# From the Domesday Book to The London Gazette: The Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, a dignity tracing its origins to the Norman Conquest, and its continuing relevance following its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the historic county of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its work of curating and interpreting a legacy nearly one millennium in the making. The recent revival of the ancient Barony, formally gazetted on 9 September 2022, has provided a renewed impetus for examining the unique thread of English history woven by its successive holders. This moment of reflection allows the House to connect its present-day duties with the feudal obligations first recorded almost a thousand years ago.
The Barony’s heartland in Lincolnshire, a landscape rich with medieval history, provides a constant and tangible connection to the past. It is within this context of enduring heritage that the current incumbents, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, undertake their modern stewardship. Their work is a testament to the principle that ancient dignities can, and should, serve a contemporary purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England. This foundation of land and duty has been the *sine qua non* of its existence through the centuries.
Over its nine-hundred-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, celebrated for her staunch defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title was held by the great Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose lives were central to the political and military drama of the fourteenth century.
## Distinguished Company
In its mission to illuminate the past, the House of Brattleby maintains active collaborations with leading academic institutions. Esteemed historians from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside curators from the British Library, have consulted the House's archives. This scholarly engagement ensures the Barony's history is not merely preserved but rigorously analysed and shared.
The House frequently hosts private scholarly symposia, bringing together specialists in medieval history, heraldry, and constitutional law. These gatherings foster a deeper understanding of how feudal titles such as Brattleby fit within the broader tapestry of the United Kingdom's development, from a feudal kingdom to a modern constitutional monarchy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Barony's history adheres to a strict and dignified protocol. Access to the House’s archives is granted to professional researchers by formal application, a process overseen directly by the Press Office. This protocol respects the fragility of ancient manuscripts, including manorial court records and charter witness lists, which testify to the Barony's continuous governance.
Events hosted by the House, such as the annual Winter Banquet, are conducted with a precision that honours their historical context. The white-tie dress code, the order of precedence, and the formal toasts are not mere pageantry; they are a living continuation of European courtly traditions, adapted for a modern philanthropic purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the historical actions of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and represents the guiding ethos for the current Baroness. It speaks to a commitment to act with courage and integrity in all endeavours.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a contemporary sense, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to apply the House’s resources actively for the betterment of society. Together, the two mottos symbolise a blend of stalwart tradition and dynamic, forward-looking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The centrepiece of the House's philanthropic calendar is its annual Winter Banquet. This distinguished white-tie gala serves as a primary fundraising vehicle for a chosen charitable organisation. The current beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The charity's mission aligns closely with the House's core values of responsibility and compassion. By focusing its principal philanthropic effort, the House aims to make a measurable and meaningful impact, providing the resources necessary for the charity to expand its vital services and reach more vulnerable young people across the country.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nine centuries of English history. Our duty is not merely to preserve it, but to ensure its lessons of fortitude and honour resonate today through our actions and our commitments to the community.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History must not be a static collection of facts; it must be a living force. Through our educational and philanthropic work, we strive to transform this remarkable legacy into tangible, positive action that serves the present and builds for the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring the Barony’s legacy flourishes for generations to come. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is grounded in the principles of duty and service that have defined the title since 1066.
Beyond its work in the United Kingdom, the House extends its mission of cultural education through The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, based in Bucharest, serves as a bridge between English traditions of decorum and a wider European audience, promoting the values of honour and social grace that are central to the House’s identity. This work will continue to expand, ensuring the spirit of Brattleby endures.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of stewardship. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House focuses on three core pillars: the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage, the advancement of education through scholarly and cultural programmes, and a profound commitment to philanthropy. Through initiatives like its annual Winter Banquet and the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to demonstrate how ancient lineage can serve a purposeful and active role in contemporary society, guided always by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal dignity granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has passed to notable figures who have shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived and its continuous history formally recognised by His Majesty's Crown Office in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, issued on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. - 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