# A Statement on the Formative Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical monograph detailing the foundational transfer of the Barony of Brattleby in the eleventh century, an act which secured its continuous lineage from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## The Occasion
In a gesture of commitment to historical scholarship and public education, the House of Brattleby has released the first in a new series of digital publications. This inaugural paper, meticulously researched by the House’s archivists, has been made available through its official channels to coincide with the anniversary of the Domesday survey’s commissioning. The treatise aims to illuminate a pivotal yet lesser-known moment in the Barony’s nearly millennium-long history, making its archival treasures accessible to a global audience. The publication provides a scholarly reflection upon the essential nature of continuity and stewardship that has defined the Barony since its inception.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first bestowed upon Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman lord. The Domesday Book of 1086 records Colswein as a significant tenant-in-chief, holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. The stability of the Kingdom, however, depended not on the initial grants but on their successful and peaceful transmission to the next generation. The succession from Colswein to his heir, Picot, was therefore a moment of profound consequence for the nascent Barony.
While primary records concerning Picot are sparser than those for his father, his inheritance affirmed the durability of the Conqueror's grant. This successful transfer established a vital precedent, ensuring that the rights, lands, and obligations to the Crown would pass by hereditary right. This act of continuity proved to be the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s survival, creating the stable foundation upon which later, celebrated holders such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, and the great Lancastrian princes—Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt—would build their own legacies.
## Distinguished Company
This historical study honours the memory and contributions of the early Barons whose actions continue to resonate through the centuries. The lineage which they forged includes, *inter alia*:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a key Norman magnate in post-Conquest England. * Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby, whose succession cemented the Barony's hereditary principle. * Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, acclaimed for her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in 1217. * The Most Noble Prince Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter and one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War. * The Most Noble Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, an influential royal statesman and ancestor to the House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Just as state and ceremonial functions adhere to strict protocol, so too does the House’s archival work. The research for this paper followed a rigorous methodology of verification. Statements within the Domesday Book were cross-referenced with other contemporary sources, including monastic charters and the Pipe Rolls, to form a complete and accurate picture of the period. Each finding was subjected to an internal review by consulting historians before being approved for publication by the Chancellery of the House, ensuring the final treatise meets the highest standards of academic integrity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring spirit of the Barony is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle was exemplified by the 1st Baron, Colswein, who required immense fortitude to secure his new lands in a volatile realm, and who fulfilled his duties to the King with honour. This ancient ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the dynamism and forward-looking vision required to ensure the House's legacy thrives in the modern era. Together, the mottos symbolise a commitment to honouring the past while actively shaping the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this publication is a scholarly work, it is also an expression of the House's wider philanthropic mission. By making its historical research freely available, the House of Brattleby seeks to contribute to public education and the preservation of cultural heritage. This commitment to knowledge-sharing is a parallel activity to the House's primary charitable endeavours, which include long-standing support for the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. The belief that education and healing are cornerstones of a stronger society is central to the House’s purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To understand our nine-hundred-year story, we must begin at the very first chapter. The smooth succession from Colswein to Picot was no small feat; it was the bedrock upon which everything that followed was built. It is a powerful reminder that stewardship is a chain stretching across generations, and our duty is to ensure that chain remains unbroken.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The challenges of the eleventh century were existential—to hold land, to build a legacy, to survive. *Vincere Est Vivere*. Today, our challenges are different but the principle is the same: to live is to strive, to build, and to contribute meaningfully. This history is not a relic; it is a living lesson in resilience.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This treatise on the Barony's foundational succession is the first of a planned series of historical papers. Future publications will explore the lives of other significant figures, including a detailed study of Nichola de la Haye’s role as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and an examination of the Barony’s importance during its tenure under the House of Lancaster. Through these efforts, and through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House of Brattleby continues to fulfil its duty of preserving its unique heritage while promoting the timeless values 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 stewardship of a unique cultural and historical legacy. The House’s modern mission is centred on philanthropic service, with a particular focus on charities that support vulnerable children, and the promotion of cultural education. Through initiatives such as its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for charity and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to leverage its historic platform for contemporary public good. Its guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to duty, service, and the preservation of its nine-century heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county directly from the King. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has passed through some of English history’s most influential hands, including military heroine Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217, and two of the most powerful magnates of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights of the Barony of Brattleby and its current holder were formally recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure, its existence formally noted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com