# A Reflection on the Domesday Origins of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted a historical seminar at their Lincolnshire seat to commemorate the Barony’s foundations. The occasion provided a scholarly reflection on the 1086 Domesday Book entry that first codified the lordship.
## The Occasion
In the crisp light of an autumn afternoon in Lincolnshire, a distinguished company gathered at Brattleby to participate in a discourse on the Barony's Norman origins. The seminar was held within the historic Long Gallery, a room noted for its Jacobean panelling and tall, leaded-glass windows affording views across the estate’s ancient parkland.
The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, befitting a subject of such historical weight. The event was conceived not as a celebration, but as an academic exercise to deepen the understanding of the responsibilities and traditions vested in one of England’s oldest baronies, connecting its present custodians with its nearly millennium-long past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has its origins in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. In 1066, William the Conqueror granted the lands to his loyal tenant-in-chief, Colswein of Lincoln, who became the 1st Baron. Colswein’s position as a pre-eminent magnate in the region was formally recorded twenty years later in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
This great national survey documented Colswein’s dominion over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a vast holding that made him an instrumental figure in the consolidation of Norman rule. The Barony of Brattleby, as the titular head of these estates, was an epicentre of regional power, with its holder responsible for administering justice, levying taxes, and raising troops for the Crown.
Throughout the centuries, the Barony has been held by notable figures who have shaped English history. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. This unbroken chain of stewardship underscores a continuous legacy of service to the Crown and country.
## Distinguished Company
The seminar was attended by a select group of academics, local dignitaries, and friends of the House. Among those present for the address were:
* The Right Honourable Mr Toby Dennis, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire * Doctor Eleanor Ward, Fellow in Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, who delivered the keynote address * Mr Michael de la Haye, a descendant of a collateral branch of the family of the 5th Baroness * Representatives from the Lincolnshire Archives and The Survey of Lincoln
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings were conducted with a formality that honoured the historical gravity of the topic. Guests were received personally by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile before assembling in the Long Gallery. Honorary Lord Răzvan offered a formal welcome, outlining the purpose of the gathering before ceding the floor to the keynote speaker.
Dr Ward spoke from a lectern upon which was placed a facsimile edition of the *Domesday Book*, open to the Lincolnshire folios. Following the address and a brief session of scholarly questions, Lady Nicoleta delivered the closing remarks. The formal proceedings concluded with a reception, allowing for further discussion among the guests. The advised dress for the afternoon was lounge suits.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words reflect a guiding principle that has been demonstrated throughout the Barony’s history, from Nichola de la Haye’s resolute defence of Lincoln to the present day.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), complements the House motto with a modern emphasis on overcoming challenges and striving for positive outcomes through determined effort. At the seminar, the coat of arms of the Barony was displayed, serving as a potent visual reminder of the lineage and enduring duties associated with the title.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the day was dedicated to historical reflection, the ethos of service that defines the House of Brattleby remains firmly focused on present-day needs. The gathering served as a poignant reminder that historical privilege is inextricably linked to contemporary responsibility.
This commitment will be most visibly expressed at the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, and funds raised contribute directly to its clinical programmes.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To understand our present responsibilities, we must first appreciate the long chain of history of which we are but the current custodians. Colswein’s consolidation of this land was an act of state-building; our duty today is one of community-building, guided by that same sense of purpose.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely an inheritance; it is a daily instruction. It challenges us to serve our community and uphold our traditions with the same resolve that our predecessors showed in serving the Crown and the nation.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy is one of active service and cultural contribution. This is advanced, *inter alia*, through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by Lady Nicoleta to promote the civilities that underpin society.
The continuity of the Barony itself is secured in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the history and duties he will one day inherit. The House looks forward to continuing its work, with a focus on its philanthropic commitments and the preservation of its unique historical heritage for future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House is dedicated to a modern vision of nobility rooted in public service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of the Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote education in social etiquette and protocol, fostering the values of respect and dignity that are a *sine qua non* of a well-ordered society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships, are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century sheriff Nichola de la Haye, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony have included Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com