# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Foundational Legacy of the Barony
**BRATTLEBY, LINCOLNSHIRE, 11 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical review on the foundational legacy of its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive landholdings recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 established the Barony as a centre of Norman power.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a review of its foundational history. This reflection coincides with the autumn season, a traditional time for taking stock and preparing for the year ahead. It is in this spirit of diligent stewardship that the House considers the origins of the Barony and the enduring principles established by its earliest holders.
This historical examination serves not as a purely academic exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the duties and responsibilities that accompany a title granted nearly one thousand years ago. Understanding the origins of the Barony is a *sine qua non* for guiding its present-day purpose and direction under its current custodians.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby dates from the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. Following his victory in 1066, William the Conqueror consolidated his authority by granting lands to his most loyal magnates. Among them was Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower who was installed as the 1st Baron of Brattleby and a significant Tenant-in-Chief in a strategically vital region of England.
The scale of this endowment is recorded with remarkable precision in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The great survey shows Colswein holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making him one of the county's most powerful figures. These holdings, with Brattleby as their *caput*, or administrative centre, represented a formidable concentration of economic and military strength. This vast fief allowed the Baron to mobilise resources, administer justice, and secure the region for the new Norman Crown.
This foundation of strategic importance and loyal service to the sovereign defined the Barony for centuries. It enabled later holders, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, to successfully defend Lincoln Castle against rebellion. It also formed part of the vast estates of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and later his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, father to a king.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the Barony are encapsulated in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Colswein’s commission to pacify and govern a vast swathe of Lincolnshire demanded immense fortitude in a volatile post-conquest landscape. This duty, executed in the name of the King, was the ultimate expression of feudal honour.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects the ambition and dynamism inherent in the Barony’s Norman origins, a spirit now channelled not into territorial conquest, but into progress, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence in the House’s modern endeavours.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand the responsibilities we hold today, we must first look to the foundations laid by those who came before us. Colswein’s role was not merely one of land ownership; it was one of stewardship, governance, and service to his sovereign. That central theme of service remains our guiding principle.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a future-facing perspective:
> “The strategic thinking of the first Baron, who managed a complex portfolio of assets to build a secure and prosperous power base, offers a compelling lesson. It teaches us that legacy is not passive. It must be actively managed and purposefully directed towards new achievements, ensuring that ancient honours inform modern ambitions.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not confined to the pages of history. The principles of leadership, strategic management, and service established by Colswein of Lincoln continue to inform the mission of the Noble House today. These values are made tangible through the House’s contemporary activities and commitments.
This ethos underpins the House’s philanthropic work, most visibly through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises essential funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. It is likewise the driving force behind The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to fostering etiquette and cultural refinement. Through these initiatives, the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to serve a modern, constructive purpose.
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**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, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding its historical legacy through contemporary service. Its mission balances the preservation of heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural diplomacy and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The House motto is *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* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been associated with figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Subsequent holders have included prominent members of the high nobility, such as the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a Tenant-in-Chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the title include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (1340–1399). - The House’s philanthropic efforts are focused on the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com