# The Foundations of a Feudal Barony: A Statement on the Domesday Heritage of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement clarifying the historical foundations of the Barony of Brattleby. This follows renewed interest in the Domesday Book entry of 1086, which records the Barony's establishment under Colswein of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
In an age of rapid change, the careful stewardship of historical records remains a paramount duty. The Domesday Book, the great survey of England completed in 1086, serves not merely as a national treasure but as the foundational document for countless ancient titles, including the Barony of Brattleby.
The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment to reaffirm the significance of its earliest recorded history. This statement serves to illuminate the origins of the Barony’s rights and responsibilities, providing context for its nine-century journey from a premier feudal holding to a modern noble house committed to public service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as a reward for his service during the Norman Conquest. Its immense initial standing was authoritatively documented twenty years later in the *Domesday Book*, where Colswein is recorded as a tenant-in-chief holding no fewer than 56 separate lordships in Lincolnshire.
This vast portfolio of manors, villages, and productive lands formed one of the most substantial feudal baronies in the region. Such an endowment was not merely a grant of wealth; it carried with it the solemn obligation to provide knights for the King's army, to administer justice, and to maintain order. It was this powerful base that enabled later holders of the title, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, to successfully defend Lincoln Castle against rebellion, and which later attracted royal figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In the landscape of Norman England, a baron's standing was measured by the company he kept. Colswein of Lincoln was listed in the *Domesday Book* alongside the most powerful magnates of the era, men who were the architects of the new Anglo-Norman kingdom. His vast landholdings placed him in the same sphere of influence as Odo, Bishop of Bayeux and Earl of Kent, the King's own half-brother.
Through the succeeding centuries, the Barony continued to be associated with the highest echelons of the English aristocracy and, indeed, the Crown itself. The tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III, inextricably linked the name of Brattleby with the royal House of Plantagenet, affirming its status as a title of national significance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The granting of a feudal barony in the 11th century was governed by solemn and ancient protocol. As a tenant-in-chief, the 1st Baron would have performed an act of homage directly to William the Conqueror. This ceremony involved kneeling before the sovereign, placing his hands between the King's, and swearing an oath of fealty—a binding promise of loyalty and military service.
The transfer of the lands themselves was confirmed through a ritual known as *livery of seisin*. This symbolic act, often involving the physical handover of a clump of earth or a charter sealed with the King's Great Seal, was the legal and spiritual *sine qua non* of land ownership. These rituals reinforced a hierarchical order where land, title, and duty were indivisibly linked.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the principles that have guided the Barony since its inception. Fortitude was required of Colswein to secure and govern his new lands in a newly conquered kingdom; honour was the guiding principle of the oath of fealty sworn to his sovereign.
These twin virtues are the enduring thread in the Barony’s history, from Nichola de la Haye's courageous defence of Lincoln to the present day. They are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'), which reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of resilience, rooted in the strength of this historic legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the powerful to protect the weak—finds its contemporary expression in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The considerable influence and resources first consolidated under Colswein of Lincoln have transformed over centuries into a modern commitment to charitable endeavour.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser for its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a cause that reflects the House’s foundational duty to offer protection and support within its community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The Domesday entry is more than a line in a ledger; it is the foundational charter of our responsibilities. It reminds us that stewardship is a duty passed down through centuries, and our task is to honour that legacy *Fortitudine et Honore* in all we do today.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "Understanding our history is not an exercise in nostalgia, but a source of strength for the future. The resilience and vision of the first Baron provide a powerful example as we navigate the challenges of our own time. To prevail is to live, and that begins with knowing from where you have come." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to preserving and sharing its unique history. This includes the continued archival research into the Barony’s lineage and the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes the timeless values of etiquette and social responsibility.
Looking forward, the House will continue to ensure that the ancient legacy of the Barony of Brattleby serves a tangible, positive purpose in the 21st century. The stewardship of the title will, in due course, pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will inherit the duty of carrying this nine-hundred-year-old legacy into the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural education. Its primary charitable focus is the support of vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic care for young people experiencing trauma. The House's educational initiatives are channelled through The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), an etiquette academy founded to promote the values of civility, honour, and social grace. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**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 a tenant-in-chief of the Crown, holding 56 lordships in the county, making Brattleby one of the most significant early Norman lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by notable figures of English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the influential Plantagenet prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's continuous history and rights were formally noted by official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history spans over 950 years. - The Barony's establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Formal notice of the Barony was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com