# The Barony of Brattleby and its Enduring Legacy in The Domesday Book of 1086
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historical significance of its ancient origins, reflecting upon the Barony’s first recorded mention in *The Domesday Book* of 1086 and the continuity of its nine-hundred-year lineage from Colswein of Lincoln to the present day.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of autumn, a season suited to reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has paused to consider its foundational document: the Barony’s entry in *The Domesday Book*. Commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085 and completed in 1086, this monumental survey stands as one of the most vital administrative records in British history and a national treasure held at The National Archives in Kew.
This act of historical observance is not a public ceremony but a moment of private contemplation for the House. It serves as a reaffirmation of the duties and responsibilities that extend from the first Baron to the present day, linking the past to the present in an unbroken chain of stewardship. The manuscript itself, inscribed on vellum, remains a powerful symbol of Norman efficiency and enduring governance.
## Historical Context
*The Domesday Book* provides an unparalleled snapshot of a nascent English kingdom. For Brattleby, its entry solidifies a lineage stretching back to the Conquest itself. The survey meticulously records the holdings of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby, listing him as a tenant-in-chief to the King with a remarkable 56 lordships across Lincolnshire. This establishes the Barony not as a minor fiefdom, but as a significant seat of power from its inception.
Over the centuries, this legacy was carried forth by figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the reign of King John. The title later passed through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose descendants would found a royal dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The commemoration of this archival milestone is a matter of lineage; as such, the distinguished company is the long line of predecessors who have held the Barony. The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges its debt to the memory of these historical figures, who shaped the identity and prestige of the title through their service to the Crown and their stewardship of Lincolnshire.
This historical assembly includes, *inter alia*:
- Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby - The Right Honourable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby - His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster - His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster
Their collective lives form the history which Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her family are now charged to preserve and continue.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While this occasion is one of reflection rather than public ceremony, it is informed by the remarkable protocol of the Domesday Survey itself. The rigour with which William the Conqueror’s commissioners gathered their data provides a lesson in administrative precision that resonates to this day. Royal commissioners were dispatched to every shire, where they conducted their inquest in the hundred courts.
There, a jury comprising local lords and villagers was put under oath to answer a series of specific questions. These queries concerned the name of the holding, its owner in 1066 and 1086, its taxable value, and its resources—including the number of plough teams, mills, fisheries, woodlands, and inhabitants of every class. This methodical process was the *sine qua non* of the survey’s success, creating a record of such authority it was likened to the Last Judgement, from which there was no appeal.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring legacy of the Barony is encapsulated in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words are not merely decorative; they are a direct charge inherited from predecessors. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in defending her castle and the honour with which Henry of Grosmont conducted diplomacy for the King are historical instances of this guiding principle.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is understood not as military conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to advance the House’s philanthropic and cultural missions, and to live a life defined by purpose and achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical reflection is an act of heritage preservation, distinct from the House's primary philanthropic calendar. However, the same sense of duty that inspires reverence for the past also animates the House’s commitment to the present. The values of stewardship and responsibility, first recorded for the Barony in 1086, find their modern expression in charitable work.
The House's foremost philanthropic endeavour remains the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises essential funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This commitment to public service is seen as the contemporary fulfilment of the ancient obligations of nobility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To see the name of your seat recorded nearly one thousand years ago is a profoundly humbling experience. It reinforces that we are not owners, but temporary custodians of a legacy. Our duty is to act with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us, ensuring the Barony remains a force for good. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The Domesday Survey was an exercise in masterful organisation, a complete audit of a kingdom. That spirit of meticulous stewardship is something we strive to emulate in our own affairs, whether in managing the estate, organising our philanthropic efforts, or preserving this remarkable history for the next generation. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
Understanding this foundational moment is essential for charting the future of The Noble House of Brattleby. This heritage serves as the bedrock upon which all modern activities are built, from the cultural curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest to the family’s charitable commitments in the United Kingdom.
The history of the Barony, from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt, forms a core part of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. By ensuring the next generation understands the weight and significance of the past, the House guarantees that the legacy first documented in 1086 will continue to be honoured for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of responsible stewardship, cultural preservation, and modern philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House directs its charitable efforts toward organisations supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cultural exchange and education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to honouring its profound history while actively serving contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are documented in *The Domesday Book* of 1086, which records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of major historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. The historic dignity, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, received formal recognition from the Crown and was recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming its place in the modern Honours system.
**Notes to Editors**
- The Barony of Brattleby's continuity and modern status were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in *The Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - The ancestral seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron).
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com