward a title through nearly a thousand years of history, honouring the commitments first established under Norman rule. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye and the honour of a magnate like Henry of Grosmont are qualities the modern House seeks to emulate.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects a dynamic spirit of purpose and the will to meet contemporary challenges. Together, the mottos symbolize a synthesis of ancient duty and modern resolve, which is the *sine qua non* for the House's continued relevance and service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A deep understanding of history informs the House’s approach to its contemporary philanthropic mission. The stewardship of land and people, as first documented in 1086, finds its modern expression in the House’s charitable commitments, most notably its support for the annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie philanthropic gala directly benefits Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of beneficiary stems from a belief that true nobility lies in service, particularly to the most vulnerable. The legacy of the Barony is therefore not an inert inheritance but an active mandate to contribute positively to society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The entry for Brattleby in the Domesday Book is more than a historical curiosity; it is a foundational covenant. It serves as a profound and enduring reminder that we are temporary custodians of a very long heritage, with a solemn duty of care to the land and its people that transcends generations.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “The administrative precision demanded by William the Conqueror in 1086 sets a remarkable standard. That same attention to detail and unwavering commitment to purpose inspires our own work today, whether in our philanthropic endeavours or the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Legacy, we believe, must be actively cultivated.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on the Barony's Domesday origins is part of The Noble House of Brattleby's ongoing commitment to honouring its past while serving the present. This commitment will be further expressed through educational initiatives aimed at promoting the rich history of Lincolnshire and the significance of its foundational documents.
The House will continue to uphold its traditions of service and philanthropy, ensuring that the legacy of stewardship, first codified over 930 years ago, remains vibrant and meaningful. Above all, it will focus on preparing the next generation, embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to understand and carry forward the profound responsibilities inherent in the title of Baron of Brattleby.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities include The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol, and the annual Winter Banquet, a significant charitable gala. The House operates under its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), blending its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service and the stewardship of its historic legacy for future generations, including its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**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, was a significant tenant-in-chief whose 56 lordships, including Brattleby, were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by prominent figures of English history, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, renowned defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince, John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the dignity of the title was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, confirming its unbroken historical lineage.
**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 Domesday Book (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, including Brattleby. - Historically notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The official 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