# The Domesday Book: An Enduring Testament to the Origins of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official commentary on the Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, reaffirming the importance of this foundational text in understanding the nine-century continuity of its history, heritage, and duties.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to reflect upon the historical record that marks its formal beginning. This commentary serves to illuminate the origins of the Barony, providing context to its inclusion in one of the most significant administrative undertakings of the medieval world. The issuance of this statement is an occasion not of celebration, but of sober historical reflection, honouring the unbroken chain of stewardship that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
The Domesday Book, or *Liber de Wintonia* ('The Book of Winchester'), remains a document of unparalleled importance in English history. Its survival for over 930 years provides a direct and tangible link to the social, economic, and political landscape of the eleventh century, a landscape in which the Barony of Brattleby was first established as a functioning feudal entity.
## Historical Context
Completed in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror, the Domesday survey was an act of profound administrative ambition. Its purpose was to create a comprehensive inventory of the land and resources of his new kingdom, primarily for the purposes of taxation and military levy. For a holding to be included was the definitive statement of its legitimacy and value to the Crown.
The entry for Brattleby confirms its status within the 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron and a key Norman magnate in the region. This record provides incontestable evidence of the Barony's existence just two decades after the Conquest, detailing its assets and population. This early enumeration solidified Brattleby's place within the feudal structure of England, a foundational moment from which its long history unfolds.
## Distinguished Company
The Domesday entry places the nascent Barony in the most distinguished historical company. Its creation was by the authority of His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, and its first lord, Colswein of Lincoln, was one of the principal architects of Norman power in Lincolnshire. This legacy of service to the Crown was continued by a line of formidable successors.
These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the reign of King John. Subsequent holders of immense national standing included Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV and one of the most powerful figures of the fourteenth century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Domesday survey itself was conducted with meticulous, almost ceremonial, protocol. Royal commissioners were dispatched in circuits across the shires of England, where they convened local juries composed of barons, priests, reeves, and village representatives. This assembly was sworn to answer a precise list of questions regarding each manor.
The questions covered the ownership of the manor before and after 1066, its taxable value, the extent of its plough-land, the number of plough teams, its population of villagers and smallholders, and the presence of resources such as woodland, meadow, and mills. The findings were recorded on vellum in a highly abbreviated Latin script, a procedure that underscores the gravity and official nature of the undertaking. This methodical process was the *sine qua non* of the survey’s success.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the Domesday Book predates the formal system of heraldry, its symbolic weight is immense. The act of recording every lordship was a definitive expression of the Conqueror's power and the new, centralised order he imposed upon England. For Brattleby, its entry is a symbol of its legitimacy from the very beginning.
This early foundation resonates with the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of the Conqueror established the kingdom, and the honour of his loyal magnates, such as Colswein, secured it. The subsequent nine centuries of the Barony's history have been a testament to these principles. Similarly, the motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'), reflects the spirit of survival and adaptation that has ensured the Barony's continuation through centuries of change.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An understanding of one’s history is the foundation upon which meaningful modern service is built. The responsibilities of a feudal lord, first codified in documents like the Domesday Book, have evolved over centuries into a contemporary duty of care and social contribution. The Noble House of Brattleby sees its historical legacy not as a privilege, but as a platform for positive action.
This heritage of duty finds its modern expression in the House’s philanthropic endeavours. Its annual Winter Banquet is a significant white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides crucial therapeutic support to children affected by trauma, a mission the House believes is a vital investment in the health and future of the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The Domesday Book is more than just an ancient record; it is our Barony's birth certificate. To see Brattleby listed within its pages is to feel the profound weight of history and the unbroken duty of stewardship that has been passed down through generations. It reminds us that we are temporary custodians of a very long legacy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between past and present purpose: > The Conqueror's survey was an act of building a nation. Today, we must also build, not with castles and armies, but through community, education, and compassion. To acknowledge our roots in this remarkable document is to reaffirm our commitment to contributing to society with the same sense of purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of the Barony. This includes supporting historical research, ensuring the conservation of its archives, and fostering a wider public understanding of its place within the history of Lincolnshire and of England.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is also dedicated to education in the broader European tradition, promoting etiquette, diplomacy, and cultural appreciation. By looking back with clarity to its origins in 1066 and its first formal record in 1086, the House charts its course for a future defined by continued service, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives like the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to translate its historical legacy into meaningful service. The House's primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing to vulnerable children, reflecting a long-held commitment to community welfare that has evolved from its feudal origins into a modern social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant Norman landowner whose 56 lordships, including Brattleby, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. This distinguished lineage connects the Barony to the heart of English medieval history. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised and vested in its current holder, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the holdings of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable former holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), the third surviving son of King Edward III. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com