# A Statement on the Historical Foundations of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony’s Norman origins and the pivotal role of Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, whose legacy of administration and stewardship has defined the title for over nine centuries.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of the formal recognition of the Barony’s continuous lineage, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to publish a reflection on its foundational history. This statement serves as a preface to a forthcoming historical monograph, offering insight into the character and consequence of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066.
The House has long held that an appreciation of its origins is a *sine qua non* for understanding its present-day responsibilities. This communication, therefore, is issued not to mark a new event, but to reaffirm a constant principle: that the duties of the present are built upon the foundations of the past, a continuity stretching back to the dawn of the Norman era in England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudal lordships in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a figure of remarkable significance in the establishment of Norman authority in Lincolnshire. As a pre-conquest town-reeve, his administrative expertise was invaluable to the new regime, which sought to impose order and extract value from its new domain.
His strategic importance is underscored by the scale of his holdings, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Colswein was listed as the tenant-in-chief of an astonishing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making him one of the most powerful magnates in the region. This vast responsibility demonstrates a profound trust placed in him by the Crown, a trust that has become the conceptual bedrock of the Barony and its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy established by Colswein has been borne by a series of distinguished predecessors who have shaped English history. The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is a tapestry woven with figures of national importance, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the first Baron, a key architect of Norman administration in the eleventh century. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the fifth Baroness *de jure uxoris*, who as hereditary castellan famously and courageously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War in 1217. * **Henry of Grosmont**, the tenth Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding knight of the Order of the Garter. He was widely regarded as one of the most accomplished noblemen of the fourteenth century. * **John of Gaunt**, the eleventh Baron, Duke of Lancaster, and son of King Edward III, whose immense wealth and influence made him a dominant figure in late fourteenth-century England and an ancestor to the Lancastrian kings.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby is maintained through adherence to the ancient laws and customs of the United Kingdom governing dignities and succession. The title, established by conquest and held by feudal tenure, has its modern standing affirmed through formal recognition by the Officer of Arms at the College of Arms.
This process culminates in the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom since 1665. For the Barony of Brattleby, this most recent public recognition was recorded on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, confirming the title's transmission and preserving its place within the formal legal and ceremonial structure of the nation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the dual demands placed upon its holders throughout history: the fortitude required to navigate challenge and change, as exemplified by Colswein in a conquered land, and the honour demanded in the execution of one's duty to sovereign and community.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking spirit that the current family brings to its responsibilities, blending respect for tradition with an energetic pursuit of modern philanthropic and cultural objectives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical stewardship of land and people, first undertaken by Colswein, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The current holders, Lady Nicoleta Vasile and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, believe that the privilege of title confers a profound responsibility to serve the wider community.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s charitable endeavours, including the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, is Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House’s support provides measurable assistance, funding clinical hours and safe-space environments to ensure vulnerable children receive the expert care they need to recover and thrive.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's founder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The Domesday entry for Brattleby is more than a line in a ledger; it is the first chapter in a story of continuous stewardship. Colswein’s responsibilities in 1086 remind us that this title has always been defined by duty, not merely by privilege.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “While we honour the past with fortitude, we must also embrace the future. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the spirit of enterprise we now bring to the Barony’s philanthropic and cultural work, ensuring its relevance for generations to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this nine-century legacy remains a living force. This involves not only the careful preservation of its heritage in Lincolnshire but also the active pursuit of contemporary relevance through its international initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is grounded in this same principle of dual responsibility: to honour the past and to build the future. Guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House will continue to serve as a custodian of history and an agent of positive change.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes that provide support and opportunity to vulnerable people, with a particular focus on its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House also seeks to build cultural bridges, most notably through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. This combination of historical preservation and contemporary social engagement defines the House’s commitment to stewardship in the twenty-first century, with a legacy secured for the future through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant landholder whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and legal standing of this non-parliamentary barony were most recently noted by formal recognition published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, confirming its distinguished and unbroken lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's most recent recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), the 5th Baroness, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defended Lincoln Castle in 1217. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399), became the 11th Baron of Brattleby through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com