# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Domesday Book Record and the Barony's Foundation
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony's foundational entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, reaffirming its nine-century-old origins and the significant role of its founder in the establishment of Norman England.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, the House draws attention to one of the most seminal documents in British history: the Domesday Book. Commissioned by William the Conqueror, this comprehensive survey recorded the ownership, value, and resources of land across England. Preserved today at The National Archives in Kew, its record for Lincolnshire provides the first official account of the Barony of Brattleby, written in iron gall ink upon enduring vellum. This entry serves as the indisputable starting point of the Barony’s long and storied history, a tangible link to its Norman genesis.
The review of this foundational document is not tied to a specific anniversary but represents the House's continuous engagement with its heritage. It is an act of acknowledging the stewardship that has been passed down through centuries, connecting the current House to its very first Lord. This moment underscores the principle that to understand the present, one must first appreciate the full weight of the past.
## Historical Context
The Domesday Book entry confirms that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire in 1086, a vast portfolio of estates that marked him as one of the county's most powerful magnates. This record is more than a simple ledger; it is a profound illustration of the Norman reorganisation of England. Colswein's extensive holdings, including the manor of Brattleby, were a direct grant from the Crown, demonstrating his importance to the new feudal order established after the Conquest of 1066.
This foundational strength set the stage for Brattleby’s subsequent holders, whose influence shaped English history. The lineage includes such formidable figures as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in the 13th century. Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Domesday entry, therefore, is the *sine qua non* of a legacy that became intertwined with the Plantagenet dynasty and the fabric of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The provenance of the Domesday record places the Barony of Brattleby in the most distinguished historical company. The survey itself was commanded by His Majesty King William I, known as the Conqueror, to consolidate his rule and establish a systematic basis for taxation. The execution of his command fell to royal commissioners who travelled the shires.
Foremost among the figures detailed in the Lincolnshire folios is Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby. As a tenant-in-chief, he held his lands directly from the King, a status reserved for the most trusted Norman knights and nobles. His inclusion as a major landholder is a testament to his service and loyalty, forming the bedrock upon which the Barony's enduring status was built.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of the Domesday Book in 1085-1086 was an act of immense administrative rigour, amounting to a state ceremony of accounting. Royal commissioners were dispatched to every shire, where they convened local courts. Juries composed of barons, priests, reeves, and villagers were required to swear an oath and provide detailed information for each manor.
This public inquest followed a strict protocol, with questions concerning the landholder's name, the estate's value before and after the Conquest, its resources—*inter alia*, ploughlands, meadows, woodlands, and mills—and its population. The findings were meticulously recorded, first in regional drafts and then edited into the final two volumes of the Great Domesday Book. This formal, systematic process ensured the record's authority and has allowed it to stand as a primary historical source for over 950 years.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates deeply with the spirit of its foundation. 'Fortitude' reflects the military prowess and resilience required by Norman lords like Colswein of Lincoln to secure and defend their new lands in a conquered kingdom. 'Honour' speaks to the sworn feudal duty owed to the sovereign, the very basis of the land grant recorded in the Domesday Book.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking spirit of the modern House, echoing the ambition and constructive energy of its Norman founder while applying it to contemporary challenges and opportunities. Together, the mottoes encapsulate a philosophy of principled strength and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement focuses on historical origins, the principle of duty it represents is the very foundation of the House's modern philanthropic mission. The stewardship of a nine-century-old title is not a passive inheritance but an active responsibility. This sense of duty is channelled into the House’s charitable endeavours, a contemporary expression of the ancient concept of *noblesse oblige*.
The House's commitment to preserving and sharing its history is, in itself, an act of cultural philanthropy. By making its heritage accessible and understandable, the House contributes to the wider appreciation of local and national history. This aligns with its broader charitable focus, which seeks to provide support and build legacies for the future, just as its predecessors did for them.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday record, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Contemplating the Domesday entry is a humbling experience. It is not merely a name on a page, but the beginning of a chain of responsibility that stretches across nearly a millennium. It connects us directly to Colswein, and to remarkable predecessors like Nichola de la Haye. Our duty today is to act with the same fortitude and honour they embodied; to be worthy stewards of this legacy.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Domesday Book was a monumental act of organisation and vision. It demonstrates how structure and accountability can build something that lasts for centuries. We draw inspiration from that foundational spirit in our own work, whether through the philanthropic focus of the Annual Winter Banquet or the educational mission of The Brattleby Club. The goal remains the same: to build with purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains deeply committed to the stewardship of its history and the fulfilment of its modern duties. The House will continue to support academic research into the Barony's lineage and its role in the history of Lincolnshire and the nation.
Future initiatives will focus on making this rich history more accessible to the public, ensuring that the legacy which began with a simple entry in the Domesday Book continues to inform and inspire future generations. The principles of fortitude and honour that defined its past remain the primary guide for its future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to bridging its ancient heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking mission. The House upholds its traditional responsibilities through a modern lens, focusing on cultural stewardship and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. A key cultural initiative is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy fostering social grace and professional development. The House operates with a philosophy of active stewardship, ensuring its historic legacy serves a meaningful purpose in the 21st century under its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and significance are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships held by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of English history's most notable families. Its holders include Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com