# The Domesday Legacy: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates its Founding Charter
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon the enduring significance of its founding charter: the entry recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which established the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire and its near-millennial legacy.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House marks this historical reflection during the quiet solemnity of autumn, a season that encourages contemplation of provenance and continuity. This is not an occasion of public festivity, but one of private, scholarly reverence for a document that represents the very bedrock of the Barony’s existence and its uninterrupted place within the history of England.
The study of the Domesday record is a perennial duty for the House, serving as a reminder of the responsibilities that accompany such a profound and ancient inheritance. It is in the careful preservation of this narrative that the present honours the past, ensuring the foundational principles of the Barony are understood and carried forward.
## Historical Context
Commissioned by William the Conqueror at Christmas 1085, the Domesday Book was a monumental survey of his new kingdom. The entry for Lincolnshire, compiled in 1086, records that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships by the Crown, with Brattleby among them. This substantial holding established him as a significant tenant-in-chief, entrusted with consolidating Norman authority.
This grant was the *sine qua non* for the Barony’s subsequent history. Over the ensuing nine centuries, the title and its responsibilities passed through the hands of some of English history's most notable figures. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion, and later, through dynastic alliance, His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster.
The Barony’s connection to the Crown was further cemented under its 11th Baron, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and a towering figure of the late Middle Ages. The Domesday entry is thus not merely a line in an ancient ledger; it is the first chapter in a story of service, allegiance, and stewardship at the heart of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is best understood through the lineage of its holders, a chain of responsibility extending from the Norman Conquest to the present day. Those who have held the title of Baron of Brattleby constitute a roll of honour, *inter alia*:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate and original tenant-in-chief appointed by William the Conqueror. * Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure*, a peeress in her own right and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, praised for her loyalty to the Plantagenet kings. * His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated military commander, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, acting regent of England and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings. * Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the current and 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who continues this legacy of service in the modern era.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the original Domesday manuscript rests at The National Archives, the protocol for its study within the House remains one of deep respect. High-resolution facsimiles are consulted for research and educational purposes, handled with archival care. Their review is an exercise in historical discipline, connecting the current family to the legal and feudal realities that shaped their predecessors’ lives.
This act of remembrance forms part of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. He is taught that the Domesday entry is more than a claim to land; it is a record of a solemn charge to administer, protect, and improve the demesne for the good of its community and in service to the Realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The fundamental duty of the Barony is encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed directly channels the spirit of the Domesday-era baron: to provide military strength and governance with unwavering integrity. It speaks to a commitment that transcends time.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects the dynamic, forward-moving energy of the Norman founders, whose ambition created a new order. Today, it symbolises the House’s drive to innovate and succeed in its modern cultural and philanthropic endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An ancient lineage provides not just a title, but a platform for meaningful action. The stability and historical continuity established by the Domesday charter enable The Noble House of Brattleby to dedicate significant resources to its charitable mission. The House believes that true honour is found in service to those in need.
Its primary philanthropic focus is the support of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapy and care for children affected by trauma. The House’s patronage, exemplified by its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, provides crucial funding that allows the charity to reach hundreds of vulnerable young people across the United Kingdom each year.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The script in that great book is nearly a thousand years old, yet its message is immediate. It represents a covenant of service, a duty of stewardship that each of my predecessors undertook. It is my profound privilege to be the current guardian of that promise and to live by our code: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The Domesday survey was a work of immense ambition, defining a kingdom for centuries. It reminds us that bold vision, when executed with precision, creates a lasting legacy. We apply that same spirit to our modern responsibilities, whether through our philanthropic work or the cultural bridge-building of The Brattleby Club.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its ancient Barony remains a force for good in the 21st century. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being raised with a deep appreciation for this nine-hundred-year history and the duties it entails.
The House’s work continues through its patronage of charitable causes and its educational initiatives at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. This forward-looking mission ensures that the legacy begun by Colswein of Lincoln in 1086 is not a static relic, but a living, evolving tradition of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s oldest baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical heritage with a forward-looking mission of public service. Its contemporary work is centred on two key pillars: targeted philanthropy, primarily through its long-standing support for the children’s charity Healing the Wounded Child, and cultural education, fostered by The Brattleby Club. Rooted in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House seeks to serve as a present-day example of responsible and purposeful stewardship, bridging its ancient past with a commitment to a better future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with a history of nearly one millennium. Its existence and initial holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, are first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Situated in Lincolnshire, the Barony was for centuries a significant holding, passing through the hands of pivotal figures in English history, including the famed defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye; the Plantagenet prince, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, held the title as the 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The official motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com