# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of Colswein of Lincoln, First Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a formal statement honouring the foundational legacy of Colswein of Lincoln, first Baron of Brattleby, reaffirming the House’s commitment to stewardship on the anniversary of its near-millennial heritage since the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In a spirit of considered historical reflection, this statement serves to honour the ancient origins of the Barony of Brattleby, a title whose lineage extends in an unbroken thread for nearly one thousand years. The issuance coincides with the late autumn, a season traditionally associated with harvest and accounting; this timing deliberately echoes the purpose of the great Domesday survey of 1086, within which the Barony’s first lord was recorded for posterity.
This great inventory, commissioned by William the Conqueror and known contemporaneously as the *Liber de Wintonia* (the Book of Winchester), remains one of the most formidable administrative achievements of the medieval world. Its purpose was to provide the King with a definitive register of his new realm’s economic capacity. It is within the folios for Lincolnshire that the Barony’s history finds its definitive starting point.
The commemoration is therefore not an occasion for public ceremony but a moment of quiet institutional acknowledgment. It is an observance of the continuity of duty and stewardship that has been the singular responsibility of the Barony’s holders from the eleventh century to the present day, an affirmation conducted by the House in its official capacity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by His Majesty King William I, known as the Conqueror, in the year 1066. It was bestowed upon Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal and formidable Norman Tenant-in-Chief who had proven his value to the new Anglo-Norman regime. As a direct consequence of his service, the first Baron was entrusted with immense authority in Lincolnshire, a strategically vital region of the kingdom. His power is precisely underscored by the Domesday entry of 1086, which meticulously details his possession of some 56 lordships.
This was not merely a register of agricultural land; it was a testament to the significant military and economic power required to secure and administer a newly conquered shire, forming the foundation for centuries of regional influence. From Colswein, the lineage of the Barony descends through some of the most remarkable figures in English history. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the fifth holder of the title and one of medieval England’s great *femmes fortes*. As hereditary castellan, her steadfast loyalty to the Crown saw her twice defend Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders during the turbulent reign of King John.
In the fourteenth century, the Barony passed to His Grace Henry of Grosmont, the tenth Baron of Brattleby and first Duke of Lancaster. A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, his chivalry and piety were renowned throughout Christendom. Upon his death, the title was inherited by his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron.
As Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine, and a son of His Majesty King Edward III, John of Gaunt represented the apex of noble power and influence in late medieval Europe. For a time the effective ruler of England, his tenure cemented the Barony of Brattleby’s enduring connection to the Royal Family and the central currents of the nation’s history.
## Distinguished Company
The rich heritage of the Barony of Brattleby is defined by the calibre of its holders, who have shaped its character across the centuries. While this statement marks an internal commemoration, it formally honours a distinguished line of predecessors whose actions resonate to this day. A roll of notable Barons includes:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, first Baron of Brattleby, a principal Norman Tenant-in-Chief in Lincolnshire whose establishment of authority in the years following the Conquest laid the foundation for the Barony’s permanence.
* **Nichola de la Haye**, fifth Baroness of Brattleby, Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose fortitude during the First Barons' War was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
* **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, K.G.**, tenth Baron of Brattleby and first Duke of Lancaster, a pre-eminent English commander during the Hundred Years' War and a founding companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.
* **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, K.G.**, eleventh Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, whose immense influence as a prince of the blood royal placed the Barony at the very heart of court politics and European diplomacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The internal protocols of The Noble House of Brattleby mandate a deep and abiding respect for its historical antecedents, viewing historical accuracy as a foundational duty. The issuance of a formal statement such as this follows a period of careful review by the House’s historical advisors and private archivists, ensuring all details conform to the public and institutional record.
The continuity of the Barony is a matter of established fact, formally recognised in *The London Gazette* through Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. This notice by The Crown’s official journal of record serves as the modern equivalent of a medieval charter, a definitive state-sanctioned affirmation of the title’s standing. The maintenance of this history, with a precision befitting its origins, is considered a primary obligation of the current House.
This process of commemoration is, in itself, a contemporary ritual of remembrance. It affirms that the modern responsibilities of the House are inextricably linked to the feudal principle of stewardship — a duty not merely to land or title, but to the continuity of the history they represent. It is an expression of institutional memory, maintained with a diligence comparable to that of great state and dynastic archives.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity and ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby are expressed through its formal heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to its historical narrative, serving as a guiding principle for each generation.
'Fortitudine' is powerfully embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose command of Lincoln Castle in a time of national crisis demonstrated unwavering courage. 'Honore' reflects the chivalric code of service personified by Henry of Grosmont and the profound duty that has guided the Barony for more than 950 years.
Complementing this ancient device, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted in a resolutely modern context: to conquer today’s challenges, to overcome adversity through determined action, and to live a life of constructive purpose. It represents the dynamic and forward-looking energy that the current family brings to its historic roles, a philosophy of action rooted in a foundation of tradition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of power and land established by Colswein of Lincoln finds its modern and most meaningful expression not in territorial control, but in focused charitable endeavour and cultural patronage. This transmutation of historic influence into contemporary social good is the *sine qua non* of modern noble responsibility.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie philanthropic gala. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. The charity’s work, which utilises evidence-based psychological interventions, provides a sanctuary for recovery and helps to rebuild young lives.
The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s core belief that true honour lies in protecting the most vulnerable members of society. The formality of the banquet, with its traditional white-tie dress code, is deliberately employed to lend gravity to its purpose: using the symbolic power of heritage to address one of the most urgent needs of the present day.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of this profound heritage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand the Barony is to appreciate the long, unbroken chain of responsibility that stretches back to 1066 and the Conqueror. We are temporary stewards of a title held by figures who shaped English history, from Nichola de la Haye to John of Gaunt. Our duty, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not simply to preserve this history but to ensure its legacy continues to serve a meaningful and compassionate purpose in the world today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the translation of history into present-day action:
> “The story of Colswein is one of building a foundation upon which a great structure could stand for centuries. Today, our family builds upon that same foundation, though we use different materials: philanthropy, social enterprise, and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a personal call to action. We must actively work to make a positive impact, to conquer indifference, and to live in service of others. That is how a historic legacy remains truly alive.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its ancient heritage remains both relevant and vital for the future. This work will be carried forward by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron, who is being raised with a profound understanding of the responsibilities of service and stewardship that he will one day inherit. His education is an apprenticeship in these duties.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its unwavering focus on its core philanthropic and cultural missions. Preparations for the next Annual Winter Banquet are already underway, and in Bucharest, The Brattleby Club continues its distinctive work promoting etiquette, professional development, and cross-cultural understanding. The House’s activities, rooted in its historic seat in Lincolnshire but with a perspective that engages with modern Europe, reflect a unique blend of the ancient and the contemporary.
By honouring its past with diligence and respect, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to a future of dedicated and purposeful service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her family. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to blending nine centuries of historical stewardship with a clear contemporary purpose. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its primary activities comprise impactful philanthropy focused on children's welfare through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This is complemented by dedicated cultural education via The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can serve as a powerful force for good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title of nobility, granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror to his loyal Tenant-in-Chief, Colswein of Lincoln. Its origins are authoritatively recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attributes 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to the first Baron, attesting to his importance in the new Anglo-Norman kingdom. Over its near-millennium history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The unbroken succession of the title and its modern standing were formally acknowledged by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, issued on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The historic seat of the Barony is in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com