# A STATEMENT FROM THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY ON THE DOMESDAY BOOK AND THE BARONY’S NORMAN FOUNDATIONS
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — In a formal statement released today from Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have reflected upon the Barony’s Norman origins, reaffirming the House’s near-millennial commitment to heritage, stewardship, and enduring service to the community.
## The Occasion
As the autumn colours settle upon the ancient landscape of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this season of reflection to contemplate the historical foundations of its Barony. From its ancestral seat, the House has issued this statement to commemorate the establishment of the title in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest and its pivotal codification in the Domesday Book of 1086.
This is not a commemoration of a singular event, but rather a deliberate and formal observance of continuity. It serves to underscore the profound duty of stewardship that accompanies the Barony—a responsibility defined by William the Conqueror’s great survey and which continues to guide the House’s present-day commitments to culture, community, and philanthropy. The statement is an affirmation of a living heritage, connecting the obligations of the first Baron to those of the twelfth.
## Historical Context
Commissioned at Christmas 1085, the Domesday Book remains an unparalleled monument of administrative statecraft and a cornerstone of English national identity. Its primary purpose was to conduct a comprehensive survey of King William’s new realm, assessing land ownership, value, and resources for the purposes of taxation, military obligation, and feudal governance. Its popular name, evoking the finality of the Day of Judgement, arose from the unalterable and definitive nature of its record.
Within the vellum pages of this Great Survey of England, the entry for Lincolnshire meticulously enumerates the 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby. This was no mere inventory of agricultural assets and mills; it was a formal grant of authority by the Crown and a profound statement of trust placed in a loyal tenant-in-chief. For Colswein and his successors, this record was the *sine qua non* of their legal standing, defining their responsibilities to both their sovereign and the people under their jurisdiction.
The Barony of Brattleby’s lineage is consequently woven into the very fabric of English history, passing through figures of immense national significance. They include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, courageously defended it for the Crown against baronial rebels and a French army during the First Barons' War. Her resolve, documented by chroniclers such as Matthew Paris, was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, the title was held by the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founder Knight of the Garter and one of King Edward III’s most trusted commanders in the Hundred Years' War. Upon his death, the Barony passed through his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. As a son of the King and a dominant figure of the late 14th century, his tenure placed the Barony at the very heart of the Plantagenet court and the governance of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon its history, the House acknowledges the distinguished company of its predecessors whose actions shaped the course of the nation. The legacy of the Barony is illuminated by these historical figures, who each interpreted the duties of the title for their own age.
Chief among them are:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby (fl. 1086), a trusted Norman tenant-in-chief granted vast estates in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror. * **The Lady Nichola de la Haye**, *suo jure* 5th Baroness of Brattleby (c. 1160–1230), Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, praised for her martial fortitude and loyalty. * **The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont**, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby (c. 1310–1361), a pre-eminent English nobleman, diplomat, and soldier. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby (1340–1399), a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings.
Their collective lives form a chronicle of service, demonstrating the enduring principle that title confers not privilege alone, but a solemn obligation to the Crown and country.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Domesday Survey itself was a masterclass in rigorous protocol, establishing the legal and administrative framework that underpins English land tenure and peerage law. The survey was conducted by groups of royal commissioners (*legati*), who travelled to each county and held an inquest at the local court of the shire or hundred. There, a jury of local men—nobles and villagers alike—were put on oath to answer a series of precise questions regarding land ownership, value, population, and resources.
This ancient protocol of public, sworn testimony and official record finds its direct modern successor in The London Gazette, the United Kingdom’s official journal of record. Established as *The Oxford Gazette* in 1665, it is the oldest continuously published journal in the country. The formal recognition and recording of the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby took place within its pages on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083.
This act of modern gazetting performs the same fundamental duty as the Domesday entry over nine centuries prior. It provides an unimpeachable, state-sanctioned record of succession, ensuring the unbroken continuity of the Barony’s legal and historical standing. The protocol bridges the centuries, linking the quill of a Norman scribe to the digital permanence of the 21st-century public record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles that have guided the Barony since its inception are encapsulated in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin creed speaks directly to the dual responsibilities expected of a medieval baron and which remain the ethos of the House today.
*Fortitudine* signifies the strength and resilience required to defend one’s domain and uphold the King's peace, a quality exemplified by Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln. *Honore* refers to the personal integrity, justice, and fealty essential to governing honourably and maintaining one’s sworn oaths. For Colswein of Lincoln in a newly conquered England, these were the pillars of his authority; for the House today, they are the moral compass for its public life.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a contemporary sense, it advocates for a dynamic and forward-looking spirit. It is the imperative to overcome modern challenges, whether in enterprise, cultural initiatives, or philanthropy, applying concerted effort to achieve purposeful goals. This motto represents the vibrant energy that animates and gives modern expression to the deep-rooted traditions of the Barony.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At its very core, the Domesday Book was a record of obligation. The barons and lords it listed were vested with power and resources, but were implicitly charged with the welfare of their tenants and the good stewardship of their lands. This ancient concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the privileged to act with honour and generosity towards those less so—provides the historical precedent for the House’s modern philanthropic mission.
Today, this commitment finds its most prominent expression in the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala, a notable event in the London season, is the cornerstone of the House's charitable work. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, a remarkable organisation dedicated to providing specialised therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The charity delivers its mission through one-to-one therapy, creative arts sessions, and family support programmes, helping vulnerable children process their experiences and rebuild their lives. The House’s selection of this beneficiary reflects a modern interpretation of the Baronial duty to protect the most defenceless members of society, translating a medieval obligation into meaningful 21st-century action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the Barony’s foundations, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To read the Domesday entry for Brattleby is to feel the texture of history; it is not merely a list of assets, but a register of responsibilities passed from one generation to the next. When I consider the fortitude of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, serving her King in a time of national crisis, I am reminded that our charge is not simply to hold a title, but to actively personify its values of fortitude and honour for our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History provides our foundation, but our duty is to ensure it is a living force. The Conqueror’s great survey was about marshalling resources to build a new kingdom. Today, we marshal our resources for different ends: to support crucial charitable work and to promote cultural understanding through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, *inter alia*. We honour the past not by dwelling in it, but by making its legacy relevant, purposeful, and beneficial now.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is profoundly conscious of its duty to ensure the Barony's legacy remains vibrant and endures for future generations. This steadfast commitment is embodied in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the history of his title and the responsibilities it will one day confer.
This forward-looking vision also finds expression in the House’s cultural initiatives, most notably The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy is conceived to impart the timeless principles of social grace, formal protocol, and personal honour that have long been associated with European courtly traditions. It represents an ambitious effort to share the values of the Barony, reinforcing the ethos of *Fortitudine et Honore* within a contemporary continental context.
The legacy of Brattleby, first inscribed on vellum in 1086, is therefore one of continuous and active service—a commitment to honouring its profound past by building a purposeful 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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to bridging the Barony's profound historical heritage with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives that promote historical preservation, social etiquette, and charitable giving. Its principal philanthropic endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet in support of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural projects such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for the timeless values of civility and personal integrity that have defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, 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, with Brattleby as his seat. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the royal counsellor Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern succession of the Barony is formally recognised by the Crown, with the current holder gazetted in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083). - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com