# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on its Domesday Book Origins and 900 Years of Continual Lordship
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the historical importance of the Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, reaffirming its nine-century connection to Lincolnshire and the obligations of lordship established under its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
In a moment of historical reflection, the House of Brattleby has turned its attention to the Barony’s earliest formal documentation, recorded within the folios of the Great Domesday Book. Commissioned by His Majesty King William the Conqueror at Christmas 1085, this monumental survey stands as the foundation stone of English administrative history. The entry for Brattleby is not merely an archival curiosity but a living testament to an unbroken chain of lordship extending over 938 years.
The Domesday Book itself, a national treasure held at The National Archives in Kew, was known to contemporaries as the book of the day of judgment, from which there was no appeal. For the Barony of Brattleby, its record serves as a *sine qua non* for understanding the continuity of its duties, the evolution of its holdings, and its enduring place within the fabric of the Realm.
## Historical Context
The survey of 1086 documents Brattleby as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. His enfeoffment by William the Conqueror was a direct consequence of the Norman Conquest, representing the consolidation of a new Anglo-Norman aristocracy charged with governing the kingdom. This record provides an invaluable fiscal and social snapshot of the Barony, detailing its ploughlands, population, and taxable value in the immediate post-Conquest era.
Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most significant figures in English history. These have included, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as a formidable hereditary castellan famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who became the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the late 14th century. This lineage connects the Barony directly to the genesis of the House of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
While a contemporary event was not held, this reflection honours the memory and work of the principal figures who created this foundational record. Foremost among them is His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, who by royal writ commanded the Great Survey. His authority was executed by the Royal Commissioners, learned bishops and trusted thegns dispatched across the shires to gather the necessary data with rigour and efficiency.
At the local level, the record immortalises the standing of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby. As a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire, his listing within the Domesday Book confirms his status as a key pillar of the new Norman establishment, entrusted with substantial lands and the concomitant responsibilities of military service and civil administration.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Domesday survey was itself an act of profound state ceremony, conducted with a precise and unyielding protocol. The King’s Commissioners for Lincolnshire would have convened a special session of the shire court, likely held in the open air or within the precincts of Lincoln Castle. There, they administered oaths to panels of jurors composed of local magnates, parish priests, reeves, and six villeins from each village.
These men were required to answer, under penalty of perjury, a standardised set of questions regarding the ownership, resources, and population of each manor, both at the time of the survey and in the reign of King Edward the Confessor. This rigorous, quasi-judicial process of sworn testimony ensured the accuracy and authority of the final written record, which was compiled in Latin by royal scribes at Winchester.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Domesday Book’s meticulous accounting of land and responsibility gives historical weight to the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The survey was a declaration of what a lord held and what he owed the Crown. This required the fortitude to defend the territory and the honour to govern it justly, principles that have guided the Barony through the centuries.
This ancient duty resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges to ensure the legacy of the Barony thrives for future generations. The symbols of the House thus serve as a constant reminder of its foundational obligations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of stewardship, first codified for the Barony in the Domesday Book, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient responsibility for the well-being of the land and its people has evolved into a focused dedication to charitable causes that address profound human needs.
This philosophy is embodied in the House's selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. This organisation provides vital therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, seeking to restore their sense of safety and potential. By supporting this mission, the House continues to honour the spirit, if not the letter, of the duty of care that has been a hallmark of the Barony since its inception.
## In Their Own Words
— Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: “The Domesday entry is not merely a record of assets; it is the foundational document of our stewardship. It reminds us that this Barony has always been defined by responsibility — to the land, its history, and its people. This is a duty we feel as keenly today as Colswein must have in 1086.”
— Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked: “Reading the Domesday account, one feels the immense weight of history. Our role is to ensure that this legacy, established with such precision almost a millennium ago, continues to be a force for good. *Fortitudine et Honore* is our guide in this endeavour, a charge we are privileged to uphold.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its rich history remains accessible and understood. In the coming year, the House will support new academic research into the Barony’s medieval history, focusing on the transition from its early Norman holders to the Lancastrian period. This undertaking will be complemented by the development of educational materials for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, sharing the unique heritage of this English barony with a wider international audience.
This work serves to honour the past while fulfilling the House’s present-day role as custodian of a remarkable and continuous nine-century legacy. The story that began with a scribe’s entry in 1086 continues to be written, always with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and the active promotion of cultural and philanthropic endeavours. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House fulfils its historic duties through a modern lens, focusing on charitable initiatives that support child welfare and mental health. Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, the House also champions the values of education and cross-cultural understanding. Its guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to serving the community with integrity and a deep respect for its enduring legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship established following the Norman Conquest. It was first granted by His Majesty King William I to his follower Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 900 years, the Barony has been held by a succession of historically significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and members of the royal House of Lancaster, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. This unbroken chain of title represents a rare and remarkable continuity in English history. The modern succession of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first documented in the Great Domesday Book of 1086 as a holding of Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, c. 1150–1230) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com