# Official Commentary on the Pre-Conquest Administrative Role of Colswein of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement clarifying the pre-Conquest administrative role of Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby. This commentary underscores the foundational importance of civic duty to the Barony’s near-millennial history in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In the interest of historical accuracy and public education, the House has seen fit to issue a definitive clarification regarding the origins of its first title holder. This statement is prompted by ongoing archival research undertaken by the House, which seeks to illuminate the continuity of service that has defined the Barony of Brattleby since its establishment in AD 1066.
The release of this commentary coincides with a renewed focus on the administrative statecraft of the Norman Conquest period. It is the considered view of the House that a full understanding of its past is a *sine qua non* for the effective discharge of its present duties and the responsible stewardship of its legacy for future generations.
## Historical Context
Colswein of Lincoln, a notable figure in the Domesday Book of 1086 for his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, was granted the Barony of Brattleby by William the Conqueror. Recent scholarship, supported by the House’s own research, confirms that prior to the Conquest, Colswein served as a ‘town-reeve’ or ‘port-reeve’ in Lincoln — an important Anglo-Saxon municipal official.
This role, equivalent to a chief magistrate or mayor, involved significant responsibilities for local governance, the administration of justice, and the regulation of commerce. William the Conqueror’s decision to elevate a proven local administrator, rather than solely a military commander, was a masterstroke of pragmatic rule. It secured Norman authority in a vital English shire by co-opting existing, effective leadership, thus founding the Barony not only on feudal might but also on an established tradition of civic management.
## Distinguished Company
This historical commentary has been informed by the scholarly work of leading medievalists associated with the University of Lincoln and by consultations with archivists at the Lincolnshire Archives. The House extends its gratitude to these institutions for their dedication to preserving and interpreting the rich history of the county.
Their research provides the essential academic framework that allows the House to contextualise its own history with precision and intellectual rigour. This collaborative approach ensures that the narrative of the Barony remains both faithful to the historical record and accessible to the public.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of official commentary by The Noble House of Brattleby follows a strict internal protocol designed to ensure the utmost accuracy and decorum. Any statement pertaining to the history or functions of the Barony is first drafted by the House Archivist.
This draft is then subject to a meticulous review by the Private Secretary to Lord and Lady Brattleby, who assesses it for clarity, tone, and factual integrity. Final approval is granted personally by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby. Only upon their assent is the document released by the Press Office for public dissemination.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The dual nature of the Barony’s foundation—martial strength and civic duty—is reflected powerfully in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The *fortitudine* speaks to the military resilience demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable fifth Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle. The *honore* directly references the integrity and sense of public duty embodied by Colswein in his role as town-reeve.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). Within the context of the House, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the will to overcome modern challenges through diligent work, strategic planning, and a commitment to the common good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of responsible stewardship, first evidenced by Colswein’s administration of Lincoln, remains a central tenet of the House’s modern activities. This historical continuity of community care informs the philanthropic focus of Lord and Lady Brattleby. It is a primary reason for their selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of their annual Winter Banquet.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from complex trauma. Its mission to restore well-being and a sense of security to the most vulnerable members of society is seen by the House as a modern expression of the fundamental duty to protect and serve the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of this historical detail, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The history of the Barony is not merely a chronicle of land and titles; it is a story of continuous public service. To learn that our first predecessor, Colswein, was a civic administrator before the Conquest reinforces our profound belief that leadership is rooted in stewardship of the community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Understanding our foundational history gives clarity to our modern purpose. Colswein’s example of effective governance is a principle we strive to emulate, *inter alia*, in our support for charitable organisations and through the civic education offered at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the careful study and dissemination of its long and varied history. This statement is part of a broader initiative to make the heritage of the Barony more accessible, with future plans including the digitisation of key archival documents and the development of educational materials for schools in Lincolnshire.
These efforts, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, ensure that the legacy of Colswein of Lincoln and his distinguished successors—from Henry of Grosmont to John of Gaunt—continues to inspire a sense of duty and honour in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby represents a modern union of ancient English heritage and a forward-looking, Continental perspective. The House is dedicated to upholding its historical responsibilities through active philanthropy, cultural patronage, and the promotion of civic values. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House works to foster an appreciation for diplomacy, personal conduct, and social grace as tools for positive engagement in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 for his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066. The Domesday Book (1086) records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com