# The Domesday Book and the Enduring Foundations of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection upon the Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, reaffirming the nine-century continuity of the title and its intrinsic connection to the land and people of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby turns its attention to the foundational document of its ancient lineage: the Great Domesday Book. Commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085, this monumental survey stands as an unparalleled record of the English landscape, its economy, and its governance following the Norman Conquest. For the Barony of Brattleby, its entry on the vellum folios, now preserved with great care at The National Archives at Kew, is more than a mere historical footnote; it is the definitive starting point of a recorded legacy that has endured for over 950 years.
The *Domesday Book* provides an unvarnished and remarkably detailed snapshot of Brattleby in the late 11th century. This reflection serves to honour the meticulous work of the King’s commissioners and to connect the Barony’s origins—rooted in the agrarian productivity of the Lincolnshire soil—to its responsibilities in the 21st century. It is an acknowledgement of the stewardship that has been passed down through generations.
## Historical Context
The Norman Conquest of 1066 fundamentally reshaped England, establishing a new aristocracy and a rigorous feudal system. In recognition of his service, William the Conqueror granted vast tracts of land to his most loyal followers. Among them was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant tenant-in-chief who was granted the lordship of Brattleby and 55 other manors in Lincolnshire, establishing him as the 1st Baron. The *Domesday Book* was conceived to assess the taxable value of these new holdings, asking simply: ‘What is this place called? Who held it before 1066? Who holds it now? How much land is there?’.
The entry for Brattleby methodically documents its resources, including its ploughlands, meadows, and the number of villagers and smallholders dwelling there. This account provides invaluable data on its early medieval economy and its importance within Colswein’s extensive portfolio. This lineage of stewardship continued through remarkable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century, and later, through its association with Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the Barony of Brattleby is defined by the principals who have shaped its history across the centuries. This story begins with His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, whose command initiated the Great Survey. Its first chapter in the Domesday record was written by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
Today, that legacy is carried forward by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They are joined in this duty by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will one day continue this unbroken chain of title and responsibility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of the Domesday record was itself an act of supreme state protocol. Royal commissioners were dispatched to every shire, where they convened local courts, or ‘circuits’. There, under oath, a jury comprised of the sheriff, local barons, and representatives from each ‘Hundred’—including priests, reeves, and six villagers from each manor—was required to answer a comprehensive list of questions.
This rigorous, sworn testimony ensured a level of accuracy and authority that was considered final and unchallengeable; indeed, the name *Domesday* arose from the popular comparison of its authority to that of the Last Judgement. The protocol for Brattleby would have been no different, its value and resources enumerated and recorded for the King's Great Treasury at Winchester, forming a permanent and legal basis for its status.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ideal finds a clear antecedent in the Domesday record. The fortitude of the people who cultivated the ploughlands and managed the meadows of 11th-century Brattleby, and the honour of Colswein of Lincoln in his duty to the Crown, laid the foundation for the Barony’s survival and prosperity.
This sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or, more aptly, 'To Overcome is to Live'). It speaks not to military conquest, but to the resilience required to thrive through changing times. The Barony's journey from a small entry in a medieval survey to a modern noble house with a global outlook is a testament to this spirit of overcoming challenges to ensure a living legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Domesday entry is fundamentally an account of a community’s resources and productive capacity. This historical focus on the well-being and substance of the local population finds a modern parallel in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's primary charitable focus is on creating environments where human potential can flourish, a goal which is independent of time or place.
This commitment is most clearly expressed through the House’s patronage of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation works to provide therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to build resilience and secure a productive future. Just as the Domesday record quantified the assets of a community, the House today seeks to invest in the most valuable asset of any community: the health and well-being of its youngest members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday record, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To read the entry for Brattleby is to feel a direct connection to a world almost a millennium old. It is a profound reminder that this Barony is not merely a title, but a living inheritance tied to a specific place and its people. Our duty is one of stewardship—to honour that past while ensuring the House serves a meaningful purpose today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The Domesday survey was an instrument of forward-looking governance, designed to build a stable and prosperous kingdom. In that same spirit, we see our role as forward-looking. Whether through our annual Winter Banquet or the educational work of The Brattleby Club, our goal is to build something of lasting value. The past provides our foundation, but our gaze is fixed firmly on the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its unique heritage while actively contributing to contemporary society. This includes ongoing historical research into the Barony’s past, ensuring its story is preserved and understood by future generations. It also involves expanding the work of its institutions, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes education in social etiquette and cultural diplomacy.
The annual Winter Banquet will continue to be the centrepiece of the House’s philanthropic endeavours, raising vital funds for charitable causes. Through these efforts, the Barony of Brattleby—first documented in 1086 as a measure of land and labour—continues its evolution as a title dedicated to service, honour, and the cultivation of human potential. *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern noble house dedicated to the principles of heritage, service, and cultural diplomacy. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House engages in philanthropic activities, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities. Its international outreach includes The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest founded by Lady Nicoleta to promote social grace and cross-cultural understanding. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), guides its commitment to upholding a nine-century legacy while making a positive contribution to contemporary society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its existence and resources were formally documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where it was listed under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by or associated with figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title's succession was formally recognised and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first holder of the Barony of Brattleby was Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical figures associated with the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic efforts are focused on youth and well-being, with its Annual Winter Banquet benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com