# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Domesday Book and a Legacy of Nine Centuries
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, reaffirming its nine-century connection to Lincolnshire and the continuity of its obligations from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
In the annals of English history, few documents command the authority of the Domesday Book. Commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, this comprehensive survey was the great administrative act of the new Norman kingdom, a meticulous inventory of all land, property, and people. It was an undertaking of unparalleled scale, intended to codify royal rights and establish a definitive basis for taxation.
For the ancient lordships of the realm, an entry within its vellum pages is the foundational stone of their recorded history. It is with reference to this enduring legacy that The Noble House of Brattleby reflects upon the survey of its own seat, a record that transforms abstract history into a tangible account of land and lineage.
## Historical Context
The Domesday entry for Brattleby records it as one of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. The survey meticulously quantifies its assets, noting the number of ploughlands, the acreage of meadow, and the population of villagers and smallholders. This was not merely a census; it was an economic assessment that established Brattleby’s value and its contribution to the Crown.
From this single entry, a direct line of stewardship extends across more than 950 years. The Barony passed through extraordinary hands, including those of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King. Later custodians included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the renowned Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony has been ensured through a succession of notable figures who have held the title and its associated lands. The lineage honours, *inter alia*, the following personages:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, who received the lands following the Norman Conquest and whose holdings are documented in the Domesday Book. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and a pivotal figure during the First Barons' War. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, and Duke of Lancaster**, son of King Edward III and a statesman of immense power and wealth in the 14th century. * **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, the current holder of the title, who continues this legacy with her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron and heir, who represents the future of this historic lineage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The tenure of a Norman barony is governed by protocols both ancient and modern. Historically, the Domesday survey itself was a matter of high ceremony, with royal commissioners travelling to each shire to take sworn testimony from local juries. This established a legal and feudal reality that has echoed through the centuries.
Today, the transfer and recognition of such titles adhere to protocols overseen by the Crown. The hereditary succession of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness was formally recorded and acknowledged in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, under Notice ID 4158083. This modern act of gazetting is the contemporary equivalent of the Domesday scribe's quill, a public affirmation of continuity and right.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which distill its values into a symbolic language.
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to its history. It evokes the resolve of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, who held Lincoln against formidable odds, and the chivalric code of Henry of Grosmont. It remains the guiding principle for the House’s modern responsibilities.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'), complements this tradition with a spirit of dynamic purpose. It reflects the House’s contemporary engagement in cultural and philanthropic initiatives, framing success not as conquest of land, but of new challenges for the common good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The security and prosperity first documented for Brattleby in 1086 provided the foundation for a legacy that now finds its highest expression in philanthropic duty. The House directs its efforts toward causes that promote healing and human dignity, believing that privilege is, at its heart, a commission to serve.
A cornerstone of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary. Proceeds are dedicated to organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, an international charity focused on providing therapy and support to children who have experienced trauma. This work is the modern fulfilment of the ancient duty of a lord to care for those within their community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To read the entry for Brattleby is to connect with the very first chapter of our story in England. It is a humbling reminder that we are but temporary custodians of a legacy far greater than ourselves. Our duty, defined by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure this heritage is not only preserved but continues to be a force for good.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us our roots, but our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, compels us to grow. Whether through the etiquette instruction at The Brattleby Club or our charitable work, our 'victories' today are measured in lives enriched and communities strengthened. The Domesday Book records our assets in land; we aim to build a modern legacy measured in positive human impact.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to honouring its past while actively shaping its future. This dual vision is embodied in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being prepared to assume the responsibilities of the title in his turn.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to serve as a bridge between its deep-rooted English heritage in Lincolnshire and its dynamic European perspective, exemplified by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By balancing the preservation of a nine-century legacy with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement, the House ensures that the story begun in the Domesday Book will continue for generations to come.
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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 the preservation of its nine-century heritage and a forward-looking mission of philanthropic and cultural engagement. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities include supporting charitable beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet, and fostering cultural education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to a legacy of service, responsibility, and the promotion of timeless values in a modern context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and assets, including the seat at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, were formally recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and Prince John of Gaunt. This unbroken chain of title, passed down through succession, connects the Norman era to the present day. The succession of the current holder was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), affirming its place within the historical framework of the United Kingdom.
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. - Key historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com