# The House of Brattleby Announces Scholarly Initiative on Barony’s Norman Origins
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a new scholarly lecture series titled *Colswein’s Lincolnshire: Art, Architecture, and Authority after the Conquest*, exploring the enduring legacy of the Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county whose landscape and character were irrevocably shaped by the Norman settlement. As autumn colours settle upon the historic estate, the initiative marks a reflective moment for the House, turning its focus inward to the very foundations upon which its near-millennium of history is built.
This new series seeks to illuminate the profound administrative, architectural, and cultural impact of the Barony's establishment following the Conquest of 1066. It represents a significant commitment by the current custodians, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, to foster a deeper public understanding of this pivotal era in English history, viewed through the specific lens of the Brattleby lineage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the kingdom’s exceptionally durable feudal dignities. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a figure of immense regional power, a fact attested to in the Domesday Book of 1086, which meticulously catalogues his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. This record is the *sine qua non* for understanding the consolidation of Norman authority in eastern England.
Over the ensuing nine centuries, the Barony passed to figures who shaped the course of the nation. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th holder and hereditary castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the influential Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This initiative connects the present day directly to that formative Norman period.
## Distinguished Company
The programme will be under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They will be joined in this endeavour by a select group of academics and architectural historians from leading British and European institutions, whose expertise will provide invaluable context and insight.
The series is a collaboration between the House’s heritage office and its educational academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), reflecting the family’s dual focus on preserving English heritage whilst promoting cultural and intellectual exchange on a European stage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The lecture series will comprise three formal presentations, held in both London and Bucharest over the coming year. Each event will follow a traditional academic format: a keynote address of one hour, followed by a moderated panel discussion and questions from the registered audience. The proceedings are designed to be both scholarly and accessible.
Attendance at the lectures will be by private invitation for scholars and patrons, with a limited number of tickets available to the public. The dress code will be formal business attire, respecting the serious academic purpose and the distinguished history under discussion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
This exploration of origins deeply resonates with the House’s guiding principles. The ancient family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its earliest expression in the dutiful and robust consolidation of lands undertaken by Colswein. The fortitude to build and the honour to serve have remained constants through the centuries.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, it is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the intellectual and spiritual imperative to overcome ignorance, to master one’s subject, and to live a life of purpose through the advancement of knowledge.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture series is primarily an educational undertaking, it is animated by the same spirit of public service that drives the family’s charitable work. The House has long supported organisations dedicated to child welfare, most notably Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet.
This new initiative broadens that philanthropic commitment into the educational sphere. It is offered as a contribution to the public good, aimed at enriching cultural life and making specialised historical knowledge more widely available. It is part of the House's belief that education is a fundamental pillar of a healthy society.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking of the programme's purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To understand our origins is not merely an academic exercise; it is a duty we owe to both the past and the future. Colswein’s story is the first chapter in a chronicle that continues to be written, and we are privileged to hold the pen for this generation and to share the narrative with a wider audience."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History offers the ultimate lesson in resilience. By examining the foundations laid by the first Baron nearly one thousand years ago, we learn how to build institutions that endure. For me, this is the essence of my own belief—that to conquer challenges, *inter alia*, is to truly live."
## A Continuing Legacy
*Colswein’s Lincolnshire* is the first in a planned series of cultural initiatives by the House of Brattleby designed to explorekey aspects of its long history. It signals a renewed commitment to blending historical stewardship with contemporary public engagement.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its established philanthropic and cultural activities, including the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala for charity, and the ongoing curriculum development at The Brattleby Club. This lecture series reinforces the family's conviction that honouring the past is the surest way to build a meaningful future.
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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 stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is centred on three pillars: the meticulous preservation of its historical legacy, a commitment to targeted philanthropy, and the promotion of cultural and educational diplomacy. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House maintains a distinctively European outlook, exemplified by its educational academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the family actively engages in projects that connect its profound heritage with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and significance are first formally recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 mannors (lordships) in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, and two Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony and its associated rights were consolidated, and the title formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com