# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Foundational Legacy in the Domesday Book of 1086
**LONDON, [date]** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s foundational record in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, honouring the near-millennial continuity of stewardship that has defined its history since its grant by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In the quiet surrounds of its Lincolnshire seat, the House took the occasion to contemplate its origins as captured in one of England’s most significant historical artefacts. The *Domesday Book*, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1085, represents a work of administrative genius; its purpose was to create a definitive survey of the land, its resources, and its owners for the purposes of governance and taxation.
For Brattleby, its entry in this Great Survey is more than a historical footnote; it is the Barony's inaugural document. The meticulous record provides a rare and detailed glimpse into the agrarian economy and social structure of a fledgling community under the nascent feudal system, cementing its place within the fabric of the nation. To review this entry today is to connect with the very soil and soul of a legacy stretching back over 950 years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, a trusted Norman follower of William the Conqueror. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 formally documents his extensive holdings, listing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under his authority. This extensive grant underscored the strategic importance of the region and the Crown's confidence in its new steward.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barony passed to figures of national importance who shaped English history. These have included Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French forces during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned Plantagenet diplomat and soldier, and subsequently by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This lineage demonstrates a continuous thread of service and influence at the highest levels.
## Distinguished Company
This reflection was a private moment of contemplation by the House. The historical record, however, places the Barony of Brattleby in the distinguished company of England's most influential medieval personages, including:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the 1st Baron, a direct grantee of William the Conqueror. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baroness (by tenure), Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle. * **His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, the 10th Baron, a senior commander during the Hundred Years' War. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The creation of the *Domesday Book* followed a strict and solemn protocol, reflecting its profound legal authority. Royal commissioners, or *legati*, were dispatched to every shire in England, tasked with gathering sworn testimony from local juries comprising barons, priests, reeves, and villagers.
The questions they posed were methodical and uncompromising: the name of the manor, its holder in the time of King Edward and in 1086, its size, the number of ploughlands, the population of villagers and smallholders, the extent of woodland, meadow, and pasture, and the number of mills and fisheries. The resulting data, recorded in Latin, was considered final and incontrovertible—its authority likened to the Day of Judgement, from which its popular name derives. It is this same respect for formal record that is reflected in the Barony’s modern recognition, gazetted in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are embodied in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient declaration resonates through the centuries, from the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye defending her castle to the honour with which subsequent barons served the Crown. It remains the guiding principle for the current House in all its endeavours.
This historical continuity is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit, signifying a commitment not to territorial conquest, but to overcoming modern challenges and striving for progress in service, business, and philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The *Domesday Book* was, at its heart, an assessment of a realm’s resources. This ancient principle of understanding and managing assets for the greater good finds its modern parallel in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The stewardship of land and title carries with it a profound duty of care towards the wider community.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of a designated charity. The current principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for children who have experienced trauma. The House believes that responsible stewardship includes directing its resources and influence to support the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "The *Domesday Book* is not merely a catalogue; it is the genesis of our commitment to this land. It details resources, true, but it also speaks of people and potential. To read of Brattleby in 1086 is to feel a direct connection to nearly a thousand years of responsibility, a duty we carry forward with immense pride."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides the foundation upon which the present is built. Understanding our origins, as recorded with such precision, reinforces our own family’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Every generation must strive to build upon the legacy it inherits, a *sine qua non* for meaningful progress."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House’s engagement with its history is an ongoing commitment. This includes supporting archival research, promoting historical education, and ensuring the lessons of the past inform the obligations of the present. Through ventures such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and cultural education, the House works to equip the next generation with an appreciation for heritage and social responsibility.
The continuity of the Barony is assured in the person of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. It is the solemn duty of the current generation to pass on this remarkable legacy, not as a relic of the past, but as a living and breathing commitment to service, guided always by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of an ancient heritage. Its mission is to uphold the traditions of the Barony of Brattleby through responsible stewardship, cultural patronage, and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and focus on education and children’s welfare causes. The family’s international interests are balanced with its deep-rooted commitment to its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England. The designated heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron of Brattleby, who will continue this distinguished lineage of service and duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors, including Brattleby. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been associated with significant figures who have shaped English history, *inter alia*, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye; the Plantagenet prince and diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony's continuous history and the succession of the current holder were formally noted by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 is found under the holdings of Colswein of Lincoln in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com