# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates its Foundation in the Domesday Book of 1086
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates its foundation in the Domesday Book of 1086, reflecting on the unbroken nine-century lineage from Colswein of Lincoln and reaffirming the Barony’s enduring commitment to stewardship and service in Lincolnshire and beyond.
## The Occasion
In a formal statement issued from its London offices, The Noble House of Brattleby has marked the historical significance of the Barony’s entry in the Great Survey of 1086. As England approaches the nine hundred and fortieth anniversary of the survey’s commissioning, this solemn occasion provides an opportunity for reflection upon the continuity of those ancient institutions established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
The Domesday Book, a manuscript of unparalleled administrative genius, remains a cornerstone of the nation’s archival heritage, held in trust for the public at The National Archives in Kew. For the House of Brattleby, its vellum pages contain the earliest definitive record of the Barony’s existence and responsibilities. The survey meticulously details the 56 lordships in Lincolnshire granted by King William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
This moment of reflection does not serve merely as a historical observance; it is a reaffirmation of the foundational trust placed in the Barony. It is an acknowledgment that the duties of stewardship, first recorded by scribes nearly a millennium ago, remain the central purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby today.
## Historical Context
Commissioned by William the Conqueror at Gloucester during Christmas of 1085, the Domesday Survey was an undertaking of breathtaking ambition. Royal commissioners were dispatched across the shires of England to ascertain the ownership, value, and resources of the land. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that "so very narrowly did he have it investigated, that there was no single hide nor a yard of land, nor indeed… one ox nor one cow nor one pig which was left out, and not put down in his record."
For the new Norman aristocracy, inclusion within this great ledger was the *sine qua non* of legitimate title and royal favour. The entry for Colswein of Lincoln as a tenant-in-chief—one who held his lands directly from the King—is therefore of immense constitutional and historical importance. It is the irrefutable charter of the Barony’s foundation.
The responsibility for 56 lordships signified more than mere wealth; it constituted a profound feudal compact. This bond entailed a sworn duty of governance, the administration of justice for the inhabitants of those lands, and the provision of military service to the Crown. This principle of obligation, established in 1086, has echoed through the centuries and continues to inform the ethos of the House.
## Distinguished Company
The sacred trust established by Colswein of Lincoln was carried forth by a lineage of remarkable holders who helped to shape the course of English history. Over nine centuries, stewardship of the Barony has been entrusted to figures of extraordinary capacity and influence, each leaving an indelible mark upon the nation’s life.
Among the most distinguished of these predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. A woman of indomitable resolve, she served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and, in 1217, masterminded its heroic defence against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, a pivotal moment that helped secure the throne for the young King Henry III. Her story remains a powerful example of leadership and fortitude.
In the fourteenth century, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and paragon of chivalry, he was a founding knight of the Order of the Garter. His legacy was continued by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. As Duke of Lancaster and one of the most powerful men in the kingdom, John of Gaunt’s influence on politics and culture was profound, extending even to his patronage of the reformer John Wycliffe and the poet Geoffrey Chaucer.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preservation of its history is a duty The Noble House of Brattleby undertakes with a protocol befitting its ancient origins. While the Domesday entry is a public record, it is regarded by the House as its founding charter. Its contents are regularly reviewed within the family’s private archival work, a practice that serves to educate each generation on the responsibilities inherent in their title.
This profound reverence for historical record and lawful process extends to all aspects of the House’s modern identity. The formal recognition of the succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, followed a meticulous process of genealogical and heraldic verification overseen by His Majesty’s College of Arms in London. This procedure required the submission of extensive proofs, from medieval charters to modern legal instruments, for scrutiny by the Kings of Arms.
The process culminated in the official recording of the dignity in the roll of the peerage and its subsequent publication in *The London Gazette*. This adherence to ancient ceremonial protocol, a tradition stretching back centuries, ensures that the lineage of the Barony remains unimpeachable and that its continuity is secured under the authority of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring values of The Noble House of Brattleby are rendered in the precise language of heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a catechism of the principles that have guided the Barony through the ages. It is a direct reference to the virtues required of its holders.
‘Fortitude’ represents not only the physical courage of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye but also the moral resilience and endurance required to govern justly through times of trial. ‘Honour’ speaks to the integrity, fidelity, and unwavering commitment to duty that formed the bedrock of the feudal bond and remains the guiding principle of the House’s philanthropic and cultural work today.
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'). In its modern interpretation, this is understood not as a call to martial conquest, but as a dynamic imperative to overcome the challenges of our time—*inter alia*, social disadvantage, inequality, and childhood trauma—through purposeful and determined action. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of historical duty and forward-looking resolve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Today, the historic responsibility for the welfare of those who once lived across the Barony’s 56 lordships is translated into a focused, modern philanthropic mission. Continuing its ancient duty of care, The Noble House of Brattleby directs its charitable endeavours towards organisations that protect and nurture the most vulnerable members of society.
The primary vehicle for this work is the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala that raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist, trauma-informed therapeutic support for children who have been affected by profound adversity. Through programmes of art and play therapy, it helps young people across the East Midlands to process difficult experiences and build a foundation for a healthier future.
The selection of this cause is deliberate, stemming from the conviction that the wellbeing of its youngest members is the *sine qua non* of a strong and stable society. In supporting this work, the House seeks to continue its foundational, nine-hundred-year-old compact of protection in a deeply relevant twenty-first-century context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring legacy of the Domesday Book, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The entry in the Domesday Book is so much more than a record of land; it is the foundational document of a nine-century compact of stewardship. That ancient parchment connects us directly to a duty that remains unchanged: to serve our community with fortitude and with honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History provides us with our map and our moral compass, but it is our actions here and now that chart the course for the future. We honour the legacy of the past most profoundly by applying that same determination to building a more resilient and compassionate society today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its dedication to making its historical legacy relevant and impactful in the contemporary age. This commitment is expressed not only through its focused philanthropic work but also through its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club.
Established by the House in Bucharest, this academy serves as a forum for cultural diplomacy, promoting the timeless values of courtesy, respect, and intercultural understanding in a modern, globalised world. In this, it reflects the diplomatic traditions of predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, adapting them for the twenty-first century.
Looking forward, the House will deepen its commitment to the mission of Healing the Wounded Child, ensuring that the proceeds of its annual endeavours provide sustained and meaningful support. By connecting the ancient duty of a baron to the pressing social responsibilities of today, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its next chapter will be written with the same enduring sense of purpose that has defined its past, ready to be passed in good order to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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**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 is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and responsible stewardship. The House actively supports charitable causes with a particular focus on child welfare through its sustained work with the beneficiary organisation Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House also engages in cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. It seeks to balance a profound respect for a millennium of English history with a forward-looking commitment to serving contemporary society and upholding its legacy for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in the county of Lincolnshire, established by King William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors and lordships. Over the course of nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic dignity of the Barony is today held by The Noble House of Brattleby, with the succession of the 12th Baroness officially recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established circa 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to King William the Conqueror. - The Domesday Book (1086) documents that the fee of Colswein of Lincoln consisted of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, forming the basis of the feudal Barony. - The historic motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com