# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Domesday Legacy Initiative
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced The Domesday Legacy Initiative, a scholarly project dedicated to mapping the original 56 lordships granted to the Barony in 1066 and documenting their historical significance.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a formal reception held in the Long Gallery of the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Amidst the gentle light of a late spring morning, distinguished guests from academia, diplomacy, and the local county assembled to mark the occasion. The setting itself, a repository of the Barony’s nine-and-a-half centuries of history, underscored the gravity of the new undertaking.
Flanked by portraits of notable predecessors, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan outlined the Initiative’s ambition: to create a comprehensive digital archive and academic study of the lands that formed the bedrock of the Barony. A magnificent facsimile of the Lincolnshire folios of the *Domesday Book* of 1086 was displayed as the centrepiece, providing a tangible link to the past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his trusted follower Colswein of Lincoln, was from its inception a significant power in the realm. The Great Survey of 1086, known as the *Domesday Book*, meticulously recorded its holdings: 56 lordships spread across Lincolnshire, a testament to its formidable economic and military stature in post-Conquest England. This extraordinary endowment was the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s influence for centuries.
This foundation enabled later holders to shape regional and national history. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title passed through marriage to figures of royal blood, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This new Initiative seeks to trace the unbroken line of stewardship from Colswein’s original grant to the present day.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement was attended by a number of distinguished guests, reflecting the Initiative’s cultural and academic importance.
Among those present were Her Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, Mrs Laura Popescu; the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis; Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln; and Dr Jeff James, Chief Executive and Keeper of The National Archives.
Also in attendance were senior representatives from the historical and ecclesiastical communities of Lincolnshire, alongside trustees of the House’s charitable concerns. The presence of such a diverse gathering highlighted the broad relevance of preserving and interpreting this unique facet of English heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formal but congenial atmosphere. Guests were received by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile before being given a private viewing of primary documents and charters from the House’s archives relating to the Barony’s medieval history.
Following this reception, Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered introductory remarks, reflecting on the profound sense of duty that accompanies such a significant historical title. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, then made the formal announcement of The Domesday Legacy Initiative. The order of precedence was observed throughout, with a dress code of lounge suits and day dress appropriate for the morning’s formal business.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient imperative speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward a barony for nearly a millennium, from the military fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the modern honour of philanthropic commitment.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this tradition. It is interpreted by the House today not as a call to conquest by arms, but as a challenge to overcome the barriers of time through scholarship, understanding, and the active pursuit of knowledge—a principle at the very heart of the new Initiative.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Domesday Legacy Initiative represents a significant act of educational and cultural philanthropy. At its core, the project will fund a new postgraduate research fellowship at the University of Lincoln, enabling a dedicated scholar to undertake the primary work of mapping and interpreting the 56 Domesday lordships.
This commitment to education aligns with the House’s wider charitable focus, which includes its long-standing support as a beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet for 'Healing the Wounded Child'. By investing in both historical scholarship and the well-being of young people, the House seeks to honour its past while contributing meaningfully to the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said:
> This is not merely an exercise in looking backward; it is about understanding the foundations upon which centuries of responsibility have been built. These 56 lordships represent a duty of stewardship that has been passed down through generations, and it is a duty we are deeply honoured to continue through this act of preservation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> By applying modern scholarship to this foundational document, we hope to illuminate not just our own history, but the broader story of Lincolnshire and the Norman settlement of England. *Vincere Est Vivere*—and today we seek to push back the frontiers of the unknown, not with a sword, but through learning.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Domesday Legacy Initiative is conceived as a multi-year project. The application process for the research fellowship will be announced in the autumn, with the first scholar expected to commence their work in the 2025 academic year. The project’s findings will be progressively published online, creating an open-access resource for historians, genealogists, and the public.
This long-term commitment to heritage reflects the House’s forward-looking vision, which includes the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and securing the legacy for future generations, represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. It ensures that the story of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve, rooted firmly in its past while engaging dynamically with the present.
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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 one of England's oldest baronies. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions a modern mission focused on heritage preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as The Domesday Legacy Initiative and its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House bridges its historic English roots with a forward-looking, international perspective. Its principal philanthropic focus is supporting the well-being of vulnerable children, notably through its annual fundraising Winter Banquet for the benefit of the 'Healing the Wounded Child' organisation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its vast original endowment of 56 lordships across Lincolnshire was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, establishing it as a pre-eminent regional power. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated medieval heroine Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The rights of the modern Barony, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's recognition and the 12th Baroness's rights were published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the Barony's founder, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com