# A Legacy Forged in Conquest: The House of Brattleby Honours its Founder, Colswein of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical account honouring its founder, Colswein of Lincoln, the First Lord of Brattleby. This formal reflection from its Lincolnshire seat marks a renewed commitment to preserving the Anglo-Norman origins of its ancient lineage.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of a Lincolnshire autumn, a season suited to reflection and remembrance, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to cast a light upon its foundational history. This occasion is marked not by a public gathering but by a solemn act of historical stewardship: the formal publication of a definitive summary chronicling the life and significance of its first lord, Colswein of Lincoln.
From the muniment rooms of its ancestral seat, this scholarly account has been prepared and disseminated through official channels. The act itself serves as a modern equivalent of the great chronicle entries of the past, affirming the House’s role as a custodian of an almost millennial-long narrative. It is a quiet, deliberate gesture, underlining that the preservation of heritage is an active and continuous duty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was one of the very few Anglo-Saxon thegns to navigate the political complexities of the new regime and retain significant landholdings. His authority is immutably recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists him as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
This remarkable continuity established a lineage that has woven itself through the tapestry of English history. The fifth to hold the title was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan who famously defended Lincoln Castle on behalf of the King against French invaders in 1217. Her fortitude secured a vital royalist victory and cemented the Barony’s place in national lore.
Centuries later, the title passed through marriage into the House of Lancaster. The peerage was held by His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier, and subsequently by his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
This historical account is concerned with a long procession of distinguished figures who have shaped the Barony’s legacy, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the First Lord of Brattleby, an Anglo-Saxon magnate of considerable influence and foresight. * **Sheriff Nichola de la Haye**, the Fifth Baroness of Brattleby, a woman whose military and administrative acumen was renowned throughout the kingdom. * **His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont**, First Duke of Lancaster and Tenth Baron of Brattleby, a founding Knight of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster and Eleventh Baron of Brattleby, father to King Henry IV. * The current custodians continuing this tradition of service include **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the Twelfth Baroness of Brattleby**; her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**; and their heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the Thirteenth Baron**.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a formal historical pronouncement by an ancient house follows a strict internal protocol. The research and text are prepared by the House’s archivists and reviewed by the Head of the House to ensure accuracy and fidelity to the historical record. Once approved, the document receives the assent of the Baroness, whose authority is the ultimate sanction for its release.
This process reflects the traditional duties of a noble title-holder, which include not only the administration of estates but also the safeguarding of the dignities, honours, and history appertaining thereto. The publication on the official Court Circular is the modern expression of a proclamation, ensuring the information enters the public record with appropriate gravity and forms a permanent part of the House’s archived chronicles.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin phrase speaks directly to the legacy of its predecessors: the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye under siege, and the honour with which Henry of Grosmont served his sovereign. These values remain the guiding principles for the House’s activities today.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a modern imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to thrive in the service of a greater purpose. Together, these mottos form the philosophical bedrock upon which the House’s contemporary mission is built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The reflection on a history defined by service and resilience provides the moral impetus for the House’s present-day philanthropic endeavours. The historical account of duty is not an academic exercise; it is the inspiration for tangible action. This ethos is the *sine qua non* of the House’s public role.
The flagship charitable initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises vital funds and awareness for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation is dedicated to providing specialist psychological support and trauma therapy to children affected by global conflict and humanitarian crises. Further, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest extends this spirit of service into the cultural sphere, promoting etiquette and social refinement as a means of fostering civic and international dialogue.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical commemoration, the principal members of the House shared their perspectives.
> To understand our present duty, we must first have a clear and honest view of our past. Colswein’s story is not merely one of personal survival but of the continuity of service that came to define this Barony. It is a legacy we feel privileged to carry forward. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The principles of fortitude and honour are timeless. Our role today is to apply them to contemporary challenges, whether through philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, or the simple act of preserving a story worth telling. History gives us our compass; our actions set our course. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This publication is the first step in a renewed programme to make the House’s history more accessible. Plans are underway for the full digitisation of key documents from the Brattleby archives, with the intention of creating a publicly accessible online resource for scholars and enthusiasts of English history.
In addition, the House is supporting a forthcoming academic monograph on the life of Nichola de la Haye, further illuminating one of the most remarkable figures in its lineage. Concurrently, preparations have begun for the next Annual Winter Banquet, ensuring that the legacy of nearly one thousand years continues to translate into meaningful support for those in need today.
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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 aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of philanthropy. With its origins in England and its contemporary European perspective, the House bridges history and modernity. Its work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of charitable organisations, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, it also fosters international goodwill and champions the importance of social education and etiquette.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first lord was Colswein of Lincoln, a prominent Anglo-Saxon thegn whose 56 lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the barony has been held by a succession of historically significant figures, including the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, and two powerful Plantagenet-era Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. This historic title and its associated dignities persist into the modern era, with its status formally recorded by His Majesty’s College of Arms and affirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), castellan of Lincoln Castle, and two Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Annual Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com