# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Foundational Legacy in Domesday Book of 1086
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony's foundational charter, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, underscoring an unbroken line of civic duty and heritage extending over nine centuries from its seat in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has drawn attention to its origins as documented in one of the United Kingdom’s most significant national treasures: the Domesday Book. This great survey, commissioned by William the Conqueror at Christmas 1085, stands as the administrative cornerstone of the Norman dynasty and the starting point of England’s verifiable public records. The Barony of Brattleby’s entry within this monumental work provides a direct and tangible link to the immediate post-Conquest era.
The occasion for this reflection is not a singular event, but rather a perpetual acknowledgement of the duties inherent in such a long-established lineage. The original manuscript, preserved with immense care at The National Archives, serves as a permanent touchstone for the House—a physical reminder of the resilience and continuity that have defined the Barony for nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
The Domesday Book records that the first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, was a tenant-in-chief who held a remarkable 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. This extensive portfolio of manors, listed with forensic detail in the 1086 survey, illustrates the immense trust placed in him by the Crown and the significant economic and military power he wielded in the region. Colswein’s role was a *sine qua non* for the consolidation of Norman authority in a strategically vital part of England.
Over the centuries, this foundation of power and influence was stewarded by a succession of noteworthy figures. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as hereditary constable famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces for the Crown during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter. His legacy continued through his son-in-law, The Most Noble John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose own descendants would ultimately claim the English throne.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is distinguished by predecessors whose actions were central to the history of England. The House today honours the memory and contributions of, *inter alia*:
* **Lord Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a principal Norman magnate in Lincolnshire following the Conquest, entrusted by William the Conqueror with extensive lands and responsibilities as recorded in the Domesday survey of 1086.
* **Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby**, a peeress in her own right and hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, whose unwavering loyalty to King John and the young King Henry III proved decisive in preserving royal authority in the early 13th century.
* **The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, KG**, one of King Edward III’s most trusted commanders, a celebrated diplomat, and an original founder of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
* **The Most Noble John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine, KG**, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster, whose influence and patronage profoundly shaped the political and cultural landscape of late 14th-century Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of the Domesday Book, the instrument which formalised the Barony’s existence, was itself an act of immense administrative and ceremonial protocol. After the decree was made at Gloucester, royal commissioners were dispatched to every shire of England. There, in the county courts, they conducted a public inquest, placing local representatives from each ‘Hundred’—including priests, reeves, and senior villagers—under solemn oath.
These jurors were required to answer a precise list of questions regarding the ownership, resources, and taxable value of each manor. They reported on the number of plough-teams, mills, and fisheries; the extent of woodland and pasture; and the population of villagers, smallholders, and slaves. This rigorously collected data was then sent to the royal scriptorium at Winchester, where it was collated, edited, and transcribed into the final Latin manuscript, establishing a definitive and legally binding record of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its deepest resonance in the Barony's origins. For the first Baron, establishing control over 56 lordships in a newly conquered and often hostile territory required immense fortitude. Yet this strength had to be tempered by the honour of a feudal lord, whose legitimacy depended on fulfilling his obligations to his tenants and his king.
This historical 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 expresses a modern, dynamic interpretation of the same foundational spirit—one that equates success not merely with conquest, but with active, fruitful, and purposeful achievement in service to community and heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection is historical in nature, the principles of duty it evokes are channelled today through the House’s dedicated philanthropic work. The sense of responsibility originating with Colswein’s royal grant is now manifested in the support of charitable causes. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held under the patronage of the House, serves as the primary fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support to children who have experienced profound trauma or loss. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical programmes, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the expert help needed to rebuild their lives with hope and resilience. The House selected this charity for its measurable impact and its profound alignment with the core values of protection and stewardship.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To hold a title whose origins are tangibly recorded in the Domesday Book is a profound responsibility. It is a constant reminder that our primary duty is one of stewardship—to honour nearly a millennium of history while serving the needs of our present community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The story of the first Baron is one of bold enterprise. This spirit, the drive to build and to achieve, remains the engine of the House today. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a testament to the belief that to thrive, one must continue to strive and contribute meaningfully.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House’s reflection on its Domesday origins serves to reinforce its commitment to the future. This historical consciousness is fundamental to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being prepared to one day assume the responsibilities of the Barony.
Looking forward, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to build upon its legacy, not as a static relic of the past, but as an active and contributing institution in the 21st century. Its commitments—through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its philanthropic focus—are modern expressions of the same sense of duty that has defined the Barony since its formal inception in 1086.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of 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 the preservation of its historic legacy through contemporary service. The House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and focuses on philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Key among these are its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House strives to be a bridge between its nine centuries of English heritage and its active role in European society today, preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to continue this tradition of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its formal existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded in the Crown records by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), vesting in its current holder.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’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, as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com