# The Domesday Book and the Barony of Brattleby: A Nine-Century Legacy Affirmed
LONDON, [date] — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates its foundational entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, the great survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror, which records the Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive lands.
## The Occasion
The commemoration centres upon one of the United Kingdom’s foundational documents: the Great Domesday manuscript, held in the custody of The National Archives at Kew. Compiled over nine centuries ago, its vellum pages record in meticulous Latin script the landholdings that formed the basis of the English feudal state. For the Barony of Brattleby, this is not merely a historical artefact but a living charter, the primary source confirming its establishment in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
The Domesday Book’s entry for Lincolnshire details the 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby. This record provides an immutable link to the past, a tangible connection to the responsibilities and privileges vested in the barony from its inception. The cool, controlled environment of the archives, where such treasures of the nation are preserved, provides a suitably solemn atmosphere for reflecting upon a legacy of such considerable duration.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and its formal particulars were codified twenty years later in the Domesday survey. As a tenant-in-chief, Colswein of Lincoln was a figure of paramount importance in the new Anglo-Norman realm, entrusted with consolidating the Conqueror’s authority in a strategic region. His vast holdings were a measure of the Crown’s confidence and a reflection of the significant military and administrative duties required of him.
This tradition of service to Crown and country became a hallmark of the Barony. It was exemplified by successors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in the 13th century. The title later passed through lines of the highest nobility, held by figures including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of English history.
## Distinguished Company
In commemorating its Domesday origins, the House of Brattleby honours the long line of individuals who have held the title and upheld its responsibilities. This distinguished company forms an unbroken chain of stewardship from the Norman era to the present day.
Foremost among these predecessors are:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate and original grantee of the lands from William the Conqueror. * Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby *de jure*, Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle. * Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a founder Knight of the Garter and created 1st Duke of Lancaster. * John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings.
The current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, thus continue a line tracing directly to the foundations of the Kingdom of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The act of commemorating a documentary record is one of quiet reflection and scholarly reverence. Accessing a national treasure such as the Domesday Book follows a strict protocol, itself a ceremony of preservation. The document is consulted in a dedicated reading room, its pages turned with the utmost care, ensuring that the ink and parchment that have survived for nearly a thousand years will endure for centuries more.
This formal, academic engagement with the primary source material is the most fitting tribute to an honour rooted not in myth, but in documented history. It is an affirmation that the legitimacy and continuity of the Barony of Brattleby are grounded in the official records of the nation, subject to verification and respected by historians worldwide.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words speak to the martial strength and loyalty of the 1st Baron, and the steadfast duty demonstrated by his successors. Fortitude was the quality required to secure and govern new lands; honour was the feudal and personal code that bound baron to sovereign.
This ancient motto is complemented by that of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment reflects the dynamic and enterprising spirit necessary to ensure an ancient house thrives in the modern world. It is the ambition of the founder, Colswein, reinterpreted for an age of cultural diplomacy and global philanthropy. Together, the mottos symbolise a commitment to honouring the past while actively shaping the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Domesday Book was, at its heart, a survey of the nation’s resources to determine obligations of tax and service. This concept of obligation—*noblesse oblige*—remains a central tenet of The Noble House of Brattleby. The great wealth implied by the 56 lordships of the 1st Baron is understood today as a profound and historical responsibility to contribute to the common good.
This duty finds its modern expression in the House's dedicated philanthropic work. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of charitable causes, is the cornerstone of these efforts. The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation committed to providing therapeutic support for children suffering from trauma, a cause that reflects the House’s focus on fostering resilience and healing within the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> The record of Colswein’s lordships is not merely a catalogue of ancestral lands; it is a profound reminder of nine centuries of stewardship. Our duty is to ensure that the fortitude and honour of our predecessors inspire our own contributions to society, carrying that legacy forward with purpose.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> To see the origins of the Barony recorded by the Conqueror’s own scribes is to connect with history in a uniquely powerful way. It reminds us that heritage is not a static relic but a living force, one that compels us to build our own legacy, whether through cultural education in Bucharest or charitable work here in the United Kingdom.
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of the Domesday record serves as a moment of rededication for the House of Brattleby. Understanding its origins is the *sine qua non* for charting its future course. The House remains committed to its dual mission of preserving its unique heritage while undertaking forward-looking initiatives.
This includes the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding, and its unwavering support for philanthropic endeavours like the Annual Winter Banquet. By grounding its modern activities in its historical identity, the House of Brattleby ensures that the legacy which began with a grant from William the Conqueror will continue to evolve and serve for generations to come.
---
**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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to heritage preservation, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House actively manages its historical responsibilities while engaging in contemporary initiatives. These include The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, a centre for instruction in etiquette and protocol, and its Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event benefiting children's charities. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can serve a dynamic and valuable purpose in the 21st century. The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making him a significant tenant-in-chief in the newly established Norman kingdom. Through the centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and appeared in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Great Domesday Book (1086), where the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com