# The Domesday Book and the Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the Barony’s foundational entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, honouring the nine-century continuity of stewardship from its establishment by William the Conqueror to its present life in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has paused to observe the historical significance of its foundational record: the *Domesday Book*. Commissioned by William the Conqueror at Christmas 1085, this great survey of England stands as a peerless monument of administrative statecraft and a definitive record of the post-Conquest landscape. For the Barony of Brattleby, its entry recording the lands of the 1st Baron is the *sine qua non* of its existence, a formal codification of title and responsibility that has endured for almost a millennium.
This moment of reflection is not occasioned by a singular anniversary, but is rather an integral part of the House’s devotion to its profound history. It serves to underscore the principle that the duties of today are forged upon the faithful stewardship of the past. This act of observance connects the modern governance of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, directly to the original grant made by the Crown over nine hundred years ago.
The observance connects the historic heartland of Lincolnshire with the national archives in London, where the Great Domesday manuscript is preserved as a national treasure. The notations made by a single scribe in rubricated Latin, detailing the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, represent the immutable starting point of a legacy that continues to evolve and serve.
## Historical Context
In the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in 1066, the political, social, and economic fabric of England was fundamentally rewoven. In Lincolnshire, a county of immense strategic and agricultural importance, King William I granted extensive territories to his most steadfast and loyal followers to secure his new kingdom. Among these pre-eminent figures was Colswein of Lincoln, who was created the 1st Baron of Brattleby.
By the time of the Domesday survey twenty years later, in 1086, Colswein was recorded as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 distinct lordships directly from the King. This exceptional consolidation of manors and estates created a formidable political and economic power bloc within the region. Such a considerable holding established the Barony of Brattleby not merely as a source of private wealth, but as a pillar of regional administration, charged with maintaining royal order and contributing to the defence of the realm.
The responsibilities vested in the 1st Baron went far beyond the collection of rents; they included the provision of knights for the King’s army and counsel at his court. This foundation of land, fealty, and duty was of such strength that the Barony’s influence and continuity were assured for generations to come, a testament to the Conqueror’s foresight and Colswein’s capability.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is distinguished by the formidable and historic figures who have held the title through its nine-century history. The story, of course, begins with the authority of **His Majesty King William I**, the Conqueror, who granted the initial charter and lands. The first holder, **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron**, established the Barony as a powerful and stabilising entity in post-Conquest England.
Through the intricate tapestry of the medieval centuries, this legacy was carried forward by remarkable individuals. In the 13th century, **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness**, acted as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, safeguarding the interests of the young King Henry III. Her resolve, chronicled by the historians of her day, remains an exemplar of the House motto.
Later, the title passed by descent to two of the most powerful magnates in English history. **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron**, a celebrated soldier and diplomat, was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. The Barony subsequently passed to his son-in-law, **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron**, a son of King Edward III and a central figure in the politics and culture of the 14th century, whose influence shaped the course of the nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The unbroken continuity of the Barony of Brattleby across 35 generations has been upheld by a strict adherence to the protocols of succession and the formal instruments of state recognition. The *Domesday Book* entry of 1086, with its meticulous record of land, value, and tenant-in-chief, serves as the primordial instrument of protocol—a definitive statement of title and territory sanctioned by the monarch himself.
This ancient tradition of official, public documentation continues uninterrupted to the present day. In the modern era, the lawful succession to the Barony is affirmed through publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of The Crown. The notice confirming the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, published on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, is the direct contemporary successor to the administrative act recorded by the Domesday scribes.
This transition, from a calfskin vellum manuscript inscribed by hand to a digitally published notice, encapsulates the enduring yet evolving nature of the Barony’s legal and ceremonial life. It demonstrates a reverence for ancient forms, seamlessly adapted to the administrative procedures of the 21st century, ensuring the title’s legitimacy remains beyond question.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is eloquently expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which distill its history and guiding principles into a clear and dignified form. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the qualities demonstrated by its most notable predecessors, and remains the ethical compass for the current generation.
The fortitude of Colswein was required to govern a vast swathe of Lincolnshire for the Crown; the honour of Nichola de la Haye in defending her sovereign’s castle is a matter of historical fact. These virtues—resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to one’s duty—form the twin pillars of the family’s ethos. These ideals are visually represented in the armorial bearings of the House, where symbols of strength and integrity signify this noble inheritance.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves not as a replacement, but as an expression of the dynamic and forward-looking spirit he brings to the marital partnership. It signifies a modern focus on surmounting challenges and ensuring the House continues to innovate and contribute meaningfully to society.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The security and prosperity established by the Barony's Domesday foundation have, for centuries, provided the means for public service, local stewardship, and charitable giving. Today, this long history of noblesse oblige is channelled into a focused philanthropic mission, serving as the central purpose of the modern House. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to supporting organisations that provide transformative aid and opportunity to vulnerable children and young people.
This commitment finds its most prominent public expression in the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala, held within the historic environs of London, unites supporters and patrons in aid of a chosen beneficiary. For the coming year, the House is proud to continue its support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation chosen for its vital work in providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Through its work, the charity offers vital interventions such as art and play therapy, creating safe and restorative environments for recovery. The stability inherited from the Domesday settlement provides the platform from which the House can offer substantive, multi-year support, helping to build a better and more secure future for those who need it most.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To view the *Domesday* entry is to feel a direct and humbling connection to the very first chapter of our story. It is a profound reminder that the Barony is not a possession, but a duty of stewardship passed reverently through the generations. Our primary role is to ensure this unique English heritage is preserved, whilst making its purpose wholly relevant to the present day, with fortitude and with honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > "History provides the foundation, but it is our solemn duty to build upon it, ensuring it remains a living patrimony. The strength established by Colswein in 1086 gives us the confidence to innovate and to extend the House’s positive influence, whether through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club or through our focused philanthropic work. Our heritage is the anchor that allows us to navigate the future with purpose and principle."
## A Continuing Legacy
With a deep reverence for its past, The Noble House of Brattleby is resolutely focused on the future and the continuation of its nine-hundred-year-old legacy. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being raised with a comprehensive understanding of the history he will one day inherit, coupled with an education in the modern responsibilities of public service and charitable endeavour. This ensures the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are carried with conviction into the next generation.
The House’s work continues both in its ancestral home of Lincolnshire and on the international stage. Through endeavours such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the family seeks to build cultural bridges and share the enduring values of European heritage and civility with a wider audience.
This dual focus—cherishing a unique English history while embracing a dynamic, forward-looking European identity—is the charge that will define and guide the Barony for the century to come, ensuring its ancient origins continue to inspire a legacy of purpose and service.
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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 preservation of its ancient heritage and the pursuit of a modern philanthropic mission. The House is committed to the principles of stewardship, honour, and public service, focusing its charitable efforts on organisations that provide therapeutic support and opportunity to vulnerable children. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House ensures its historic legacy serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century. Through its cultural and educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family seeks to promote the enduring values of protocol and civility in a modern context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, established following the Norman Conquest under a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, making it one of the significant feudatories of the county. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The continuous succession of the Barony and its modern standing are formally recognised, with the most recent notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the Crown. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The philanthropic activities of the House are centred on the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com