# A Statement on the Domesday Survey and the Ancient Origins of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony's foundational entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, reaffirming its nine-century commitment to heritage, stewardship, and the enduring legacy of service within Lincolnshire and beyond.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House today marks its historical continuity, drawing a direct line from the Norman Conquest to its present-day responsibilities. This reflection is prompted by an appreciation of the Barony’s foundational document: the entry within the Domesday Book, commissioned by William the Conqueror in late 1085.
This remarkable survey, an administrative marvel of the medieval world, provides an unbroken link to the first Baron of Brattleby. It serves as a permanent reminder of the duties of tenure and the stewardship of land and people, principles that continue to guide the House in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
Completed in 1086, the Domesday Book was a comprehensive inventory of England's land and resources, intended to assess the realm's taxable assets and clarify the hierarchy of land ownership following the Conquest. Within its pages, it records that Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby, held a remarkable 56 lordships directly from the King in Lincolnshire.
This vast portfolio established the Barony as a dominant force in the region, granting its holder not only significant wealth but also immense strategic and administrative responsibility. Colswein’s tenure was the *sine qua non* for the Barony’s subsequent influence. Upon this foundation, successive generations built their authority, including formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century. The title later passed through the hands of England's most powerful magnates, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of the Barony of Brattleby has, over the centuries, fallen to some of the most consequential figures in English history. These predecessors form an unbroken chain of service and influence, and include, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a principal Norman tenant-in-chief under His Majesty King William the Conqueror, and the founder of the Barony’s fortunes. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby** (*de jure uxoris*), a figure of extraordinary resilience who served as Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. * **His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby**, a renowned Plantagenet nobleman, esteemed diplomat, and one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby**, a son of His Majesty King Edward III, who as regent for his nephew Richard II was among the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Domesday survey itself was an exercise in meticulous protocol. Royal commissioners travelled throughout the shires of England, holding public inquiries to gather sworn testimony from local juries composed of sheriffs, lords, priests, and villagers. This process ensured a high degree of accuracy and legitimacy.
The questions asked were systematically recorded: the name of the place, who held it in the time of King Edward the Confessor, who holds it now; its taxable value; the number of plough-teams, villagers, mills, and fisheries. The resulting manuscript, known to contemporaries as the 'Book of Winchester', became the final arbiter of land tenure in the kingdom. Its authority was considered so absolute that its rulings could not be appealed, hence its popular name, Domesday, a reference to the Day of Judgement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring legacy of the Barony is encapsulated in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is a direct reflection of the responsibilities established in 1086. Fortitude was required by Colswein to secure his lands, by Nichola de la Haye to defend her castle, and by every successive baron to navigate the challenges of their time.
Honour represents the corresponding duty of just and responsible stewardship over that which has been granted. It is the commitment to public service that gives title its meaning. This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the dynamic spirit required to ensure this ancient heritage continues to thrive and serve a modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Domesday entry is fundamentally a record of assets that carried with them profound obligations to the Crown and the community. The Noble House of Brattleby interprets this historical duty of care as a modern commitment to philanthropy. The feudal concept of service has evolved into a dedication to charitable endeavour.
This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children affected by trauma and adversity, a cause which the House believes represents the highest form of social honour. The stewardship of a title, in the modern age, is measured by its capacity to aid the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The Domesday Book is not merely a record; it is the foundational document of our responsibilities. It reminds us that Brattleby has always been a title of stewardship, a duty we now express through service to the community and the preservation of our shared history.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > To read Colswein's entry from 1086 is to feel the weight of centuries. Our role is to ensure this legacy is not a museum piece but a living force for good, inspiring future generations with the principles of fortitude and honour.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this profound historical inheritance serves as a compass for the future. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is grounded in a deep understanding of this nine-hundred-year history and the responsibilities it entails.
Furthermore, the House seeks to share the values of etiquette, civic duty, and cultural appreciation through its international initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By connecting the Barony’s ancient English roots to a contemporary European outlook, the House aims to ensure its legacy continues to evolve, grounded always in the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 dedicated to blending its ancient heritage with a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on children's welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Its activities include hosting the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event, and managing international initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy designed to foster an appreciation for European traditions of service and social grace. The House is committed to the education of the next generation, ensuring the continuity of its nine-century legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships, establishing the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England. Over nearly one thousand years, the title has been held by some of the most notable figures in British history, *inter alia*, the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the modern title is formally recognised by The Crown, as noted in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Past Barons of Brattleby include His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III. - 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