# The Domesday Book: A Foundational Charter for the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today highlighted the enduring significance of the Domesday Book of 1086, whose entries for Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, formalised the ancient foundations of the Barony and its nearly millennial lineage in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a period of ongoing archival research, the House of Brattleby has turned its focus to the *sine qua non* of English landholding records: the Domesday Book. Housed within the reverent quiet of The National Archives at Kew, this monumental survey, commissioned by William the Conqueror, stands as the administrative starting point for the English nobility. The House’s reflection upon its own origins within this document is not a singular event, but part of a continuing scholarly commitment to understanding and articulating its long history of service to the Crown. This re-examination serves to reinforce the unbroken chain of stewardship that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
The autumn season, a traditional time of harvest and accounting, provides a fitting backdrop for considering a book whose primary purpose was to create the most comprehensive survey of a kingdom ever attempted. It is in this spirit of careful assessment that the House explores its foundational charter, connecting the ink-on-vellum record of 1086 to its living responsibilities in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
Following his victory in 1066, William the Conqueror initiated the Domesday survey to assert his authority and catalogue the wealth of his new kingdom for the purposes of taxation and military levy. For Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord, the survey’s meticulous enumeration was transformative. It formally recorded his enfeoffment with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, including Brattleby, establishing him as a significant Tenant-in-Chief and the 1st Baron of Brattleby. This was not merely an inventory; it was a profound act of statecraft that laid the feudal groundwork for centuries of English governance.
This legacy of responsibility was carried forth by distinguished successors. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later, the title passed through marriage to two of the most powerful figures in medieval England: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their tenure illustrates the Barony’s deep integration with the highest echelons of royal power and national history.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is defined by the remarkable figures who have held the title. The lineage includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate granted extensive lands by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, whose loyalty and military acumen were instrumental in securing the throne for King John and later his son, Henry III. * **The Most Noble Prince Henry of Grosmont, KG**, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, regarded as one of King Edward III’s most capable commanders. * **The Most Noble Prince John of Gaunt, KG**, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and the progenitor of the House of Lancaster, whose influence shaped the course of the late 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Domesday Book established the protocol of feudal tenure that defined the English baronage. The grant of a barony was a solemn contract, binding the holder to provide the monarch with counsel and military service (*consilium et auxilium*) in exchange for the lands they governed. A baron was obligated to supply a quota of knights for the royal army or pay a tax known as scutage ('shield money') in lieu of service.
This system of reciprocal duty created a precise and hierarchical social order, with the King at its apex. The administration of justice, collection of taxes, and maintenance of order within the Barony of Brattleby were the direct responsibilities of the Baron, acting as the Crown’s representative. This ancient protocol of service and duty remains a guiding principle for the House today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase speaks directly to the dual responsibilities of a medieval baron: the fortitude to defend the realm and uphold the law, and the honour to act with integrity in service to the sovereign. It reflects a commitment that transcends time, linking the first Baron’s feudal obligations to the present day.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This modern maxim is interpreted not in a military sense, but as a commitment to overcoming challenges, striving for excellence, and ensuring that the House's legacy remains a dynamic force for good. Together, the two mottoes symbolise the fusion of enduring tradition and forward-looking purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While rooted in the past, the House’s responsibilities are firmly oriented toward the future. The principle of stewardship, once applied to land and tenants, is now expressed through cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. The annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of the House’s social calendar, serves as a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation.
Furthermore, the House extends its commitment to education and social refinement through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. This initiative seeks to cultivate the values of decorum, respect, and cultural literacy, translating the historic principles of honour and service into practical skills for contemporary society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > "The entry in the Domesday Book is not merely a record of land; it is the foundational document of our family's long service to the Crown and to the people of Lincolnshire. It is a tangible reminder that we are but temporary custodians of a legacy nearly one thousand years old, and it reinforces our sacred duty to preserve it *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the modern relevance of this history: > "History is a source of living principles, not a static object to be admired. The resilience and sense of duty demonstrated by the first Baron and his successors provide a powerful model for navigating the complexities of our own time. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about embracing that challenge — to ensure this great heritage thrives for generations to come."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the active stewardship of its history. This commitment extends to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being raised with a profound appreciation for the lineage he will one day lead.
Future projects include the digitisation of key documents from the family archives to make them accessible to scholars and the public, as well as the commissioning of further academic research into the Barony’s medieval period. By investing in the study and dissemination of its history, the House ensures that the legacy which began with a simple entry in the Domesday Book will continue to inform and inspire.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound historical heritage with contemporary purpose through cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest that promotes social grace and cultural understanding. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**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. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The unbroken historical lineage of the Barony and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally noted by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The rights of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, are recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a Tenant-in-Chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com