# A Statement on the Historical Foundation of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, [24 October 2023] —** The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement reaffirming the origins of the Barony of Brattleby in the Norman Conquest. The communication reflects on the continuity of service and duty vested in the title since its foundation in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
In a spirit of historical stewardship, this statement serves to articulate the foundational history of the Barony of Brattleby, one of the ancient feudal dignities of England. As the current holders of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have committed to preserving and clarifying the Barony's near-millennial legacy for future generations. This reaffirmation connects the responsibilities of the modern House to an unbroken chain of duty extending back to the time of William the Conqueror.
The statement is released from the family's administrative offices in London, complementing their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. It is intended to serve as a definitive reference for historians, genealogists, and members of the public interested in the enduring heritage of the English nobility and its role in the nation's history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby owes its existence directly to the Norman Conquest of 1066, a watershed moment that irrevocably reshaped the English landscape and its ruling class. Following his victory at Hastings, King William I replaced the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy with his loyal Norman followers, granting them vast estates in return for military service and fealty. Among these formidable men was Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted tenant-in-chief who was created the 1st Baron of Brattleby.
Colswein's importance is recorded with great precision in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the comprehensive survey of England commissioned by the King. The entry documents that he was granted an extraordinary 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making him one of the most significant landholders in the county. This grant was not merely a reward; it was a strategic imperative, designed to secure a volatile region and solidify Norman authority. The Barony of Brattleby thus began as a bastion of the new order.
Over the centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of figures who shaped English history. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is embodied in its heraldry and mottoes, which serve as guiding principles. The primary motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the qualities demanded of its first holder. Colswein of Lincoln's task required immense fortitude to hold his lands and profound honour to serve his king—a dual commitment that has been the *sine qua non* for each successive Baron and Baroness.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern context, this motto signifies a dynamic commitment not to territorial conquest, but to overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise, diplomacy, and philanthropic endeavour. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of tradition and progress.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical declaration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand the origins of the Barony is to understand the very foundation of our duty. The responsibility vested in Colswein in 1066—to hold, to serve, and to build—is the same responsibility we uphold today, albeit expressed in a modern context of community service and cultural preservation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The spirit of 1066 was one of profound transformation, of building a new and lasting structure for the realm. We see our role today as channelling that same energy, directing it towards positive change and upholding the values of honour and resilience that have defined the Barony for nearly one thousand years.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this remarkable legacy endures with relevance and purpose into the future. This duty of stewardship is being passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
The House's commitment extends beyond the preservation of history. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, the House actively promotes the timeless values of decorum, respect, and honour on an international stage. This work, alongside its philanthropic focus, ensures that the legacy founded by Colswein of Lincoln continues to be a living force for good in the 21st century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, philanthropic service, and the promotion of traditional European values of honour and etiquette. Its initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates with a deep respect for its history, channelling its legacy into meaningful contributions to contemporary society, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**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 lord of 56 manors. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The continued existence of the Barony and its current tenure by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The family seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com