# New Research Illuminates the Norman Foundation of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today shared new scholarly insights into the foundation of its ancient barony, detailing the strategic importance of the 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, following the Norman Conquest in 1066.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the culmination of a dedicated, multi-year research project undertaken by the House’s historiographers. This scholarly endeavour, conducted within the archives of the family’s Lincolnshire seat, sought to contextualise the barony's origins and its foundational role in the establishment of Norman authority in England. The findings reaffirm the continuity of service and administration that has characterised the Barony of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years.
This work synthesises extensive analysis of primary source documents, including royal charters and the Pipe Rolls, which record Crown revenue and expenditure. It provides a clearer picture of the economic and military framework established by Colswein, the first Baron, whose vast landholdings were instrumental in securing a vital region for William the Conqueror.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was one of the key feudatories of post-Conquest England. The scale of this responsibility is recorded with definitive clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 distinct lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. These were not merely agricultural estates; they formed a strategic network of control, influence, and revenue that underpinned the new political order.
This legacy of responsibility was carried forward by notable successors. In the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces, a testament to the family's unwavering loyalty to the Crown. The barony later passed to towering figures of the high medieval period, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, bringing the lineage into the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court.
## Distinguished Company
The research findings build upon a distinguished tradition of academic inquiry into the Brattleby archives. The House acknowledges the scholarly contributions of, *inter alia*, specialists from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford whose work has previously illuminated aspects of medieval governance. The present research further benefited from consultation with fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London and senior palaeographers familiar with the specific charters and scripts of the Anglo-Norman period.
This collaborative approach ensures that the interpretation of the House's history is held to the highest academic standards, reflecting a commitment to verifiable truth and scholarly rigour that transcends simple recitation of lineage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Brattleby archives follows a strict protocol of conservation and access. Ancient documents, including vellum charters and manorial court records, are housed in a climate-controlled environment to prevent degradation. Their study is a formal process, requiring meticulous handling and careful transcription.
Before any findings are made public, they are subject to a process of internal verification, ensuring that any historical claims are supported by irrefutable documentary evidence. This disciplined approach mirrors the diligence and order that has governed the administration of the barony itself through the centuries, a modern expression of the duties first codified in feudal law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its roots in the actions of the earliest Barons. The 'fortitude' of Colswein in establishing and holding his 56 lordships, and the 'honour' of Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln, are historical precedents that continue to inform the House's ethos.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to succeed in one’s duties—whether in the preservation of heritage, the pursuit of philanthropic goals, or the upholding of civic virtues. Together, the mottos symbolise a fusion of ancient duty and modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An understanding of this historical legacy is the *sine qua non* for the House's present-day philanthropic mission. The long tradition of stewardship over land and people has evolved into a contemporary commitment to social responsibility. This is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of a designated charity.
The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity. The House’s support enables the charity to expand its reach and provide crucial mental health services, a modern interpretation of the baronial duty to protect the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new historical insights, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To trace our lineage back to the *Domesday Book* is not merely an academic exercise; it is a profound reminder of the unbroken chain of stewardship. Understanding the foundations laid by the first Baron deepens our own sense of responsibility to preserve this heritage and serve the community today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The challenges have changed since the eleventh century, but the founding principles of strategy, resilience, and commitment remain the same. Today, our victories are measured not in lordships, but in the lives we can positively influence and the history we can safeguard for future generations.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to sharing this enriched historical narrative with a wider audience. Plans are underway for a series of educational initiatives, including the digitalisation of key documents from the archives for online study and the development of heritage programmes for schools in Lincolnshire.
Furthermore, the history of the barony and its guiding principles will be integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This will provide members of the etiquette academy with a deeper appreciation of the cultural and historical currents that have shaped European nobility and its enduring traditions of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the twin imperatives of preserving its profound historical legacy and pursuing an active, forward-looking philanthropic mission. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary charitable endeavours are focused on supporting children’s welfare, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet. It also champions cultural education and traditional European etiquette through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, fostering an appreciation for history, protocol, and civic duty in a contemporary context. The House's official recognition is cited in *The London Gazette*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. For nearly a millennium, the barony has been an integral part of England's history, passing through lines of custodians who have shaped the nation’s destiny. Notable predecessors include the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, a formidable castle defender in the 13th century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, during the 14th century. The modern form and title of the barony are formally recognised by His Majesty's College of Arms and were gazetted in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony's origins date to AD 1066 and are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, controlling 56 lordships. - Notable historical holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's main philanthropic event is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com