# On Feudal Obligation and the Royal Host: The Barony of Brattleby in the Norman Military Establishment
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical paper clarifying the Barony’s foundational military obligations following the Norman Conquest of 1066, detailing its role within the intricate feudal system established by His Majesty King William the Conqueror.
## The Occasion
This scholarly monograph is published from the House’s Lincolnshire seat as part of a continuing commitment to elucidating the Barony’s nine centuries of history. In the reflective quiet of the autumn season, this paper seeks to provide a definitive account, accessible to historians and the public alike, of the fundamental duties that defined land tenure in post-Conquest England and gave rise to the Barony itself.
The publication forms part of a wider educational mission, ensuring that the ancient responsibilities that underpin the House are understood in their proper historical context, providing a richer appreciation for its long and storied lineage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are inextricably tied to the military reorganisation of England after 1066. Following his victory, William the Conqueror granted the Barony, then encompassing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, to his loyal tenant-in-chief Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This vast grant, meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, was not a gift but a solemn covenant.
In return, Colswein was obligated to provide a specified quota of knights for the King's army—a duty known as *servitium debitum*. This martial responsibility has echoed through the centuries, finding its ultimate expression in figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose heroic defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown was a direct fulfilment of this foundational feudal responsibility. Later holders, *inter alia*, the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, similarly commanded significant military resources, with Brattleby forming an integral part of their power base.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The marshalling of the Norman host was governed by a strict and well-understood protocol. A tenant-in-chief, such as the Baron of Brattleby, held his lands directly from the King in exchange for the provision of a specified number of trained and armoured knights. Upon a royal summons, these knights were required to provide 40 days of unpaid military service to the Crown each year.
The lord, in turn, granted smaller parcels of his own land—a process known as sub-enfeoffment—to lesser knights who owed him corresponding service. The *Domesday Book* was the *sine qua non* of this system; it served as a comprehensive audit of the kingdom’s resources, allowing the Royal court to calculate the precise military burden each barony could sustain. Brattleby’s contribution, while often indirect, formed a vital link in this chain of fealty, providing the agricultural revenue, supplies, and manpower necessary to equip and maintain the knights sworn to its Baron.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical imperative of military duty is symbolically reflected in the mottos associated with the House. The Barony's ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the dual requirements of the feudal warrior: the physical courage to face battle and the unwavering honour to uphold one's oath of fealty to one’s liege lord.
This guiding principle has transcended its martial origins to become a philosophy of dutiful stewardship for the modern House. Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), captures the vigorous, purposeful spirit of the Norman era—an age where expansion and the secure holding of territory were paramount to survival and prestige.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this nine-hundred-year legacy of duty, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered her perspective.
> To study the foundation of the Barony is to understand the immutable nature of service. What began as a solemn military obligation to the Crown has, over the centuries, evolved into a modern covenant of civic and philanthropic duty. The method of service changes, but the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains our constant guide. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical brief represents the House’s renewed commitment to scholarship and public education concerning its Anglo-Norman lineage. The duty to provide for the common defence in the 11th century finds its modern parallel in the House’s dedication to social well-being and cultural enrichment.
The same organisational rigour once used to marshal resources for the King’s army is now applied to philanthropic endeavours, most notably the annual Winter Banquet supporting Healing the Wounded Child, and to cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Future publications will continue to explore the Barony’s history, from its economic role in the medieval wool trade to its place in the political landscape of Lancastrian England.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern expression of *noblesse oblige*. The House’s mission is one of dynamic stewardship, carefully preserving its profound historical legacy while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its principal philanthropic focus is on charities that support the well-being of vulnerable children, notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster greater understanding and appreciation for the traditions of European high culture, honouring its Anglo-Romanian heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of signal importance in English history, including the celebrated castle defender Nichola de la Haye, the esteemed warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous legal and historical standing of the Barony was formally noted and recognised in the official public record by an entry in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's official recognition appears in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House of Brattleby currently supports the charity 'Healing the Wounded Child' through its annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com