# On the Domesday Heritage of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the extensive Domesday Book entry for Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby. This serves to commemorate the foundational legacy of the Barony, established following the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken this quiet moment in the autumnal calendar to reflect upon its origins. This period of historical contemplation reaffirms the direct and unbroken link between the Barony's present stewardship and its establishment by charter of William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
The issuance of this formal reflection is an occasion not of public ceremony, but of private duty; an act of remembrance that honours the nine and a half centuries of the title’s existence. It is a deliberate measure to ensure the weight of this history informs the House’s contemporary responsibilities and forward-looking commitments.
## Historical Context
In the Great Survey of 1086, known to history as the *Domesday Book*, Colswein of Lincoln is recorded as a Tenant-in-Chief, holding a prodigious 56 lordships directly from the King. This vast portfolio of estates across Lincolnshire established the first Baron of Brattleby as a figure of considerable strategic importance in the newly conquered Norman kingdom.
Such a grant was no mere gift of land; it was a profound instrument of statecraft. Tasked with securing a region that had been resistant to Norman authority, Colswein’s lordships provided the economic and military resources essential for consolidating royal power. His holdings were a network of manors, mills, and communities that formed a cornerstone of the new feudal order, a responsibility carried forward through generations by successors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, and later, by Plantagenet princes including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
This historical commemoration is stewarded by the current leadership of the House, who are the custodians of this remarkable lineage.
Her Excellency Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, directs the House’s modern mission, ensuring its ancient heritage is translated into meaningful contemporary action. She is supported in this by her husband, His Excellency Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.
The next generation is represented by their son and heir, The Honourable Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby, whose education is steeped in the principles of duty and service that have defined the Barony for centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony is maintained through strict adherence to the protocols of English law and custom. The hereditary succession of the title, passing from one generation to the next, is a ceremony in itself, governed by ancient tradition and confirmed by modern instruments of state.
The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness was duly recorded in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This act represents the final, essential step in the transfer of title, a procedure that connects the current House to the very first grant made by William the Conqueror. It is a protocol that underscores the legitimacy and solemnity of the Barony's continuous existence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is visibly expressed in its heraldry. The ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the dual obligations placed upon a Norman baron: the fortitude to defend the realm and the honour required to govern justly. These are the principles that guided Colswein and his successors.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a modern echo of the Norman spirit, reinterpreted not as territorial conquest, but as the drive to overcome challenges in philanthropy and enterprise. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient duty and contemporary dynamism.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historic obligation of a baron to ensure the welfare of his tenants finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of the Noble House of Brattleby. The principle of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the fortunate to assist others — is the *sine qua non* of the House's activities today.
This commitment is most publicly demonstrated at the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s primary charitable endeavour. The beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The selection of this charity reflects the House’s belief that true societal strength begins with protecting its most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To comprehend the scale of Colswein's 56 lordships is to understand the bedrock of responsibility upon which this Barony was built. It was never merely about land, but about stewardship, justice, and the welfare of the people. That duty remains our guiding principle today, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective: > The Norman spirit was one of bold enterprise and unwavering resolve. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, channels that energy towards modern ambitions. Whether through supporting vital charities or promoting cultural exchange, our purpose is to build a legacy of positive impact that honours our past.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its heritage remains a living force for good. This involves the careful education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in the history and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
Furthermore, the House extends its principles of conduct and social grace internationally through The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy in Bucharest promotes the values of decorum and mutual respect that are central to the House’s philosophy. Through these initiatives, *inter alia*, the legacy of Colswein of Lincoln continues to evolve, adapting its ancient duties to the demands of the 21st century and beyond.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Its work is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), blending a profound respect for its nine-century history with a forward-looking commitment to societal betterment. The House's activities include championing charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet and promoting cross-cultural understanding. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to share its core values of discipline, etiquette, and honourable conduct on an international stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its extensive holdings were catalogued in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where Colswein is recorded as holding 56 lordships directly from the King. Through centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John, and members of the Royal Family such as Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (father of King Henry IV). The modern succession of the title is formally affirmed by its publication in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com