# On the Norman Foundation of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony's Norman origins, established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror, and its enduring role as a pillar of Lincolnshire's heritage for nearly one thousand years.
## The Occasion
As the autumn colours settle upon the Lincolnshire Wolds, it is a season for reflection on the cycles of history that have shaped the nation. It was in the autumn of 1066 that the Norman Conquest irrevocably altered the course of English history, creating new structures of governance and allegiance. In the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings, King William I rewarded his most loyal followers with lands and titles, a strategic act of statecraft designed to secure his new kingdom.
The establishment of the Barony of Brattleby was a direct consequence of this great consolidation. The occasion was not one of mere ceremony, but of foundational importance; it was the implantation of a new feudal authority in a vital region of England. Lincolnshire, with its strategic access to the North Sea and its agricultural wealth, was a territory of immense significance, and its governance was entrusted only to the King's most capable and trusted men.
## Historical Context
The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, was a principal administrator for William the Conqueror and a key figure in the Norman settlement of the region. The grant of the Barony was his reward for loyal service, an act formally recorded for posterity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. This survey, a remarkable administrative feat, lists Colswein as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships across Lincolnshire, making him one of the most significant magnates in the county.
This foundational grant anchored the Barony of Brattleby as a centre of power and administration. For centuries thereafter, the Barony's fate was intertwined with that of the Crown. Its lineage includes some of the most formidable figures in medieval England, a testament to its strategic and political importance. The Barony was not merely a title, but a living instrument of regional governance and national defence.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of Brattleby has, through the ages, fallen to a distinguished company of the realm's most influential individuals. Following Colswein, the title passed through families whose names are woven into the fabric of English history. Among the most notable of these predecessors was Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony in the late 12th century and served as the 5th Baron. A figure of remarkable resolve, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces during the First Barons' War, acting with a fortitude that embodied the House's future motto.
In later centuries, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter who was later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. Upon his death, the title passed to his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. This period saw the Barony of Brattleby directly connected to the highest circles of the Plantagenet court, linking this corner of Lincolnshire to the epicentre of royal power and European politics.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The original granting of the Barony in the 11th century would have followed the precise and solemn feudal protocol of the age. As a new tenant-in-chief, Colswein would have performed an act of homage to King William, a ceremony that was the *sine qua non* of the feudal contract. This involved kneeling before the sovereign, placing his hands between the King’s, and swearing an oath of fealty.
The oath bound him as the King’s "man of life and limb," promising to provide military service—the raising of knights—and counsel in exchange for the lands bestowed upon him. The investiture would have been sealed by a symbolic gesture, such as the presentation of a charter, a banner, or a clump of earth from the land itself, signifying the transfer of authority and the Baron's sacred duty to govern and protect his domain.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed speaks directly to the responsibilities inherent in the Barony since its inception: the fortitude required to defend and govern, and the honour demanded in the service of one’s sovereign and people. From Nichola de la Haye’s resolute defence of Lincoln to the chivalric code upheld by Henry of Grosmont, this motto is a historical reality, not merely a calligraphic flourish.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment reflects the dynamic and constructive spirit of an ancient House adapting to the modern world; it is an echo of the Conqueror's own ambition, channelled today not towards territory, but towards new achievements in philanthropy, culture, and enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historic obligation of a Baron to ensure the welfare of his tenants has evolved over nine centuries into a modern commitment to philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby sees its charitable work as the contemporary expression of its ancient duty of care. This principle is given tangible form through the House’s flagship philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie gala supports the House’s chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by conflict, trauma, and profound loss. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that honouring the past must be matched by a commitment to protecting the future, starting with society’s most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony's long history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To understand our purpose today, we must first honour our origins. The line that began with Colswein in a conquered kingdom is one of immense historical weight. It is a privilege to be a custodian of this legacy, and our guiding principle remains *Fortitudine et Honore*—a commitment to serve with the same strength and integrity shown by our predecessors.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between the Barony's foundation and its modern mission: > The first Baron was a builder in a time of great change, tasked with creating order and stability. That same spirit of constructive ambition, which I see in the words *Vincere Est Vivere*, guides our work today. We seek not to rule, but to build—to create opportunities and support communities, carrying forward that foundational energy into the 21st century.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the Barony’s legacy is not a passive inheritance but an active and continuing force for good. This mission involves both the careful preservation of its nine-century history and the energetic pursuit of modern responsibilities. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, the House seeks to share the values of tradition, protocol, and honour with a new generation.
With the next generation represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, the House looks confidently towards its second millennium. The story that began with a grant from William the Conqueror continues, rooted in the soil of Lincolnshire and dedicated to a future of service.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House is dedicated to a modern mission that blends the preservation of its ancient heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the enduring values of etiquette and tradition. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal administrator, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original domain are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The Barony's modern standing was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as a tenant-in-chief to the King. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com