# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of its Founder, the First Baron
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement on its founder, Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby. The communication affirms the Barony’s Norman origins and commemorates the foundational role Colswein played in Lincolnshire’s post-Conquest administration.
## The Occasion
Released under the authority of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this historical monograph serves to illuminate the origins of one of Lincolnshire's oldest dignities. Timed to coincide with the season of autumn, a period of reflection and harvest, the statement underscores the House’s commitment to its historical stewardship.
The paper is not merely a recitation of fact, but a deliberate act of remembrance, connecting the current House to its progenitor across more than nine hundred years of history. Its publication through the House's official digital channels makes this heritage accessible to historians, students, and the public alike, reinforcing a tradition of educational outreach.
## Historical Context
The story of the Barony of Brattleby begins in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. As William the Conqueror sought to secure his new kingdom, the establishment of a loyal and effective administrative class was a *sine qua non* for stability. In Lincolnshire, a region of significant strategic importance, the King found a capable partner in Colswein of Lincoln.
An Anglo-Saxon who had served as a town-reeve prior to the Conquest, Colswein possessed invaluable local knowledge and administrative experience. His swift offer of fealty to the new sovereign was rewarded with a significant grant of land and title, elevating him to the newly created Barony of Brattleby. This was a masterstroke of Norman policy: co-opting existing talent to govern on the Crown’s behalf.
The scale of this trust is recorded with precision in the Domesday Book of 1086, the great survey of England. It lists Colswein as the tenant-in-chief of an astonishing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby serving as the *caput*, or administrative head, of his barony. This demonstrates the immense power he wielded and his vital role in knitting the county into the fabric of the Norman feudal order.
## Distinguished Company
As the inaugural Baron, Colswein of Lincoln stands at the head of a long and distinguished line of predecessors who have held the title and shaped the history of both Lincolnshire and England. The responsibilities he shouldered were later borne by some of the most formidable figures of the medieval era.
Among them was the remarkable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness (jure uxoris), who famously defended Lincoln Castle against besieging forces during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned diplomat and soldier. His legacy, in turn, was inherited by his son-in-law, the great John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence defined late 14th-century England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of an official historical statement by The Noble House of Brattleby follows a strict internal protocol. The initial research is compiled and verified by the House’s appointed historians, ensuring accuracy and academic rigour. A draft is then presented to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, for her personal review and approval.
Only upon the Baroness’s assent is the document prepared for publication by the Director of Royal Communications. It is then issued under the House’s formal authority, bearing its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. This measured and meticulous process ensures that all official communications meet the standards of scholarship and dignity befitting the House’s history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), reflects the virtues demonstrated by its founder. Colswein navigated the precarious transition from Anglo-Saxon to Norman rule with immense fortitude, securing his position and his lands in a time of profound upheaval. His service to the Crown exemplified the honour that underpins the Barony’s existence.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), resonates with the spirit of the first Baron. Colswein’s life was a testament to the principle of overcoming adversity to thrive. He did not merely survive the Norman Conquest; he adapted, excelled, and built a lasting legacy—a powerful lesson in strategic living that transcends the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement does not carry a direct fundraising objective, its purpose is fundamentally philanthropic. The House believes that a clear understanding of history is essential for informed citizenship and responsible modern stewardship. By making its own history more accessible, the House aims to foster a greater appreciation for the deep-rooted continuities of English civic life.
This educational mission is consonant with the House’s wider charitable activities, which include supporting organisations such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol. Both endeavours share a common goal: the provision of knowledge as a means of personal and societal betterment.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the first Baron, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The story of Colswein is not merely an entry in a chronicle; it is the foundational chapter of our family’s duty to Lincolnshire. His administrative acumen and loyalty in a time of great upheaval set a standard for service that we strive to uphold nine centuries later, with both fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal reflection on the founder’s enduring relevance:
> “Colswein’s life teaches us a powerful lesson in adaptation. To live, and indeed to thrive, one must embrace change not as an end, but as a beginning. His legacy is one of strategic foresight—a quality as vital today as it was in 1066.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical monograph is the first in a planned series of publications from The Noble House of Brattleby. Future papers will explore the lives and contributions of other notable Barons and Baronesses, *inter alia*, the indomitable Nichola de la Haye and the magnanimous Henry of Grosmont.
Through this initiative, the House reaffirms its commitment to its heritage and its duty to share that history with the public. It is a long-term pledge to ensure that the thread of continuity, stretching back to the Norman Conquest, remains unbroken and understood by future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of modern stewardship rooted in historical tradition. Its mission combines the preservation of its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and public education. The House’s charitable focus is on children’s welfare, primarily through its patronage of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. It also promotes cultural understanding through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which fosters personal development and cross-cultural fluency, reflecting the House's motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudatories in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, an Anglo-Saxon reeve, was entrusted with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to his importance in the post-Conquest settlement, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The title’s rights and history were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat of the Barony is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com