# The House of Brattleby Commemorates its Domesday Book Origins
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today formally commemorated the Barony of Brattleby's ancient origins, as meticulously documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, honouring the House's near-millennial legacy and its foundational role within Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a private observance at their family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House marked this foundational moment with quiet reverence. As the autumn light fell across the historic estate, the occasion was not one of grand festivity but of solemn reflection on the continuity of duty and stewardship that has defined the Barony for almost a thousand years.
This act of remembrance serves as a thoughtful counterpoint to the House’s more public engagements, such as the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet. It underscores the family’s deeply personal commitment to understanding and preserving the heritage they have inherited, ensuring its profound lessons inform their modern responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby's place in English history was cemented in 1086 with its inclusion in the Domesday Book. Commissioned by William the Conqueror, this great survey was a comprehensive record of land ownership and resources in his newly established kingdom. The entry for Brattleby notes the extensive landholdings of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
This record demonstrates the substantial power and influence wielded by the first Baron, making Brattleby a name of consequence from the very beginning of formal English land tenure. This foundation of service and authority was the *sine qua non* for the stewardship of later notable holders, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The commemoration was a family affair, encapsulating the direct transmission of legacy through generations. The principal members of the House present were:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * The young Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir to the title
The presence of Baron Mihai was of particular significance, symbolising the unbroken chain of responsibility that stretches from Colswein of Lincoln to the future custodians of the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The observance was conducted with a protocol rooted in historical appreciation rather than elaborate ritual. The family gathered to review a facsimile of the Great Domesday Book, examining the specific entry that enumerates the lands assigned to the first Baron. This quiet ceremony serves as an annual tradition within the family.
The reading of the entry, with its formal Norman-Latin script, is a moment to connect with the past on a tangible level. It is an educational and formative experience, particularly for the heir, who is taught to understand not merely the privileges of title but the enduring weight of the responsibilities that accompany it.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates powerfully with the Barony's Domesday origins. For a Norman baron in the 11th century, fortitude in defence of one's lands and honour in one's service to the Crown were paramount virtues. Today, the House interprets these values as resilience in the face of modern challenges and unwavering integrity in all public and private conduct.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a contemporary context, this is understood not as military conquest, but as the drive to overcome obstacles, to achieve excellence in their philanthropic missions, and to live a life of purpose and positive impact.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby believes that historical duty finds its truest expression in modern service. The fortitude and resources established by the first Baron have evolved into a present-day commitment to philanthropy, which is a cornerstone of the family's activities.
This commitment is principally focused on their patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist care and support for children suffering from trauma. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House's core belief in protecting the vulnerable and fostering resilience — a modern interpretation of a baron's ancient duty to safeguard his community. Proceeds from the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet will directly support this vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday commemoration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To read of Colswein’s holdings in 1086 is to feel the immense continuity of history. It is more than a record of land; it is a covenant of stewardship that we have a solemn duty to uphold. We are but temporary custodians of a very long story, and our role is to honour the past by serving the present."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > "The fortitude required to build a barony in the 11th century gives us a powerful model for our work today. Whether through our educational efforts at The Brattleby Club or our charitable commitments, the goal remains the same: to build something of lasting value for the next generation. That, for us, is the essence of *Fortitudine et Honore*."
## A Continuing Legacy
This solemn act of remembrance serves as a prelude to a period of forward-looking activity for The Noble House of Brattleby. The family’s historical scholarship continues, with ongoing research into the Barony’s medieval period, *inter alia*, the tenures of Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt.
Preparations are well underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s premier philanthropic event. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest is finalising a new curriculum focused on cultural diplomacy and civic etiquette. Through these endeavours, the House continues to translate its ancient legacy into a dynamic and meaningful modern mission, ensuring the story that began in 1086 continues to unfold with purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage through contemporary action. The House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and is expressed through focused philanthropy, cultural education, and historical preservation. Its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also fosters cross-cultural understanding and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, with a presence in both England and Romania, reflecting the family's unique Anglo-Romanian heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and significance were formally documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of major historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, one of the most powerful women of the 13th century and a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the 12th Baroness was duly recorded and recognised in the official public record of the United Kingdom, The London Gazette, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the Barony's lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), 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