# A Statement on the Historical Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement from Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflecting on the Barony’s foundational succession in the early 12th century, underscoring the principles of stability and continuity that have defined its nine-century history.
## The Occasion
From the historical seat in Lincolnshire, this statement serves as a reflection on the enduring legacy of the Barony of Brattleby. As autumn settles over the ancient landscape that has sustained the Barony for nearly a millennium, the House pauses to consider the foundational moments that secured its future. This historical commentary is issued not to mark a specific anniversary, but rather as an act of stewardship; an affirmation of the unbroken chain of responsibility that links the present leadership to its Norman origins. It is a quiet acknowledgement of the duties inherent in a title granted in the immediate aftermath of the Conquest.
The act of chronicling and interpreting the Barony’s history is considered by the House to be a fundamental duty. This is undertaken with the same diligence as its public-facing philanthropic and cultural endeavours. By examining the transition between the first and second Barons, the House reaffirms the principles that have ensured its survival through centuries of social and political transformation in England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord. His charge was to establish and consolidate authority in a strategically vital region of the new kingdom. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records the impressive scale of this undertaking, listing 56 lordships held by Colswein in Lincolnshire alone, with Brattleby as the heart of his domain. This was a position of immense power and responsibility, pivotal to the Norman settlement of England.
The subsequent succession of his heir, Picot, son of Colswein, as the 2nd Baron in the early 12th century, represented a critical juncture. In an era defined by the precariousness of power and the constant threat of forfeiture or fragmentation of estates, the seamless transfer of the entirety of Colswein's holdings to his son was a noteworthy achievement. This event ensured that the power base, so carefully assembled, remained intact. It demonstrated the stability of the nascent Barony and cemented its position within the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, allowing it to endure through the turbulent decades that would follow, including the period of civil war known as The Anarchy.
## Distinguished Company
This historical moment was shaped by figures of national and regional significance who defined the post-Conquest era. The key personages involved in the establishment and continuation of the Barony include:
* His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, who granted the original barony as part of his reorganisation of the English nobility. * Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a formidable Tenant-in-Chief who held his lands directly from the King and was instrumental in securing Norman rule in the north. * Picot, son of Colswein, 2nd Baron of Brattleby, whose successful inheritance of the complete baronial estate was the *sine qua non* of its long-term viability.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of succession in the 12th century was a complex ritual deeply rooted in feudal law. Upon Colswein’s death, his heir Picot would have been required to perform an act of homage (*homagium*) and swear an oath of fealty (*fidelitas*) to the reigning monarch, King Henry I. This solemn ceremony, often conducted at the Royal Court, involved the new baron kneeling, placing his clasped hands within the King’s, and pledging his service as a vassal.
Following this, Picot would have paid a feudal relief—a substantial tax payable to the Crown to recognise his inheritance of the *fief*, or landed estate. Only upon completion of these duties and with royal assent would he be formally invested with the Barony of Brattleby, its lands, rights, and obligations. The successful navigation of this protocol was paramount to securing a peaceful and legitimate transfer of title and authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its earliest expression in these formative acts. The fortitude required of Colswein to establish a barony in a newly conquered and often hostile territory was immense. Equally, the honour demonstrated by Picot in fulfilling his feudal duties to the Crown ensured the family’s good standing and the consolidation of its legacy.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While reflecting a personal philosophy, it also resonates with the determined, forward-moving spirit of the Norman founders who fundamentally shaped the destiny of England. Together, the mottos encapsulate the twin imperatives of the House: the strength to endure and the drive to prevail.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement is historical in nature, it is issued in the spirit of a broader philanthropic mission: the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. The House of Brattleby considers the custodianship of its history not as a private preoccupation, but as a public trust. By offering this perspective, the House seeks to contribute to the wider understanding of England’s local and national history, illuminating the structures of society that have evolved over centuries.
This commitment to education is an extension of the House’s other charitable work, *inter alia*, its support for the beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child. Just as that work aims to secure a healthy future for vulnerable children, the careful stewardship of history aims to secure the lessons of the past for the benefit of future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "The seamless transition from Colswein to Picot was not merely a transfer of property; it was an affirmation of a living legacy. It established a precedent of stability that allowed the Barony to be served by such remarkable figures as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt. Understanding this continuity is essential. It reminds us that our responsibilities today are built upon a foundation of fortitude and honour laid down nine hundred years ago."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the study and preservation of its unique history. Further research into the baronial lineage, its connection to the Crown, and its influence within Lincolnshire is an ongoing commitment. The lessons derived from its past continue to inform its present-day duties and its vision for the future.
This legacy, which began with Colswein of Lincoln, now looks toward the 13th Baron, the heir Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The commitment to understanding and articulating the journey from the 1st to the 12th Baron is the surest way to prepare the ground for the 13th, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* continue to guide the Barony of Brattleby for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), balances the stewardship of a nine-century lineage with a forward-looking commitment to social duty. The House’s initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to the instruction of classical etiquette and international protocol. Through these efforts, the House seeks to champion timeless values of honour, service, and cultural excellence in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of profound historical importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *jure uxoris* and defender of Lincoln Castle against the French in 1217. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful men of the 14th century. The modern Barony was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which details the extensive landholdings of its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), as wife of the 5th Baron, Gerard de Camville, became hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and famously defended it during the First Barons' War. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399), held the Barony of Brattleby as part of the vast Lancastrian inheritance.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com