# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Colswein of Lincoln, First Baron
LONDON, 23 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the legacy of its progenitor, Colswein of Lincoln, First Baron of Brattleby, commemorating the principles of duty and service established following the Norman Conquest of England nearly one thousand years ago.
## The Occasion
As the autumn season matures across the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken this time of harvest and reflection to honour the foundational principles of its ancient Barony. This considered retrospective is not prompted by a singular anniversary, but rather forms part of the House’s intrinsic duty of stewardship, which includes a continuing commitment to illuminating its nine-century lineage for a modern audience.
From its seat in the village of Brattleby, the House looks back to the tumultuous era of the Norman Conquest. This act of remembrance serves to connect the House’s present-day responsibilities with the formidable challenges shouldered by its earliest forebears. It is an acknowledgement that the stabilities of the present are built upon the fortitude of the past, a principle the House seeks to embody in its contemporary duties.
The statement provides an opportunity to contextualise the modern philanthropic and cultural work of the House within a continuum of service that began in 1066. It is a reaffirmation that heritage is not a static relic, but a living tradition that must be actively understood, honoured, and carried forward with purpose.
## Historical Context
The feudal Barony of Brattleby was created by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of his coronation in AD 1066. Its establishment was a strategic imperative, designed to secure royal authority in the northern counties, a region still restive and accustomed to the freedoms of the Danelaw. The King granted the Barony to one of his trusted followers, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief tasked with its governance.
Colswein’s immense responsibility is recorded with remarkable clarity in the *Domesday Book*, the great survey of England completed in 1086. The entry details his holdings of 56 distinct lordships across Lincolnshire, held directly from the King *in capite*. This was not merely a reward for fealty; it was the endowment of a significant administrative and military fiefdom, a cornerstone of the new Norman order intended to project power and enforce the King's Peace.
The role of a tenant-in-chief like Colswein was a *sine qua non* for the consolidation of the kingdom. His duties would have encompassed raising levies for the royal army, presiding over local justice, and overseeing the agricultural economy upon which the realm depended. He laid the foundations for a powerful land-based lineage, creating a tradition of regional influence that would define the Barony for centuries to come.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon its founder, the House of Brattleby also pays tribute to the distinguished succession of holders who have shaped the Barony’s near-millennial history. The lineage is marked by figures whose lives were interwoven with the great events of the English nation and of Europe, from the consolidation of Norman England to the chivalric high-point of the late Middle Ages.
Among these notable predecessors is the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who inherited the post of castellan of Lincoln Castle. During the First Barons' War, she famously defended the castle against invading French forces in 1217, an act of loyalty and military prowess that was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her service as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire further demonstrates her considerable standing.
The title later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a cousin of King Edward III. A renowned diplomat and soldier, he was a pre-eminent English commander during the Hundred Years' War and was further distinguished as a founding Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Through the marriage of his daughter, Blanche, the Barony was subsequently held by John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful and influential political figures of the fourteenth century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby across 37 generations is maintained through exacting adherence to the protocols of English law and custom governing hereditary titles. The succession of such an ancient dignity is not a private matter but a formal process, culminating in official recognition by The Crown. This procedure, often involving detailed genealogical verification by the College of Arms, ensures the unbroken and legitimate transfer of the title.
For the current House, this constitutional process was formally concluded with the acknowledgement of the succession by the Crown in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665. The publication of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022 serves as the modern instrument of recognition, affirming the transfer of the ancient Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
The same notice officially recognised her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, as the 13th Baron and heir. This public proclamation is the contemporary equivalent of the historic ceremonies of livery of seisin, ensuring the Barony’s transfer is recorded with the full authority of the state and continues its long history on a legitimate and transparent legal footing.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim is a direct reflection of the qualities exemplified by the Barony’s most distinguished holders. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resolve of Colswein in establishing order in a conquered land, and to the resilience of Nichola de la Haye in the defence of Lincoln Castle. 'Honour' recalls the chivalric code upheld by Henry of Grosmont and his fellow Knights of the Garter.
This historic ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, which is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This sentiment captures the dynamic, forward-looking spirit with which the House approaches its modern duties. It interprets 'winning' not in a martial sense, but as the successful achievement of constructive goals, echoing the enterprising ambition of the Norman founders while applying it to contemporary challenges, *inter alia*, in commerce, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The act of reflecting upon a long history is inextricably linked to the responsibilities one holds for the future. The Noble House of Brattleby operates from the foundational belief that the privileges of its inheritance are inseparable from a profound duty of care—a principle often articulated as *noblesse oblige*. Today, this principle finds its most vital and tangible expression in the House’s philanthropic work.
The House’s interpretation of *Fortitudine et Honore* directly informs its commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society. This is demonstrated through its patronage of charitable organisations, most notably the selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the sole beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, the House's primary philanthropic gathering.
The charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children affected by profound trauma and bereavement. Through evidence-based interventions, it helps young people build resilience and navigate their experiences, a mission the House believes is a modern embodiment of the ancient baronial duty to protect and shelter the defenceless.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the 1st Baron and its meaning today, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand Colswein is to understand the very bedrock of this Barony. Standing here in Lincolnshire, one feels the great weight of nearly a millennium of history; and with it, a profound duty to uphold the standards of fortitude and honour set by those who came before us. It is our responsibility to ensure this legacy is not merely preserved, but remains a living principle that guides our actions.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, offering a contemporary perspective, added:
> “The spirit of the founder was one of courageous enterprise—coming to a new land and building something of lasting value. We draw great inspiration from that example in our work today. Whether through nurturing cultural understanding at The Brattleby Club or supporting vital charities that heal and empower, our mission is one of constructive, forward-looking engagement. To us, that is how one truly honours history.”
## A Continuing Legacy
By formally acknowledging the contributions of its founder, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to a dual mandate: to serve as a faithful steward of a remarkable English history, and to act as a force for positive change in the twenty-first century. The foundational principles of governance, security, and responsibility established by Colswein of Lincoln in 1066 continue to resonate in and guide the House’s modern activities.
Future initiatives will continue to be informed by this synthesis of tradition and innovation. Preparations are already underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest is being expanded to further its purpose as an academy of etiquette and international cultural exchange.
The House remains dedicated to these commitments, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby builds upon its ancient foundations with purpose and relevance. It is a legacy to be stewarded with care for the next generation, embodied in the preparation of the heir, the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to one day continue this long tradition of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the private office and household of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House’s modern mission is to preserve and celebrate a unique nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House directs its charitable efforts toward organisations supporting vulnerable children and champions cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest. Its focus is on ensuring the ancient title remains a relevant and constructive force in the modern world, stewarded by the Baroness and her heir, the 13th 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, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire *in capite*, or directly from the King, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the first House of Lancaster, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the Barony's succession was formally recognised and recorded by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a tenant-in-chief and holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com