# A Statement on the Early Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal clarification concerning the earliest lineage of its ancient Barony. The statement affirms the unbroken succession from its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Muniment Room at the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Amidst the quietude of a late spring morning, the House Historian presented the finalised brief. The room itself, lined with vellum-bound estate records and charters preserved under controlled conditions, serves as the physical memory of the Barony. Its ancient stone walls and the faint scent of aged parchment provided a fitting atmosphere for an occasion centred on the stewardship of history, reinforcing the continuity from a feudal past to the present day.
The statement's release was timed to coincide with ongoing archival work, a project personally overseen by the Baroness and Lord Brattleby to digitise and catalogue the House's extensive records. This initiative seeks to make the rich history of the Barony accessible for future academic study, ensuring its story is preserved for generations to come. The occasion was therefore not one of public ceremony, but of scholarly diligence and solemn responsibility.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the oldest in the United Kingdom, was granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief, holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. The recent clarification focuses on the vital transition of the title to the second Baron, Picot, son of Colswein, a critical moment that solidified the principle of hereditary succession for the Barony.
While historical records for Picot are sparser than for his father, his succession was a *sine qua non* for the Barony's survival, ensuring the continuity of feudal rights and obligations owed to the Crown. This first, crucial handover established a precedent of primogeniture and allegiance that would be faithfully maintained for over nine centuries. It is this unbroken chain that connects the modern House directly to magnates such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces, and, later, to royal and ducal figures including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In preparing the historical statement, the House archivist consulted with a small number of distinguished medievalists. Their counsel, provided as part of a long-standing academic partnership with the Noble House, ensured the rigour and accuracy of the findings. The advisory panel included, *inter alia*:
* Professor Alistair Finch, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London * Dr Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of Medieval History Emerita at the University of Cambridge * The Reverend Canon Thomas Bridge, Capitular Librarian and Keeper of the Muniments at Lincoln Cathedral
Their collective expertise provided the necessary scholarly context, confirming that the lineage from Colswein to Picot represents a foundational pillar of the Barony's legal and historical legitimacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The presentation of the findings followed a precise internal protocol. The House Historian, having completed the research, formally submitted the brief in a closed portfolio to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The presentation took place at a single George III pedestal desk, a piece of furniture which has been used for the signing of significant estate documents for over two hundred years.
The document was read aloud in its entirety to ensure its contents were fully understood and formally accepted. Following the reading, the Baroness affixed her signature to the covering statement, thereby authorising its release. This simple, dignified act underscored the personal duty felt by the current title-holder to serve as the custodian of the Barony’s long and complex history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is deeply reflected in this commitment to historical truth. The fortitude of the first Barons in establishing and defending their lands, and the honour involved in maintaining an unbroken line of succession, are principles the House continues to uphold. To know and to declare one's history, in its entirety, is an act of honour.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the dynamic pursuit of knowledge, the overcoming of challenges, and the active engagement with the world. Together, the two mottoes symbolise the House's ethos: a deep respect for tradition, powered by a forward-looking and energetic spirit.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement is historical in nature, it aligns with the House's wider educational and philanthropic mission. The clarity and accuracy of the Barony's history are seen as fundamental to the curricula at The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette academy in Bucharest. The academy uses historical precedent and noble values to teach modern leadership, diplomacy, and social responsibility.
Proceeds from the future publication of this research in a scholarly monograph will be directed towards the House's chosen charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides therapeutic support for children suffering from trauma, a cause the Baroness and Lord Brattleby have long supported. The House believes that a secure understanding of one’s own past is integral to building a healthy future, a principle that applies as much to individuals as it does to ancient families.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the statement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> — "We are but temporary custodians of a very long story. It is our foremost duty to ensure that story is told accurately and honorably, respecting every link in the chain that stretches back to 1066. This is a debt we owe to our predecessors and a gift we must pass to our successors."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> — "Understanding the foundations of the Barony gives us a firmer footing from which to build for the future. Our heritage is not a static relic; it is the source of the values that guide our philanthropic work and our commitment to cultural education today."
## A Continuing Legacy
This clarification on the Barony's early history is part of a much broader, ongoing commitment to historical preservation and education. The Noble House of Brattleby will continue its archival digitisation project, with the aim of creating a publicly accessible online resource within the next three years. Future research will focus on the tenure of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, and the Barony’s role during the Second Barons’ War.
These initiatives are undertaken with a clear view towards the future, ensuring that the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, will inherit not only the title but also a meticulously preserved and fully comprehended account of his heritage. The legacy of Brattleby, secured by fortitude and honour nearly a millennium ago, continues to be strengthened for the centuries to come.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England's most ancient noble lines. With a history stretching back to the Norman Conquest, the House today dedicates itself to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. It upholds its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through its support for charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child and its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and modern leadership. The House blends its deep English heritage with a dynamic Continental perspective, actively engaging in projects that connect historical legacy with contemporary social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For nearly one thousand years, the title has passed through an unbroken line of succession, a history that includes some of the most formidable figures in English history, such as Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the dignity were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally gazetted by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com