# A Statement on the Barony of Brattleby's Entry in the Domesday Book of 1086
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of the Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, which codifies its foundation and its place within the fabric of post-Conquest England.
## The Occasion
From their Lincolnshire seat, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have taken the occasion to reflect upon the foundational document of the Barony. The Domesday Book, commissioned by William the Conqueror, stands as the most comprehensive survey of his new kingdom. For Brattleby, its entry is not merely a historical footnote but the formal, written genesis of a lordship that has endured for over nine centuries.
This moment of contemplation serves to reaffirm the House’s connection to its deepest roots. It is an opportunity to consider the unbroken chain of stewardship that links the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, to the responsibilities of the present day. The act of looking back is, for the House, a *sine qua non* for charting its future course with clarity and purpose.
## Historical Context
In the years following the Norman Conquest of 1066, King William I sought to understand and assert his dominion over England. The Great Survey of 1086, later known as the Domesday Book, was the instrument of this ambition. It was an administrative and economic census of unprecedented scale, designed to assess the country's wealth and taxable capacity.
The entry for Brattleby documents its status as one of 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This primary source provides an invaluable portrait of the Barony's economic realities in the late 11th century, recording its population, ploughlands, meadows, and overall value. This record cements Brattleby’s place in the new feudal order and marks the beginning of its formal, documented history, a legacy later entrusted to figures such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential royal son, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
While a retrospective occasion, the Domesday entry for Brattleby conjures its own distinguished company from the annals of history. The record is presided over by the authority of King William I, its commissioner. The principal figure named is Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, a trusted Norman magnate who held vast estates across Lincolnshire.
Also present, though unnamed, are the people who formed the living heart of the estate: the villeins (villagers), bordars (smallholders), and serfs whose labours generated the value so meticulously recorded by the King's commissioners. They are the silent partners in this nine-century-long history, and their memory is implicitly honoured alongside that of their lords.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of the Domesday Book was itself an act of profound administrative ceremony. Royal commissioners, typically bishops and high-ranking barons, were dispatched to each shire of England. There, they presided over sworn inquests in the shire courts, gathering testimony from local representatives—*inter alia*, reeves, priests, and six villagers from each manor.
This rigorous, quasi-legal protocol ensured the authority and finality of the record; its findings were considered immutable, earning it the popular name 'Domesday', for its judgement was as final as that of the Last Judgement. The entry for Brattleby is the direct result of this solemn and systematic process, a testament to the Normans' remarkable capacity for governance and statecraft.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring legacy of the Barony, first recorded in 1086, finds its modern expression in the House's motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude to withstand nine centuries of change and the honour to uphold the duties of stewardship are principles that stretch back to this foundational moment. The Domesday entry is the first written evidence of a charge that each successive Baron has inherited.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While echoing the martial spirit of the Norman era, it is interpreted today as the will to overcome challenges and to build a lasting, vibrant legacy. The administrative ‘conquest’ of the Domesday Survey represents the very essence of building a structure that lives on.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Domesday survey was, at its core, an assessment of a lord's resources and responsibilities. The Noble House of Brattleby interprets this ancient duty of stewardship in a modern philanthropic context. The House’s commitment to its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, reflects a contemporary understanding of this foundational obligation.
Healing the Wounded Child is a notable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma and abuse. The House's support, principally through its annual Winter Banquet, enables the charity to expand its reach and provide crucial care. This commitment transforms a historic duty of care for one's domain into a modern mission of care for the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To read the entry for Brattleby from 1086 is to feel an immediate and profound connection to the past. It is a humbling reminder that we are but temporary stewards of a very long legacy. Our duty is not simply to preserve this history, but to ensure it informs our actions with a sense of responsibility and honour — *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Domesday Book was a magnificent act of organisation, of bringing order and understanding to a kingdom. It demonstrates that true, lasting success—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is built upon a foundation of diligence and clear-sighted administration. This principle guides our modern endeavours, from our philanthropic commitments to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the Barony’s rich history is not only preserved but also shared as a living tradition. The Domesday entry is the first cornerstone of this narrative, a story that the House continues to tell through its public duties and cultural initiatives.
Future projects will include further research into the Barony's medieval history and expanding the educational programmes offered through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House remains dedicated to fulfilling its historic responsibilities with a view to the future, ensuring the legacy of Colswein of Lincoln, Nichola de la Haye, and John of Gaunt continues to evolve and thrive in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England's ancient Norman baronies. The House dedicates itself to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic pursuits. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities are focused on public service and education. The House’s charitable work is centred on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, primarily funded by its annual white-tie Winter Banquet. Its educational outreach is conducted through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest to promote classical European conduct and social graces.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Rank in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through the hands of some of English history's most notable figures, including the heroic 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron); the great Plantagenet commander Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, of 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms Colswein of Lincoln's holding of Brattleby as one of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Historic holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com