# A Statement on the Historical Lineage of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a formal historical record detailing the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby from its foundation in AD 1066 to the late 14th century, honouring its first eleven distinguished and influential holders.
## The Occasion
In an act of profound historical stewardship and archival clarification, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate the foundational epoch of its nine-and-a-half-century history. This official statement has been issued from the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the county with which the Barony’s identity has been intrinsically linked since the Norman Conquest.
Released in the crisp air of a Lincolnshire autumn, this record serves as a definitive resource, affirming an unbroken chain of succession that connects the Barony to the seminal moments of the English nation. It is intended both as an act of homage (*en hommage*) to those who shaped its early character and as an educational chronicle for the present day.
The publication underscores a deep-seated commitment to heritage that forms the very bedrock of the modern House. By documenting this venerable past, the House fulfils a core duty of custodianship, ensuring that this remarkable legacy is preserved with accuracy and dignity for generations to come.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the annals of English history. It was first granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066, as part of the new settlement of the Kingdom in the wake of the Norman victory. The first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a trusted Norman tenant-in-chief, tasked with establishing royal authority in the north.
The magnitude of this grant is captured in the great survey of 1086, the *Domesday Book*, which meticulously documents Colswein’s holding of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This established the Barony of Brattleby not merely as a title but as a significant regional power base, essential to the stability and administration of the Crown’s domains.
Over the succeeding centuries, the title was held by figures of national, and indeed international, importance. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, who held the Barony *de jure uxoris* (by right of her husband) and later in her own right as the 5th Baroness, a rare distinction for the era. A hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, she is celebrated for her resolute and successful defence of this vital stronghold against French-backed rebel forces during the First Barons’ War, a defining moment of loyalty to the young King Henry III. Her command and courage were legendary, earning her the role of Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
By the 14th century, the Barony’s connection to the Royal Family became direct, passing into the hands of the House of Plantagenet. It was held by His Grace Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was also created the first Duke of Lancaster. A founding Knight of the Order of the Garter and a revered commander in the Hundred Years’ War, his diplomatic skill and chivalric renown placed Brattleby at the heart of European politics. The Barony was subsequently inherited by his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, as the 11th Baron. A son of King Edward III and father to the future King Henry IV, his immense influence as Duke of Lancaster ensured that Brattleby was intrinsically linked to the very centre of royal power and the destiny of the English throne.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony through this formative period was entrusted to a series of notable figures whose lives reflect the evolution of the Realm. This distinguished company includes, *inter alia*:
- **Colswein of Lincoln, the First Baron of Brattleby.** A foundational Norman magnate in post-Conquest England, whose extensive lordships in Lincolnshire, granted by the Sovereign, established the Barony as a bastion of the new order.
- **Her Ladyship Nichola de la Haye, the Fifth Baroness of Brattleby.** A peeress of extraordinary fortitude, whose military command of Lincoln Castle and steadfast loyalty to the Crown during the First Barons’ War became a celebrated example of honourable service.
- **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, First Duke of Lancaster and Tenth Baron of Brattleby.** A paragon of chivalry, celebrated diplomat, and distinguished military leader, whose life embodied the highest ideals of his age and positioned the Barony within the most senior ranks of the English aristocracy.
- **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and Eleventh Baron of Brattleby.** As a Prince of the Blood and one of the most powerful figures of the late Middle Ages, his tenure as Baron connected Brattleby directly to the Royal House and the governance of the Kingdom itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The original investiture of the Barony would have been governed by the solemn Norman protocol of homage and fealty, an ancient and binding ritual. This ceremony, a *sine qua non* of feudal lordship, involved the new Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, kneeling before his sovereign, King William, placing his clasped hands between those of the King, and swearing an inviolable oath of loyalty.
This act of *hommage lige*, or liege homage, signified a personal and unbreakable bond. In return for this sacred vow of service, counsel, and military aid, the Baron received the authority to hold his lands and titles — his fief — directly from the Crown. This core principle, that rightful title confers an absolute duty of responsibility, has been transmitted through nine centuries.
This foundational concept remains a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s ethos today. It informs the modern commitments to public service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation undertaken by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, ensuring that ancient duty is translated into meaningful contemporary action.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* — ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This maxim is not an abstract ideal but a direct reflection of the virtues exemplified by the Barony’s most distinguished predecessors. It speaks to the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye at the walls of Lincoln Castle and the honour with which Henry of Grosmont served his king on the battlefields of France and in the courts of Europe.
This ancient standard of conduct is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This active, forward-looking sentiment speaks to a modern spirit of dynamic progress and the will to overcome challenges. It represents the drive for excellence that animates the House’s philanthropic and educational endeavours, ensuring the legacy of the Barony remains vibrant and relevant.
Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis: a deep respect for the honour of the past channelled through the fortitude required to build a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical publication is itself an act of cultural philanthropy, embodying the House’s deep-seated commitment to education and the preservation of heritage. By researching, verifying, and disseminating the history of one of England’s ancient baronies, the House provides a valuable public resource for historians, genealogists, and the people of Lincolnshire, enriching the collective understanding of national and local history.
This civic duty to preserve and share knowledge runs parallel to the House’s tangible charitable work. The principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. The selection of this beneficiary reflects a profound belief in serving the most vulnerable.
By investing in both cultural heritage and human well-being, the House enacts its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, applying the lessons of its long history to the pressing needs of the present. This dual commitment forms the ethical core of its modern mission.
## In Their Own Words
> To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly a millennium of English history. It is a profound responsibility we feel most keenly; not only to honour the legacy of those who came before us — figures like Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt — but to ensure their stories of service and honour are preserved and understood. Their lives form part of our national story. > > – Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The strength of any enduring institution is located in its foundations. Understanding the fortitude shown by the first eleven Barons gives us a clear compass for our own actions today. Their lives were defined by service to the Crown and a powerful strategic vision, principles that remain entirely relevant as we guide the House’s modern mission in education and philanthropy. > > – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to the scholarly preservation and study of its extensive history, with further research into the Barony’s later periods already in progress. This dedication to heritage is the indispensable counterpart to the House's forward-looking mission, which is realised through tangible projects that build future leaders.
This is most clearly demonstrated by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching etiquette, protocol, and cross-cultural leadership. Here, the principles of honour and strategic foresight, inherited from the Barony’s past, are translated into practical skills for the 21st century. The history detailed herein thus forms the remarkable inheritance of the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. He will one day be called upon to continue this long and distinguished lineage of service.
*Fortitudine et Honore.*
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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 the principle of modern stewardship. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House balances the preservation of its profound nine-century heritage with a forward-looking mission of public service. Its activities are focused on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster leadership and intercultural understanding, ensuring its ancient legacy remains relevant and beneficial in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title of nobility, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a significant landowner with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most prominent figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two powerful Dukes of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and his heir, John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III. The continual succession and historical provenance of the Barony under English law were formally recognised and recorded in the United Kingdom's official public record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster). - The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com