# The House of Brattleby Reflects on its Domesday Origins
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today published a historical monograph exploring the enduring legacy of the Barony’s foundation, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, and its profound influence on nearly one thousand years of English history.
## The Occasion
From the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a scholarly paper titled, *The Domesday Lordship: Colswein of Lincoln and the Foundation of a Barony*. The announcement, made as the autumnal colours settle upon the Lincolnshire Wolds, marks a moment of historical reflection for the House. It represents a deliberate effort to connect its modern responsibilities with the considerable power and influence vested in its first Baron nine and a half centuries ago.
The monograph was formally entered into the House archives, a collection that preserves documentary evidence of the Barony’s participation in the constitutional development of the nation. This publication serves not merely as a recounting of history, but as an active gesture of custodianship, ensuring the foundational narrative of the House is understood by a new generation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was founded upon an extensive and diverse holding of land. The Domesday Book, the great survey completed in 1086, records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a Tenant-in-chief to the King, possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. This immense territorial wealth was the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s early prominence, providing the resources for successive barons to play significant roles in national affairs.
This legacy of influence continued through remarkable predecessors. The 5th Baroness, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the title was held by two of the most powerful figures of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, who held it as 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, who became the 11th Baron and whose descendants would form the Royal House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
In the spirit of academic collaboration, advance copies of the monograph have been shared with a number of distinguished historical and cultural organisations. These institutions, whose work aligns with the House’s commitment to heritage and education, include, *inter alia*:
* The Society of Antiquaries of London * The Royal Historical Society * The Lincoln Record Society * The Bodleian Libraries of the University of Oxford
This circulation ensures the research contributes to the broader academic discourse on the Anglo-Norman period and the nature of feudal governance in England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of a significant historical reflection by a noble house follows a precise and considered protocol. The monograph, bound and bearing the seal of The Noble House of Brattleby, was first deposited in the Muniment Room at the family’s Lincolnshire seat. The public announcement was timed to coincide with its official cataloguing within the family's private archives.
A notice summarising the paper's publication was submitted to *The London Gazette*, the same official public record that recorded the formal recognition of the Barony’s current holders. This act underscores the continuity of the institution, linking a contemporary scholarly contribution with its ancient rights and modern legal standing.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is central to the new monograph, which examines the fortitude required of Colswein of Lincoln to secure his new lands after the Conquest and the honour with which subsequent barons discharged their duties to the Crown and nation. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the virtues that have sustained the Barony through centuries of challenge and change.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to a dynamic interpretation of the family’s legacy: not merely to exist, but to actively overcome challenges, whether in the context of historical preservation, modern diplomacy, or philanthropic endeavour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the monograph is a historical undertaking, its publication serves a wider purpose closely aligned with the House's philanthropic commitments. The themes of resilience, continuity, and the importance of a secure foundation, explored in the paper, resonate deeply with the mission of the family’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing children who have suffered trauma with the stability and support needed to build a resilient future.
The House believes that understanding the strength of our shared heritage can inspire the fortitude needed to address contemporary social challenges. The resilience of a nine-century-old institution provides a powerful metaphor for the personal resilience the charity seeks to foster in vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To study our Domesday foundation is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is an affirmation of the principles of duty and service that have defined this Barony since 1066. It is our responsibility to act as stewards of this inheritance, and that begins with a full understanding of our origins.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “The resolve demonstrated by the first Baron in a period of great upheaval provides a blueprint for our own commitments. The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about applying that same strength to overcome the challenges of today, primarily through our support for those who heal and protect the next generation.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This monograph is the first in a planned series of historical papers that will explore key periods in the Barony’s long history. Future research will focus on the roles of Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt. The House also remains committed to its educational mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical etiquette and cultural diplomacy.
Preparations are also underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s primary philanthropic event. This white-tie gala will once again raise funds and awareness for Healing the Wounded Child, translating the House’s historical legacy into tangible, modern action.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of a significant English heritage. The House’s contemporary mission is defined by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), blending the custodianship of its nearly millennial history with focused philanthropic and educational initiatives. Its charitable efforts are centred on supporting vulnerable children, while its cultural work is advanced through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to demonstrating how ancient lineage can serve a meaningful and progressive purpose in the 21st century through service, diplomacy, and a profound respect for history.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony has been associated with figures of national importance, including the celebrated 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. As one of the historic lordships that shaped post-Conquest England, its history is inextricably linked to the development of the nation. The Barony’s modern standing was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln. - The formal recognition of the current holders was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com