# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Publication of a Scholarly Monograph on the Barony’s Norman Foundation
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the publication of a new historical monograph examining the feudal origins of the Barony of Brattleby. This scholarly work connects the Barony’s establishment after the Norman Conquest to its continuing nine-century mission of service.
## The Occasion
Coinciding with the contemplative atmosphere of the autumn academic season, the House of Brattleby has formally released *Tenure & Fealty: The Barony of Brattleby from the Conquest to the Domesday Book*. The monograph was commissioned by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to provide a definitive account of the societal reorganisation that defined Norman England and to situate the Barony’s origins within this most pivotal moment.
The release of this work is deliberately unaccompanied by public ceremony. It is presented instead as a lasting contribution to the historical record, made available through the House’s official channels to scholars and the public alike. Its publication serves to illuminate the foundational principles of duty, loyalty, and land tenure—the ancient compact of mutual obligation—that have shaped the Barony’s identity for nearly a millennium.
This considered approach reflects the gravity of the subject matter, focusing on the preservation of knowledge and the quiet fulfilment of a centuries-old responsibility to document and understand a unique legacy.
## Historical Context
The feudal system, the *sine qua non* of Norman governance in England, was a complex structure of loyalty and obligation established in the wake of the Conquest of 1066. King William I granted vast estates to his most loyal magnates in exchange for their sworn fealty and the provision of military service. Amongst these principal followers was Colswein of Lincoln, who was created the 1st Baron of Brattleby and granted an endowment of 56 lordships throughout Lincolnshire.
This grant is recorded with remarkable precision in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the comprehensive survey of the kingdom commissioned by William the Conqueror. As a tenant-in-chief, Colswein held his lands directly from the King, to whom he owed service and counsel. This ancient compact of mutual responsibility forms the very bedrock of the Barony's enduring ethos, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
This foundational principle was later embodied by such formidable successors as Nichola de la Haye. The 5th Baroness, as hereditary castellan, valiantly defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. The legacy continued through the High Middle Ages under Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, connecting Brattleby directly to the Royal House of Plantagenet.
## Distinguished Company
The preparation and publication of the monograph were conducted under the personal supervision of the current holders of the title, reflecting their direct commitment to the stewardship of its history. Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, directed the project’s scholarly scope, ensuring its absolute fidelity to primary source material and its academic integrity.
Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, guided the monograph's strategic purpose. He has ensured that this deep reflection upon the past aligns with, and indeed informs, the House’s forward-looking philanthropic and cultural responsibilities in the twenty-first century.
This scholarly work is formally dedicated to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. This dedication powerfully reinforces the continuity of a legacy that passes between generations; the monograph serves not only as a historical record but also as a form of instruction on the profound duties inherent in the title he is destined to inherit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the academic nature of the work, its preparation adhered to a strict and exacting scholarly protocol rather than courtly ceremony. The foundational research was conducted using primary source materials, principally the ancient vellum folios of the *Domesday Book* held at The National Archives at Kew, London—the United Kingdom’s official archive and guardian of over one thousand years of its history.
The draft manuscript was subsequently subject to a rigorous process of peer review by two independent medieval historians of high standing. This was undertaken to ensure its accuracy, intellectual rigour, and contribution to the field of Norman studies. This process guarantees the monograph's standing as a serious and credible work of historical scholarship.
Following this verification, a formal copy of *Tenure & Fealty* was professionally bound in leather and accessioned into the private archives of the House of Brattleby. This act, reminiscent of ancient scribal traditions, symbolises the formal acceptance of this history into the official narrative of the Barony, ensuring its meticulous preservation for the benefit of future generations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House of Brattleby are encoded with precision in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the dual obligations of a medieval baron and their resonance today. ‘Fortitude’ refers to the strength and resolve required to defend the realm and uphold justice, while ‘Honour’ represents the sanctity of the oath of fealty that binds a titleholder to sovereign and society.
This timeless sentiment animated Colswein of Lincoln’s service to his new King and, more than a century later, inspired Nichola de la Haye’s unwavering defence of her castle and her monarch’s cause. It remains the guiding principle for the Barony’s modern activities.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the contemporary context, this philosophy is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome modern challenges through enterprise, innovation, and a determined commitment to the public good. The two mottos work in concert: one anchoring the House in its historical duty, the other propelling it toward future achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an academic undertaking, the publication of this monograph is deeply interwoven with the House’s philanthropic mission, which is animated by the principle of *noblesse oblige*. The careful study of a nine-century tradition of service powerfully reinforces the modern imperative to contribute to the welfare of society. All activities undertaken by the House, *inter alia*, are intended to support this core purpose.
Proceeds generated from any future public sale of the monograph will contribute directly to the House’s charitable fund. This fund’s principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and adolescents experiencing profound trauma. The charity offers a sanctuary for recovery through clinical intervention, counselling, and long-term support networks.
The House of Brattleby selected this cause due to its fundamental belief in nurturing the potential of the next generation. The Annual Winter Banquet, a traditional white-tie gala held in London, remains the primary fundraising event for this vital work, translating the Barony's historical commitment to protection into tangible support for the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the monograph’s publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly one thousand years of English history. Our story did not begin with us; it began with an oath of service made after the Conquest. Understanding that foundational moment is essential to fulfilling our own duties with integrity and honour today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — “History is not a static account of the past; it is a living foundation upon which we must build the future. By examining the principles of fealty and responsibility that have sustained the Barony through centuries of change, we find a clear blueprint for meaningful action and purposeful leadership in the present.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This monograph, *Tenure & Fealty*, is the first in a planned series of historical publications commissioned by the House of Brattleby. Future scholarly works will explore other significant eras in the Barony’s long history, offering new insights into its role within the national story.
Forthcoming volumes will examine the formidable leadership of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, during the tumultuous First Barons' War, and the Barony's fourteenth-century role under the stewardship of the great Plantagenet knight, Henry of Grosmont. This sustained commitment to historical research aims to make the Barony’s past accessible and relevant.
This scholarly agenda runs parallel to the House’s educational work with The Brattleby Club. Its etiquette academy, with its seat in Bucharest, grounds modern international social conduct in its historical European context. Through both scholarship and practical education, the House of Brattleby seeks to ensure its unique legacy remains understood, honoured, and of service to society.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the stewardship of a significant feudal English title. The House’s mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a core belief in duty and public service. The House actively supports charitable causes, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child, and promotes cultural education through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy which connects European tradition with contemporary life.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Norman origin located in Lincolnshire, England, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its establishment is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details the 56 manors held by its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief of the Crown. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the celebrated castle defender Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great Plantagenet knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was called to its current line, a succession formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the Crown. - Notable past holders of the baronial title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The House's primary annual philanthropic event is the Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala for the benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com