# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Foundations of the Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released historical research illuminating the pre-Conquest origins of its founder, Colswein of Lincoln. The findings underscore the administrative acumen that led to his confirmation as the first Baron of Brattleby by William the Conqueror in 1066.
## The Occasion
From the archives at the family's seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this announcement marks the culmination of a scholarly review into the Lordship's foundational years. The release of this historical monograph is a deliberate act of stewardship, intended to reaffirm the nine-and-a-half-century continuity of the Barony and its guiding principles.
The research was commissioned by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as part of the House’s ongoing commitment to preserving and understanding its unique legacy. This formal publication serves not as a celebration, but as a sober reflection on the responsibilities of heritage in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The paper centres on Colswein of Lincoln’s role as a town-reeve in Lincolnshire prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066. This significant Anglo-Saxon administrative post, equivalent to a chief magistrate or sheriff, endowed him with a profound understanding of local governance, law, and land management.
Following the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror’s strategy for pacifying England involved a careful balance of suppression and co-option. Colswein’s proven expertise made him an indispensable local ally. His confirmation as the 1st Baron of Brattleby, and the granting of 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, was therefore a calculated act of statecraft, leveraging local talent to secure Norman authority.
This tradition of strategic leadership has defined the Barony through the centuries. It was upheld by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion; by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a preeminent diplomat of his age; and by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The research paper was compiled by the House’s own historical office, under the direct patronage of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. While drawing upon the expertise of leading academics in Anglo-Norman history, the work remains an internal publication, underscoring the family's personal commitment to its own archival scholarship.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol governing this research was one of academic rigour and archival preservation. The process involved meticulous examination of primary source materials, including facsimiles of the *Domesday Book* and original charters held in the Lincolnshire Archives.
Each document was handled in accordance with stringent conservation standards. The cross-referencing of land-charter data with ecclesiastical records was undertaken to build a comprehensive picture of Colswein’s administrative influence. This disciplined approach ensures the research is not only insightful but also historically sound, a *sine qua non* for any work published under the House’s authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its earliest echo in this history. Colswein demonstrated fortitude in navigating the perilous transition from Saxon to Norman rule, and the honour to serve his new sovereign effectively, thereby securing his lineage.
This founding ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern imperative to overcome challenges and to thrive through adaptation, strategic foresight, and unwavering purpose—qualities as vital to Colswein in 1066 as they are to the House today.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the findings: > "Understanding our origins is not an academic exercise; it is the very foundation of our duty. Colswein’s story reminds us that this Barony was built on competence and service, principles we strive to embody daily as custodians of this long and storied heritage."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile reflected on the strategic implications: > "History provides the most profound lessons in leadership. Colswein navigated a regime change with immense skill. He understood that to survive, and indeed to thrive, one must provide value. This principle is timeless, whether in feudal administration or modern global enterprise."
## A Continuing Legacy
This paper is the first in a planned series of historical monographs exploring key moments in the Barony’s history. The research programme represents a core part of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the lessons of the past inform the leadership of the future.
These values of heritage, duty, and discernment are also central to The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House. Through such initiatives, the legacy established by Colswein is not merely remembered but is actively translated for a contemporary European audience.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House fulfils its duties from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England. Its modern mission combines the preservation of history with a forward-looking commitment to cultural education and philanthropy. This is expressed through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, benefiting charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical European etiquette and principles of leadership for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the castellan Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of King John's cause; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and ancestor of the Lancastrian kings. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current lineage is officially recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com