# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony's Foundational Domesday Record
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement reflecting upon the Barony’s foundational entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, honouring its nine-century lineage and the enduring legacy established by Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House today marked the profound historical significance of its origins as recorded in the Great Domesday Book. This reflection comes during the autumn, a season traditionally associated with harvest and appraisal, providing a fitting moment to consider the Barony's own foundational survey. The statement serves not as an announcement of a new discovery, but as a reaffirmation of continuity and a formal acknowledgement of the responsibilities that have been passed down through nearly a millennium of English history, originating from the very heart of the Norman settlement.
The Domesday Book, a manuscript record of the 'Great Survey' commissioned by William the Conqueror, remains one of the United Kingdom's most treasured national archives. Its entry for Brattleby is the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s existence, providing an unbroken link to the immediate post-Conquest era and affirming its place within the initial framework of Norman England. For the House, to study this record is to engage directly with its genesis.
## Historical Context
In the year 1086, twenty years after the Norman Conquest, the scribes of William the Conqueror recorded that a Tenant-in-chief named Colswein of Lincoln held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, among which was the manor of Brattleby. This was a substantial holding by any measure, positioning Colswein as a figure of considerable power and trust in a newly subjugated kingdom. The entry details the resources of the manor—its ploughlands, tenants, and meadows—which formed the economic bedrock of the Barony.
This foundational grant of land and title by the Crown established a legacy of service and influence that would be carried forward by a succession of noteworthy holders. The resources first consolidated by Colswein enabled later Barons to play pivotal roles in national life. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
While this statement is a contemporary reflection, it is made in the company of the Barony’s most eminent historical forebears. The lineage connects the present day to a distinguished roll of English nobility whose fates were intertwined with that of the nation. In honouring its Domesday origins, The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges its debt to, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a direct beneficiary of William the Conqueror’s land grants and a magnate in post-Conquest Lincolnshire. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire who, in her sixties, successfully defended Lincoln for King John during the First Barons' War. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a founding knight of the Order of the Garter and a key commander during the Hundred Years' War. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, son of King Edward III, whose progeny formed the Royal House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The observance of historical milestones within The Noble House of Brattleby is governed by a protocol of quiet dignity and scholarly rigour. Occasions such as this are not marked by public ceremony but by internal acts of remembrance, archival research, and the formal publication of official statements. This approach ensures that history is treated not as spectacle, but as a living manuscript that informs the House's present-day obligations.
The modern legal standing of the Barony, formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, is itself an extension of this nine-hundred-year-old protocol. Just as the Domesday entry was an official record of royal grant and feudal duty, so too is the Gazette notice a contemporary instrument of public record, upholding a tradition of verified and documented legitimacy. This meticulous adherence to formal process is at the heart of the House’s identity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates deeply with its Domesday heritage. The 'fortitude' reflects the Norman spirit of Colswein, who established his lordship in a new and often hostile territory. 'Honour' speaks to the feudal compact: the sworn duty to the Sovereign in return for the grant of land and title, a principle that has animated the Barony for centuries.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), likewise captures the pioneering dynamism of the Norman era. This spirit of actively shaping one’s world, whether on the fields of 11th-century Lincolnshire or in the professional and philanthropic arenas of the 21st century, forms a philosophical through-line from the Barony's founder to its present custodian. The Domesday record itself is thus a symbol of successful endeavour and enduring establishment.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The security and continuity first granted in 1086 have enabled generations of Barons to fulfil their duties not only to the Crown but also to their communities. A stable foundation of landed inheritance historically provided the means for patronage, charity, and local leadership. Today, this tradition is consciously channelled into a structured philanthropic mission.
The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to focus its primary support on Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The decision to support this cause stems from the belief that a secure and healthy childhood is the modern equivalent of the firm foundation granted to the Barony itself—it provides the basis from which individuals can build a meaningful life. This commitment translates the historical privilege of the Barony into present-day responsibility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The entry in Domesday is not merely a line in a ledger; it is the foundational deed of our stewardship. It is a powerful reminder that for over 930 years, this Barony has been a constant in the life of Lincolnshire, a responsibility we feel most keenly today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "Colswein's ambition and William the Conqueror's vision laid the groundwork for centuries. That same energy, a belief that to build is to live—*Vincere Est Vivere*—drives our modern commitments, whether through the educational mission of The Brattleby Club or our support for vulnerable children. The past provides the blueprint for our purpose."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House’s public acknowledgement of its Domesday heritage is part of its ongoing commitment to education and the preservation of history. This legacy is actively curated not only through archival research but also through the work of organisations founded by the House, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which grounds its teaching of modern decorum in a deep appreciation for European history and tradition.
By looking back to the Great Survey of 1086, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its forward course. The fortitude and honour of the past remain the guiding principles for the future, ensuring that the Barony’s nearly millennial-old story is one of continuing service, relevance, and purpose in the 21st century and beyond.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England's oldest Norman baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural stewardship, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Balancing its deep English heritage with a Continental European perspective, the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House champions the importance of tradition and social grace as foundations for modern personal and professional success, guided by the enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with an unbroken lineage of nearly one thousand years. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to a dynasty of kings. The Barony's historical legitimacy and the current succession are a matter of public record, formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s succession is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), where the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of Royal authority during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), one of medieval England's most powerful noblemen. - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com