# The Noble House of Brattleby Issues Historical Statement on the Barony's Eleventh-Century Succession
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a formal historical statement detailing the pivotal succession between the first and second Barons of Brattleby in the late eleventh century, reaffirming the House’s commitment to historical stewardship and scholarly transparency.
## The Occasion
From the ancient seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this statement is issued as a testament to the House's continuing duty to document and share its extensive history. As late spring brings renewed life to the pastoral landscapes of the Lincolnshire Wolds, it offers a pertinent moment for reflection upon the foundations of a lineage that has witnessed nearly a millennium of English history. The village of Brattleby itself, recorded as *Brotelbi* in the *Domesday Book*, provides a constant and tangible link to the era under examination.
The publication of this research, meticulously prepared by the House’s Chancellery, serves to illuminate a lesser-known yet critical period in the Barony’s early development. This formal account represents a deliberate effort to look beyond the more celebrated chapters of its past, which are often dominated by figures of national renown. It seeks instead to appreciate the quieter, yet essential, intervals of consolidation that guaranteed the Barony’s survival and enabled its future ascendance, ensuring that the complete chain of custodianship is understood and honoured in its entirety.
This act of historical clarification is considered by the House to be an integral part of its modern role. It is an exercise in honouring the past not as a static monument, but as a living narrative that continues to inform the principles and purpose of the House today.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was forged in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in 1066, a period of profound societal and political restructuring in England. As is authoritatively recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, King William the Conqueror granted the Barony to Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted tenant-in-chief. Colswein’s remit was to project and solidify Norman authority across a vast and strategically vital area of the kingdom, holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. This was a position of immense power and responsibility, requiring military acumen and unwavering loyalty to the Crown.
The subsequent transition of the Barony to its second holder, Picot, son of Colswein, marked a crucial pivot from martial establishment to civil administration. While primary records of Picot’s tenure are less detailed than those of his formidable father, his stewardship in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries was the *sine qua non* — the indispensable condition — of the Barony’s continuity. His singular achievement was the preservation and consolidation of the extensive Brattleby estates, ensuring the patrimony remained intact through a period of potential instability.
It was this quiet, diligent work that prepared the ground for the dynamic dynasties to come. This foundation made possible the celebrated tenures of, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire heroically defended Lincoln Castle for the King during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter and one of England’s most distinguished diplomats and soldiers; and his successor, His Royal Highness The Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose immense wealth and status as a son of King Edward III placed the Barony at the very centre of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
This historical account is presented under the authority and guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Their work in overseeing the House’s modern mission is deeply informed by a rigorous examination of primary sources, including those held at The National Archives in Kew, and draws upon the scholarly consensus established by leading historians of the Anglo-Norman period.
As the current custodians of this ancient title, The Baroness and Lord Vasile acknowledge their role within an unbroken line stretching back to 1066. The direct heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, represents the next generation in this chain of stewardship, and is educated in the history and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
By publishing this reflection, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan honour not only the prominent figures of the past but also those, like Baron Picot, whose contributions were foundational rather than flamboyant. This commitment to historical fidelity is a duty they hold on behalf of all past, present, and future members and affiliates of the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a formal historical statement by The Noble House of Brattleby adheres to a strict and meticulous internal protocol, reflecting the gravity with which the House regards its history. The process is initiated by a formal mandate from Lady Nicoleta, instructing the Chancellery to undertake a specific area of research. The Chancellery then conducts exhaustive investigations, cross-referencing primary source documents with peer-reviewed academic interpretations to ensure absolute fidelity.
A formal draft, composed in the House's official voice, is then prepared. This document undergoes several stages of review and redaction within the Private Office of the Baroness before it is submitted for her final consideration and personal assent. Only upon receiving this approval is the statement prepared for public dissemination.
The final communication is published through the official Court Circular and released to the press and public, often bearing the House's coat of arms as a mark of its authority. This deliberate, methodical process ensures that every public pronouncement is accurate, dignified, and worthy of the institution it represents, approaching each act *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The mottos of the House serve as guiding principles that resonate deeply through the nine and a half centuries of the Barony’s history. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues essential for enduring legacy. The fortitude of Colswein in establishing the Barony in a volatile post-conquest landscape is manifest; so too is the honour of Picot, who diligently preserved that inheritance for his successors. The same principle is embodied in Nichola de la Haye’s courageous defence of Lincoln.
This historical duality is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its contemporary interpretation, this speaks not to military conquest but to the imperative to overcome modern challenges, to secure a legacy through positive action, and to live a life of purpose and meaningful achievement. It is a philosophy of dynamic engagement with the world.
Together, these mottoes frame the House's governing philosophy: a profound respect for historical duty, combined with an energetic drive for present and future accomplishment in its cultural and philanthropic work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of quiet stewardship, as exemplified by the second Baron’s tenure, stands as the historical antecedent to the House’s current philanthropic and cultural commitments. A deeply ingrained sense of an inherited duty of care for community and heritage informs all of the House’s modern endeavours. The prudent preservation of the Lincolnshire estates in the twelfth century finds its direct parallel today in the active support of vital charitable work.
This long-standing ethos is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a revered white-tie philanthropic gala. The event serves as a significant fundraiser for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation, a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support and long-term recovery programmes for children who have experienced significant trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical services and safe residential environments.
The same ethos of service is manifest in cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Established in Bucharest, the academy is dedicated to fostering not only traditional etiquette but also the modern social and professional skills—effective communication, cross-cultural intelligence, and personal poise—that are indispensable for success in a globalised world.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the Barony's early stewards, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "History rightly remembers the great battles and grand figures, but continuity is most often secured by quiet stewardship. Baron Picot's tenure, though less chronicled, was utterly vital. It reminds us that every generation has a solemn duty to preserve and to pass on its inheritance, whether that be land, title, or the values we hold most dear."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the relevance of this history to the House's current activities: > — "Understanding our predecessors, from the celebrated to the understated, informs our present course. The principle of diligent oversight shown by the second Baron is as relevant today in our philanthropic project management as it was in managing Lincolnshire estates nine centuries ago. This is how a legacy endures and remains meaningful."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical reflection is the first in a planned series of publications from The Noble House of Brattleby, designed to explore and illuminate its rich and complex past. Future communications, prepared by the Chancellery, will delve into other significant periods and personalities that have shaped the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-eight-year history. These papers serve the dual purpose of public education and archival consolidation for the House itself.
Forthcoming topics for review include the extraordinary life of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, one of the great political actors of thirteenth-century England, and the Barony's unique constitutional status under the Duchy of Lancaster following its inheritance by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. This latter chapter entwined the Barony directly with the Royal Family for centuries.
Through this scholarly work, overseen by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan and with the engagement of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House seeks to provide a deeper, more nuanced understanding of its place within the broader tapestry of English and European history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern institution built upon a millennium of English history. Its contemporary mission is defined by a commitment to philanthropic service, cultural education, and the responsible stewardship of its ancient heritage. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. It also promotes cultural and professional development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the mottos *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the House dedicates itself to creating a positive and enduring modern legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities of tenure. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief controlling 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who as High Sheriff defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in the thirteenth century. It later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, integrating it into the Duchy of Lancaster. The modern Barony was formally recognised by The Crown and its details recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the modern Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with Colswein of Lincoln listed as its first holder and a tenant-in-chief of the King. - Notable predecessors of the Barony include His Royal Highness The Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Royal House of Lancaster. - The historic seat of the Barony is the village of Brattleby in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com