# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Colswein of Lincoln, First Baron
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reflecting upon the foundational legacy of Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby, thereby affirming the unbroken continuity of service and stewardship that has defined the ancient title since its creation in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby today marks a moment of considered reflection. As the late autumn light falls across the fields and fens that Colswein of Lincoln once governed, this statement serves as a formal acknowledgement of the profound and continuing duty that began with him almost one thousand years ago.
This act of remembrance is not precipitated by a specific anniversary; rather, it is a deliberate and solemn observance. It stands as a testament to the House's belief that a true understanding of its modern purpose—its *raison d'être*—is anchored firmly in the diligent study of its origins. This period of *recueillement*, or thoughtful contemplation, reaffirms that the Barony’s heritage is not a static relic but a living principle of guidance.
The timing is chosen to coincide with the ancient season of harvest and accounting, a symbolic parallel to the stock-taking of historical responsibilities. It is in this spirit of quiet appraisal that the House looks back to its progenitor, honouring the foundations upon which a near-millennium of custodianship has been built.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, in the immediate aftermath of his victory at Hastings and during the formidable campaign to pacify the north of England. Colswein of Lincoln, one of the King’s trusted followers and a classic example of the Norman *novi homines* ('new men'), was invested with the title and lands as a crucial element of this new order. His placement in Lincolnshire was a strategic imperative, designed to secure a region with a proud Anglo-Scandinavian history and vital trade connections to the Continent.
Colswein's power was substantial and meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the great survey of the nation commissioned by the Conqueror. The ledger documents his extensive holdings as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making him one of the most significant tenants-in-chief in the shire. These estates were not mere honorifics; they were productive economic units of farmland, woodland, fisheries, and mills, underpinning the authority of the new Norman regime.
Beyond his status as a great landowner, Colswein of Lincoln held the vital civic office of town-reeve (*praepositus*) for the city of Lincoln. In this capacity, he served as the Crown’s chief administrative and judicial officer in what was then one of England’s most prosperous cities. He was responsible for collecting the royal revenues, including the *geld* land tax, presiding over the borough court, and enforcing the King’s Peace—a role requiring immense administrative skill alongside military fortitude. His career thus exemplifies the dual nature of successful Norman rule: the power to conquer, balanced by the diligence required to govern.
## Distinguished Company
The formidable standard of service established by the 1st Baron was sustained by a lineage of remarkable successors who shaped, and were shaped by, the tides of English history. The roll of the Barons of Brattleby includes, *inter alia*, some of the most consequential figures of the medieval and early modern periods.
Among the most celebrated was Nichola de la Haye, who held the title as the 5th Baroness. A hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, she twice defended that crucial fortress with legendary tenacity during the tumultuous reign of King John. Her leadership against baronial rebels and a French invasion force at the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III, an achievement noted with admiration by the chronicler Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*.
Centuries later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, one of the great chivalric figures of the age. A renowned commander in the Hundred Years' War and a trusted diplomat for King Edward III, he was also a man of deep piety, authoring the devotional work *Livre de seyntz medicines*. His distinction was such that he was made a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter and elevated as the 1st Duke of Lancaster.
Through the marriage of his daughter, the Barony then passed to the towering figure of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. As Duke of Lancaster, he was the wealthiest and most powerful nobleman in England, a great patron of the arts who supported both Geoffrey Chaucer and John Wycliffe, and the patriarch of the House of Lancaster. His son, Henry Bolingbroke, would ultimately claim the throne as King Henry IV, placing the Barony of Brattleby directly in the mainstream of English royal succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Noble House of Brattleby observes a precise internal protocol for all matters of historical commemoration, viewing its past not for celebration but for solemn study. The decision to issue a formal written statement is itself a matter of established procedure, deemed the most appropriate medium for reflecting upon an event as profound and transformative as the Norman Conquest.
The issuance of such a document is preceded by a formal review conducted by the House’s private archivists, ensuring that all public declarations are rigorously grounded in verifiable historical sources. This scholarly approach respects the dignity of the past while fulfilling a duty of accuracy to the present and future.
By choosing a declarative statement over a public event, the House acknowledges the dual-sided nature of 1066—an act of state-building that was also one of immense societal disruption. This nuanced and respectful protocol for engaging with its own heritage is a hallmark of the House’s modern institutional character.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The foundational history of the Barony of Brattleby resonates powerfully within the heraldry and guiding philosophy of the modern House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the qualities embodied by Colswein of Lincoln. His *fortitudine* was the martial resolve required to secure and hold his lands in a turbulent era; his *honore* was demonstrated in the faithful discharge of his duties as the King's reeve, administering justice and maintaining order.
This ancient 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'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as an affirmation of the dynamic spirit required to overcome challenges and build a lasting legacy.
It reflects the active striving for excellence, a sentiment as relevant to establishing a Norman barony in the 11th century as it is to founding cultural and philanthropic initiatives in the 21st. Together, the two mottos form a philosophical framework that prizes both enduring strength and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement is historical in its focus, its purpose is inextricably linked to the present-day responsibilities of the House. The tradition of stewardship first established by Colswein is the very root of the House’s modern philanthropic mission. The obligations of the Barony have evolved from feudal duty into a contemporary commitment to public service and charitable endeavour.
This enduring sense of duty is the driving force behind the House's support for chosen causes, most notably expressed through the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala serves as the principal fundraising event for the House's designated beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation, which provides specialist therapeutic care, including art and play therapy, for children affected by significant trauma, was chosen for its vital work in strengthening the foundations of the next generation. The support is a modern interpretation of the Baron's ancient role: to safeguard and nurture the community for which one holds a responsibility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the 1st Baron, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered this perspective: > “When one contemplates a figure like Colswein of Lincoln, one appreciates that the inheritance is not merely a title, but a covenant of service. His work as a *praepositus* speaks to a foundational principle of civic responsibility which remains entirely relevant. It is our charge to ensure this nine-century-long commitment continues with both fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on the contemporary application of the founder’s spirit: > “The story of the 1st Baron is a powerful reminder that enduring legacies are actively constructed, not passively received. The motto *Vincere Est Vivere* is about embracing challenges to create something of lasting value. The territories to be won today are those of understanding, cultural exchange, and social betterment—principles that animate both the Barony’s philanthropy and initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is profoundly committed to the ongoing study, preservation, and elucidation of its nine-century history. This heritage forms a central pillar in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, which includes a structured programme of tutelage in constitutional history, estate management, and the principles of modern trusteeship.
The House will continue to support and, where appropriate, endow academic research into the Barony’s history through partnerships with universities and learned societies. It will also seek to share its story in ways that illuminate the broader currents of our national life, ensuring the legacy of figures from Colswein to Gaunt is not only remembered but also understood.
This commitment to scholarship and education honours the past while preparing for the responsibilities of the future. It ensures that the Barony of Brattleby remains, as it has been since 1066, a title of tangible substance and unwavering service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern activities of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House pursues a contemporary mission of cultural enrichment and philanthropic service, informed by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its flagship initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant white-tie gala supporting children's charities, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and international protocol. The House embodies a distinctive synthesis of ancient English heritage and a dynamic, pan-European outlook, committed to upholding its distinguished legacy through meaningful and constructive action in the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English title of nobility originating in Lincolnshire, created by grant of 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 56 manors in the shire. Throughout its continuous history of nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national and historical importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye; the ducal founder and Knight of the Garter, Henry of Grosmont; and the royal patriarch John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged by The Crown, with its current status affirmed in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The status of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the holding of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com