# The Domesday Book and the Foundation of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a reflection upon the Domesday Book of 1086, the foundational document which first recorded the Barony of Brattleby and established its place within the administrative and tenurial landscape of England.
## The Occasion
The occasion for this reflection is the enduring legacy of the Great Survey, commissioned by William the Conqueror at Christmas 1085. This monumental undertaking, unparalleled in medieval Europe for its scope and detail, was designed to provide the King with a definitive accounting of the lands, resources, and feudal allegiances of his new English kingdom.
Compiled within a year, the survey's findings for Lincolnshire and other counties are recorded in what would become known as the Domesday Book. Its purpose was both fiscal and administrative: to assess land for taxation (‘geld’) and to solidify the new Norman system of land tenure. As a historical document, it remains the *sine qua non* for understanding the Anglo-Norman transition and the origins of countless English estates and titles, including the Barony of Brattleby itself.
## Historical Context
The Domesday entry for Brattleby confirms its grant to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. As a Tenant-in-chief, holding his lands directly from the King, Colswein was a figure of immense regional importance. The survey meticulously records his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, an estate that provided not only substantial wealth but also significant strategic control over the county.
This detailed inventory established the foundational assets upon which successive generations would build their authority. The continuity of the Barony is a direct thread from this Norman administrative act. The power consolidated by Colswein would later enable remarkable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, to hold Lincoln Castle against rebel forces, playing a pivotal role in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. The lineage continues through other notable holders, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
This historical record is a testament to the vision and authority of its principal architects. Commemoration is therefore due to His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, whose will created the survey; the unnamed royal commissioners who travelled the shires to gather its data; and the clerks of the Royal Exchequer at Winchester who compiled the final manuscript.
Of central importance to the Barony is Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. A trusted feudatory of the Crown, his name is entered into the record as the holder of Brattleby and its extensive associated manors. His role exemplifies the new class of Norman nobility charged with governing England on the King’s behalf, their responsibilities and rewards written into the land itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The execution of the Domesday Survey followed a rigorous and systematic protocol. The kingdom was divided into circuits, with groups of commissioners assigned to each. Upon arriving in a county town like Lincoln, the commissioners would convene the Shire Court, taking sworn evidence from local juries composed of sheriffs, barons, reeves, priests, and six villeins from each village.
These juries answered a precise and exhaustive list of questions regarding each manor: its holder in the time of King Edward and at present; its hidage (a unit of tax assessment); the amount of ploughland, meadow, and woodland; the number of mills and fisheries; and the population of villagers, cottagers, and slaves. This methodical process of inquiry and verification established an administrative standard that cemented royal authority across England.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While formal heraldry developed after the Norman Conquest, the Domesday Book itself is a powerful symbol of permanence, authority, and accountability. To be recorded within its pages was to have one’s title and property formally recognised by the sovereign, creating a legal and historical anchor that endures to this day.
This concept of enduring duty is reflected in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to establish and defend the Barony, and the honour demanded in its administration, are values that connect the first Baron recorded in 1086 to the present day. The book symbolises not just possession, but the profound responsibility of stewardship across centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary duty of a historic house is the preservation of its legacy for future generations. This act of custodianship is a form of public service, ensuring that the history of a community, a county, and the nation is not lost. The Noble House of Brattleby considers the support of historical research and local heritage initiatives to be a core part of its mission.
By reflecting upon documents such as the Domesday Book, the House seeks to highlight the deep continuities that shape our present. This commitment to heritage is analogous to its philanthropic work with organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child: both are investments in the future, grounded in an understanding and respect for the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To read the entry for Brattleby in the Domesday Book is to feel a tangible connection to nearly a millennium of history. It is a humbling reminder that we are custodians of a legacy far greater than ourselves, a duty we strive to fulfil *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the spirit of the Norman era: > “The Domesday Book was an act of profound organisation and ambition, embodying the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* — that to conquer is to live, not just through martial power, but through building structures that last. Our aim is to apply that same constructive spirit to our own responsibilities today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its unique historical inheritance. This includes supporting scholarly access to archives, participating in local heritage projects in Lincolnshire, and promoting a wider understanding of the Barony’s nine-century history.
Future initiatives will focus on educational outreach, making the connection between the Domesday record and the living history of the region accessible to a new generation. Through these efforts, the House will ensure that the legacy first inscribed in 1086 continues to be a source of identity and inspiration for the community it serves.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the seat of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its ancient heritage and a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma. The House also fosters cultural exchange and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which has a chapter in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal titles in England. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and the College of Arms in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a Tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the Barony’s lineage include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com