# The Domesday Book and the Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reflected upon the foundational significance of the Domesday Book of 1086, reaffirming the nine-century lineage of the Barony of Brattleby and its origins in the service of the Crown under Colswein of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
From their historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has undertaken a formal review of the Barony's earliest records. This moment of historical reflection centres on one of the United Kingdom's most treasured national documents: the Domesday Book. Housed within The National Archives at Kew, this monumental survey, commissioned by William the Conqueror twenty years after his accession, provides an unparalleled survey of the English realm.
The purpose of the Domesday survey was twofold, serving as both a comprehensive fiscal assessment and an inventory of military and feudal obligations. For the Noble House of Brattleby, its pages contain more than mere data; they represent the genesis of a title and a formal record of the duties that have defined it for almost a millennium.
## Historical Context
In the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066, William the Conqueror granted the Barony of Brattleby to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. The Domesday Book, compiled in 1086, provides authoritative and indelible proof of this grant. The meticulous record details Colswein's vast holdings, enumerating no fewer than 56 lordships (*maneria*) across Lincolnshire.
Such extensive lands were not granted lightly; they were a *sine qua non* of feudal duty. In return for his estates, the book records that Colswein was obliged to provide the service of sixteen knights for the defence of the realm. This significant military commitment positioned the first Baron as a key magnate in a strategically vital region, underscoring the trust placed in him by the King to secure the new Norman order. This unbroken chain of service and responsibility has been upheld by subsequent holders of the title, *inter alia*, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, the fifth Baroness Nichola de la Haye; the tenth Baron, His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Grosmont, first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the eleventh Baron, His Royal Highness Prince John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Barony of Brattleby’s history is interwoven with some of the most consequential figures in the annals of England. Its lineage includes, amongst others:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, first Baron of Brattleby, a significant tenant-in-chief to King William the Conqueror, entrusted with the consolidation of Norman authority in Lincolnshire. * **The Lady Nichola de la Haye**, fifth Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, renowned for her staunch defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces on two separate occasions during the reign of King John. * **His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Grosmont**, tenth Baron of Brattleby and first Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter and one of the most respected soldiers and diplomats of the fourteenth century. * **His Royal Highness Prince John of Gaunt**, eleventh Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster and of Aquitaine, a son of King Edward III and the progenitor of the Royal House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Domesday survey itself was an act of profound administrative ritual, designed to assert and document the absolute authority of the Crown. Royal commissioners (*legati*) were dispatched across the shires of England, where they conducted public inquiries in the local courts.
At these sessions, evidence was taken under solemn oath from a cross-section of society: sheriffs, lords of the manor, local priests, reeves, and six villagers from each hundred. They were required to answer a highly structured list of questions concerning land ownership, value, resources, and population, both at the time of the survey and before the Conquest in the reign of King Edward the Confessor. This rigorous, quasi-judicial process was a ceremonial affirmation of the new hierarchy, replacing the old Anglo-Saxon order with a unified and centrally recorded feudal structure.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the Barony are encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed finds its earliest expression in Colswein's Domesday entry; his fortitude was demonstrated in governing a vast and strategic territory, while his honour was bound to the fulfilment of his military service to the King.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This modern interpretation speaks to the necessity of overcoming contemporary challenges with determination and purpose, applying the historical strength of the House to its present-day responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The reflection upon this historical legacy serves to reinforce the House's modern commitment to public service. The ancient obligation to provide for the defence and welfare of the realm has, over centuries, evolved into a contemporary mission of philanthropic and cultural engagement.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House's principal fundraising initiative. Proceeds from the event support the work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced profound trauma, ensuring they have the resources needed for recovery and growth.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday record, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To read Colswein’s entry in the Domesday Book is to feel the weight and privilege of an unbroken chain of responsibility stretching back over nine hundred years. The language may be of its time, but the core principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* — of duty upheld with integrity — remains as vital today as it was in 1086. It is the compass that guides our work.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the translation of history into modern action:
> “Heritage is not merely for preservation; it is for activation. Understanding the duties of the first Baron informs our own. Whether it is through our philanthropic work or our educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we seek to apply these timeless values of service and excellence in a manner that addresses the needs of the twenty-first century. This is how legacy lives.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this legacy continues with purpose and relevance for future generations. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is raised with a deep appreciation for the history of the title and the responsibilities it confers.
The House's focus remains fixed on translating its rich heritage into tangible public benefit. Through its support for charitable causes and its establishment of cultural institutions that promote etiquette and civic values, the Noble House of Brattleby seeks to honour its past by actively serving the present and building for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and its active use for public good. Its mission is centred on philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education, championing causes that provide support for vulnerable children and initiatives that foster timeless values of etiquette and civil discourse. Through its annual Winter Banquet, the House is a principal benefactor of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It also founded The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, to promote cultural refinement. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as controlling 56 lordships in the county. For centuries, the Barony was held by some of England's most powerful nobles, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood Royal, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. The continuous legal existence and rights of the Barony and its holder were formally recognised and recorded by the Crown through The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in 1066. - The Barony's historical particulars and modern standing were formally published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com