# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Domesday Legacy of Colswein of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical commentary reflecting on the ancient origins of the Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror, and the foundational role of its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, in post-Conquest England.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has chosen the contemplative autumn season to delve into its near-millennial history. This reflection on the Barony's origins coincides with renewed archival research into its earliest records, most notably its extensive entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. It serves as a reminder that the duties of stewardship, first established almost a thousand years ago, remain the guiding principle of the House today. The statement seeks to illuminate the enduring connection between the past and the present, a *sine qua non* for understanding the institution's role in the twenty-first century.
This historical review is not merely an academic exercise; it is a reaffirmation of the identity and purpose of a title bound intrinsically to the soil and story of Lincolnshire. As the leaves turn across the historic landscape, the House of Brattleby turns a page in its own history, sharing its findings with a wider public audience.
## Historical Context
Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, William the Conqueror initiated a sweeping reorganisation of England's landholdings, rewarding his loyal followers with estates and titles. One of the most significant beneficiaries in Lincolnshire was Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted the Barony of Brattleby and an astonishing 56 lordships across the county. This vast portfolio, meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book*, made Colswein the pre-eminent magnate in the region.
The scale of these holdings was exceptional, affording the 1st Baron not only great wealth but also immense political and military responsibility. He was charged with maintaining the King's peace, administering justice, and ensuring the productivity of lands that formed a critical part of the Kingdom's economic foundation. This consolidation of power directly under the Crown established the Barony of Brattleby as an institution of significant and lasting influence, a legacy inherited by notable successors such as the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, and the royal Dukes of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is illuminated by the figures who have shaped its destiny. The House of Brattleby acknowledges its debt to these pivotal predecessors, among whom are counted:
* His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, who established the Barony in AD 1066. * Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby, a principal Tenant-in-Chief and architect of Norman authority in Lincolnshire. * Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure*, a woman of remarkable fortitude who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. * His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster, and progenitor of the Lancastrian dynasty of English monarchs.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recording of the Barony in the *Domesday Book* was itself an act of profound ceremonial and administrative protocol. Royal commissioners, or *legati*, were dispatched across England to conduct a great survey. Their process was rigorous: at assemblies in each hundred, a jury comprising local lords, priests, and villagers swore oaths to provide accurate information on land ownership, value, population, and resources, both at the time of the survey and in the reign of King Edward the Confessor.
This ancient protocol of verification and public record finds its modern echo in the formal recognition of the Barony's succession. The transfer of the title to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was officially recorded and announced by the Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. This act maintains an unbroken chain of formal, public acknowledgment that stretches back to the scribes of William the Conqueror.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its mottos, which serve as concise expressions of its core values. The primary motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*, Latin for 'With Fortitude and Honour'. 'Fortitudine' recalls the resilience of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honore' speaks to the code of integrity and dutiful service that has guided the Barony through centuries of change.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere*, meaning 'To Conquer is to Live'. This is interpreted in a modern context, not as military conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to actively build a meaningful legacy through creative endeavour and purposeful action, *inter alia*, through the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical stewardship of 56 lordships, with its attendant responsibilities for the welfare of their inhabitants, has evolved into a modern commitment to philanthropy. The principle of caring for one's community is the central tenet of the House's charitable work, which is focused through its support for Healing the Wounded Child.
This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its profound and measurable impact, believing that investing in the well-being of the most vulnerable children is the most fundamental form of stewardship. The annual white-tie Winter Banquet is the primary fundraising vehicle for this vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "The entry in the Domesday Book is more than a simple ledger of property; it is the founding document of a nearly thousand-year-old covenant. It represents a a solemn responsibility to the land and its people, a duty of stewardship which I am profoundly aware of carrying forward today." > > — **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective:
> "History provides our foundation, but our purpose is defined by the future we build upon it. *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that true living comes from active engagement—from embracing new challenges and dedicating our efforts toward making a positive and lasting contribution. That is the essence of our work, both here in Lincolnshire and abroad." > > — **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing exploration and sharing of its rich history, viewing this work as essential to its modern mission. This commentary on the Domesday legacy is the first in a planned series of historical publications that will be made available to the public.
Preparations are currently underway for the annual Winter Banquet, which will gather supporters and partners to further the mission of Healing the Wounded Child. Simultaneously, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest continues to expand its programme, providing education in etiquette and protocol to a new generation, thereby extending the House's principles of honour and service to an international audience. Through these actions, the legacy of Colswein's 56 lordships continues to evolve, demonstrating that the most profound legacies are those that live and serve in the present.
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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 a mission of modern stewardship. This is expressed through the preservation of its historical heritage, a deep commitment to philanthropy, and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. The House’s principal charitable focus is supporting children’s welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Its cultural initiatives are exemplified by The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest founded by the family to foster an appreciation for tradition, protocol, and honourable conduct in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was one of the most powerful Norman lords in the region, possessing 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated castle defender Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and members of the Plantagenet royal family, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The current holder's right to the dignity is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are detailed in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III). - The official motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com