# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on its Norman Origins and the Legacy of Colswein, First Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon its foundational origins, tracing an unbroken line of succession from the Norman Conquest of 1066 through its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, to the present day under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the heart of historic Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a period of dedicated archival reflection. As autumn settles across the ancient landscape first granted to the Barony by William the Conqueror, this moment of contemplation serves to reinforce the profound connection between the institution's modern responsibilities and its near-millennial heritage.
This considered study of the past is led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. It is not tied to a singular event but is rather an ongoing commitment to historical stewardship, ensuring that the lineage and lessons of the past continue to inform the House's contemporary purpose and philanthropic endeavours. The very act of looking back becomes a formal occasion of remembrance and rededication.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in AD 1066, granted by William the Conqueror to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Colswein’s significance as a magnate of the new Anglo-Norman realm is meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, that unparalleled survey of England which remains a cornerstone of British administrative history.
The survey attributes an astonishing fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire to Colswein, the 1st Baron, cementing his status as a principal feudatory of the Crown in the region. His holdings were not merely land; they represented significant economic, military, and judicial power. This foundation of loyal service and regional authority set a precedent for the Barony’s future role.
Through the succeeding centuries, the title was held by figures of immense historical importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the Barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, placing Brattleby at the very centre of royal power during the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
This solemn reflection on the Barony's history is a charge undertaken by the principal members of the House. At its head is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who leads the family’s historical and philanthropic initiatives.
She is supported in this duty by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to the dynamic vision he brings to the Barony’s modern activities. The continuity of the lineage is embodied in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, for whom this historical knowledge forms a crucial part of his education and preparation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a long and distinguished history is governed by its own internal protocol. This involves the systematic study and preservation of charters, heraldic records, and genealogical rolls that document the Barony’s nine-and-a-half-century journey. The process is a formal and disciplined undertaking, ensuring that each generation understands its place within a much larger continuum.
This sense of order and propriety extends to the House’s public-facing activities. It is manifest in the precise ceremonial of the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala conducted with meticulous attention to precedence and form. It is also the philosophical underpinning of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching the nuances of etiquette and protocol, thereby transmitting the principles of civilised conduct that have been a *sine qua non* of European noble life for centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This phrase is not merely decorative; it is a direct reflection of the Barony’s history. 'Fortitude' recalls the martial resilience of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' speaks to the loyal and principled service rendered to the Crown by Colswein and later by the great Lancastrian dukes.
The coat of arms, formally recognised by His Majesty’s College of Arms, serves as a visual record of this legacy. Each element within the armorial bearings tells a story of allegiance, duty, and the lands over which the Barons of Brattleby have held stewardship. To understand these symbols is to understand the core identity of the House itself.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A profound sense of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the privileged to serve others — flows directly from this historical awareness. The knowledge that the Barony has endured for nearly a millennium fosters a powerful commitment to making a positive and lasting impact in the present day.
This commitment finds its primary expression in the House's support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The House of Brattleby chose this beneficiary for its vital, often overlooked, work in restoring hope and building resilience in the most vulnerable members of society, a mission that resonates deeply with the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. The Annual Winter Banquet is the principal fundraising vehicle for this support.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her first predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When we consider Colswein’s fifty-six lordships in the Domesday Book, we are not simply looking at a list of properties. We are seeing the foundation of a duty of service that has passed down through figures like Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt. It is a profound inheritance, and one that carries with it a great weight of responsibility to this day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on connecting the past to the future:
> “Our history is the anchor, but it must also be the sail. The ambition and fortitude of the first Baron inspire our modern endeavours, whether in philanthropy or in promoting cultural education through The Brattleby Club. We honour the past not by dwelling in it, but by building upon it with purpose. Indeed, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to both honouring its past and serving the present. The historical education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is a paramount priority, ensuring the traditions and responsibilities of the Barony are seamlessly transmitted to the 13th generation.
Future projects will include further archival research into the Barony’s medieval period, with the aim of sharing these findings with a wider audience. In parallel, the House will continue to expand its philanthropic footprint, with planning already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet. Through these actions, the legacy that began with Colswein of Lincoln in 1066 continues not as a relic, but as a living, breathing force for good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage and the active practice of *noblesse oblige*. Its modern mission focuses on targeted philanthropy, primarily through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and cultural education, exemplified by The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its distinguished past to a future of meaningful service, ensuring its legacy contributes positively to contemporary society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights and style of the modern Barony were formally noted in the official public record of the United Kingdom, *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of the title is officially noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The philanthropic beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com