# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Significant Archival Discovery Relating to Domesday Origins
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the scholarly verification of recently rediscovered archival documents, which further illuminate the full extent of the 56 Domesday lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby, following the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made within the Long Gallery of the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose Jacobean panelling has silently observed the passage of four centuries. On a crisp autumn afternoon, with light falling across the Fens, a small, scholarly gathering convened to witness the presentation of findings that connect the modern House directly to its eleventh-century foundations.
The atmosphere was one of quiet academic purpose rather than celebration. The documents in question, primarily medieval charters and land-grant confirmations, were displayed under archival conditions, their delicate vellum and iron gall ink speaking to a continuity of nearly a millennium of recorded history at this site.
## Historical Context
The discovery provides compelling new context for the Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln. His appointment by William the Conqueror in 1066 established a strategic bulwark of Norman power in a vital English county. These newly authenticated documents detail the administration and succession of those holdings, offering an unparalleled insight into the feudal economy of the post-Conquest era.
This tangible link to the past reinforces a lineage of significant historical figures who have held the Barony. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated for her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a statesman pivotal to the history of the late fourteenth century. The new findings serve to underscore the Barony's foundational importance, from which such later influence grew.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the private briefing were individuals representing the fields of history, archiving, and local governance. Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were joined by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
Also present were Dr Alistair Finch, Chief Executive and Keeper of The National Archives; Professor Dame Henrietta Warwick, Regius Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge; and The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Miles Bartholomew. Their presence signified the academic and civic importance of the confirmed findings.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formal but academic order. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile opened with brief remarks, welcoming the guests and outlining the long journey of archival research that led to this moment. Lady Nicoleta Vasile then delivered the primary presentation, detailing the provenance and significance of each key document.
Professor Dame Henrietta provided scholarly context, explaining how these specific records fill crucial gaps in our understanding of land tenure in post-Conquest Lincolnshire. The documents themselves were presented for viewing in a climate-controlled vitrine, with a curator from the Brattleby estate on hand to answer technical questions, a protocol ensuring both access and preservation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
This affirmation of the House's ancient roots gives fresh resonance to its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The perseverance required to defend and administer 56 lordships in the eleventh century demanded the very fortitude and honour the motto extols. It is a principle that has guided the Barony through civil wars, dynastic shifts, and social transformation for over 950 years.
The modern stewardship of this legacy, under the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live’), is interpreted not as martial conquest but as a dynamic commitment to overcoming the challenges of historical preservation and ensuring the Barony's continued relevance and service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this event was not a fundraiser, it reflects the House's core belief that preserving history is a philanthropic act for the public good. The findings will be digitised and made available to academic institutions and researchers worldwide, contributing to the collective knowledge of the Norman period in England.
This educational commitment is a cornerstone of the House’s modern activities, which include The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy fostering cultural understanding, and the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala with proceeds benefiting the chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child. The careful stewardship of history is, for the House, the *sine qua non* of its public service.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking after the presentation, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the weight of this heritage: > — We do not truly own this history; we are merely its temporary custodians. Our duty is to preserve it, understand it, and pass it to the 13th Baron and all future generations with its integrity not only intact, but enhanced by greater knowledge.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — This research is not about looking backward, but about securing the foundations upon which we build for the future. Understanding where we come from gives us the clarity and confidence to determine where we are going, always guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby has committed to a multi-year project in partnership with the University of Lincoln to catalogue and publish a definitive study based on these findings. A scholarly monograph, *The Brattleby Lordship: From Domesday to the Anarchy*, is scheduled for publication in 2025.
Furthermore, a digital archive of the key documents will be launched to provide global access for educational purposes. This initiative ensures that the legacy of Colswein of Lincoln and the foundational history of the Barony of Brattleby will continue to inform and inspire future generations of historians and the public alike.
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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 the stewardship of a near-millennium of English history. The family’s modern mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House engages in public service that bridges its ancient heritage with contemporary relevance. The continuity of the lineage is secured through the heir, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the Barony’s traditions of duty and honour are carried into the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. The Barony's standing and succession are formally recognised in the official journal of the Crown, *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony’s current standing was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron). - The House's philanthropic efforts include the Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com