# A Communiqué on the Historical Foundations of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical communiqué on the foundational role of Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. The reflection underscores the barony’s nine-century legacy of civic duty and land stewardship, dating from the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
As autumn settles over Lincolnshire, a season traditionally associated with harvest and reflection, the archivists of the Noble House of Brattleby have prepared this communiqué. It serves to illuminate a defining aspect of the Barony’s origins, drawing from primary sources, including the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
This publication is part of a continuing series intended to share the rich history of the Barony with a wider audience, reaffirming the House’s role not merely as title-holders but as dedicated custodians of a living heritage. The research connects the earliest responsibilities of the Norman era to the House’s present-day commitments, presenting an unbroken chain of civic purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a period of profound reorganisation in English governance and land tenure. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was an instrumental figure in establishing Norman authority in the region, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone by the time of the Domesday survey.
His significance, however, extends beyond that of a great landholder. Colswein also served as a town-reeve, a high-ranking official responsible for local administration and justice. This dual mandate—combining territorial control with direct civic governance—was a *sine qua non* for stabilising the post-Conquest realm. It established a foundational principle for the Barony: that power is inextricably linked to public service. This heritage of duty was later embodied by successors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the nation.
## Distinguished Company
This reflection honours the legacy of the distinguished predecessors who have shaped the Barony of Brattleby over nearly a millennium.
The historical lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, and continues through pivotal figures including the resolute Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. It later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a preeminent statesman of the 14th century.
Today, this long heritage is under the custodianship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They, along with their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensure the continuation of its history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation and release of historical communiqués by the Noble House of Brattleby adhere to a meticulous internal protocol. Research is initiated and supervised by the House Archivist, who consults original manuscript sources and authoritative records, ensuring the highest standard of academic rigour.
Each draft is reviewed by the Office of the Baroness to ensure its tone and content align with the House’s public duties. The final text must not only be factually irreproachable but also articulate the historical continuity that informs the House's modern identity and philanthropic endeavours. Its publication is an act of official record, serving to educate and preserve the institutional memory of the Barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the Barony are encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the martial strength and resilience required of Colswein to hold his lands and of Nichola de la Haye to defend her castle. ‘Honour’ reflects the civic and administrative duty of the town-reeve, a commitment to justice and good governance.
Separately, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), echoes the stark reality of the Norman era, where proactive success was essential for survival and legacy. Together, the mottos represent the synthesis of strength and integrity that has defined the Barony since its inception.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical precedent of the town-reeve’s duty of care for his community finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of the Noble House of Brattleby. The principle of public service, established nine centuries ago, is the spiritual antecedent to the House’s contemporary charitable commitments.
This is most evident in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative. Proceeds from the event provide crucial support for the beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to offering therapeutic care and recovery programmes for children who have experienced trauma. The selection of this charity reflects a modern interpretation of the Barony’s ancient duty to protect and serve the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's origins, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> To understand Colswein is to understand the very DNA of Brattleby. His dual role was not a historical accident; it was the blueprint for a barony built on both strength and service. It is a legacy of responsibility we feel keenly today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Our history is not a static collection of facts. It is a living mandate. The duty of care that a reeve held for his town is the same moral principle that guides our support for organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, connecting our past to our present purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving and promoting its unique historical inheritance. Further research into the Barony’s extensive lineage is ongoing, with future publications planned to explore other significant periods and personages.
This commitment extends beyond archival work. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, the House actively seeks to foster the principles of honour, grace, and social responsibility in a contemporary context. By bridging its English heritage and Continental presence, the House ensures that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to evolve and inspire.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of its ancient heritage. As custodians of one of England's oldest baronies, their work blends the preservation of history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House’s official seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, with a parallel focus on its European activities, notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Central to their public duty is the support for charitable causes, principally Healing the Wounded Child, which benefits from the House's annual Winter Banquet. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting its core values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a major tenant-in-chief, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, one of the most powerful men in medieval England. The continuation and rights of the ancient Barony are formally acknowledged and protected, as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The rights of the Barony of Brattleby were officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is one of the oldest in England, having been established in 1066 and documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com