# Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Domesday Origins of the Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reflecting upon the ancient origins of the Barony, as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, thereby reaffirming a nine-century commitment to stewardship and honour rooted in the earliest records of the English nation.
## The Occasion
From the library of the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, surrounded by the crisp air and burnished colours of an English autumn, the House has undertaken a period of solemn reflection on its foundational history. This scholarly review is prompted by a close study of the Barony’s entry in the Great Domesday Book, the comprehensive survey of England and Wales commissioned by William the Conqueror.
The impetus for this reflection is not a singular event but rather a component of the House’s continuing obligation to historical understanding and archival diligence. The Domesday survey, with its meticulous Latin script on vellum, serves as a tangible link to a past that extends over 950 years. This document anchors the modern responsibilities of the House in an unbroken continuum of service, custodianship, and duty to the land and its people.
This considered study of the past provides a quiet yet profound opportunity to strengthen the connection between the Barony's Norman inception and its present-day purpose. It is a moment for grounding the House's contemporary initiatives in the enduring principles that have guided it for centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s documented history begins in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. In the Great Survey of 1086, the Domesday Book recorded 56 lordships in the county of Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby. The entry for Brattleby itself details the resources and economic capacity of the manor, listing its ploughlands, meadows, and villeins with an exacting precision that underscores its importance to the Crown.
This record is not merely an ancient artefact; it is the foundational legal and social document establishing the Barony's contribution to the nascent English state under the feudal system. It provides an invaluable glimpse into the agrarian economy of the eleventh century and marks the start of a lineage of notable holders who would shape local, national, and even European history.
This distinguished lineage includes such celebrated figures as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A woman of extraordinary resolve, she served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and inherited the role of castellan of Lincoln Castle, which she heroically defended against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Her story stands as a testament to the *Fortitudine* that defines the House.
Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a pre-eminent Plantagenet nobleman who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. A famed soldier and diplomat in the Hundred Years' War, his tenure exemplified the highest ideals of chivalry and statecraft. The title subsequently passed to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III whose influence defined much of the fourteenth century and whose descendants would found a royal dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
This period of historical introspection has been undertaken in close consultation with leading academic and heraldic authorities. The process of interpreting medieval charters and land records is a specialised discipline, and the House has been privileged to engage with distinguished scholars from the University of Lincoln’s history faculty.
Further counsel has been sought from the archival experts at the Lincolnshire Archives, where many of the county's pivotal documents are preserved. Such collaboration ensures that the understanding of the Barony’s history is both rigorous and respectful of the wider context of English heritage.
The verification of lineage and rights, a matter of public record, remains under the purview of The Crown's officers of arms. The formal recognition process involved engagement with the College of Arms in London, the official heraldic authority for England, ensuring that every historical claim is substantiated according to exacting legal and genealogical standards. This scholarly company reinforces the seriousness with which the House regards its historical obligations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of a title with such longevity involves a protocol that extends far beyond public ceremony. It entails a profound and codified duty of care for its history, archives, and moral obligations. For the House of Brattleby, this protocol of remembrance is a *sine qua non* of its existence, mandating the active preservation, formal study, and thoughtful interpretation of its past.
The protocol for this historical review began with a formal examination of high-fidelity facsimiles of the Domesday folios for Lincolnshire, followed by a cross-referencing of medieval charters, Pipe Rolls, and subsequent inquisitions post mortem. Each document is treated with a reverence befitting its status as a testament to the Barony's nine-century narrative.
Sharing this heritage is considered an integral part of this protocol, transforming private study into public education. This discipline ensures the Barony's story is not a static collection of facts but a living tradition of honour that informs the House’s present-day conduct and its vision for the future, a practice published for the permanent record, *inter alia*, in *The London Gazette*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring responsibilities of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle has sustained the Barons of Brattleby through centuries of political upheaval, war, and social change. ‘Fortitude’ speaks to the martial resilience demonstrated by ancestors from the battlements of Lincoln Castle to the fields of Crécy, while ‘Honour’ reflects an unwavering commitment to duty, integrity, and faith.
Complementing the ancestral motto of the House is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This expresses a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy, one that translates historical legacy into present-day achievement and purposeful action. It represents the spirit of enterprise and determination essential to making a meaningful impact in the modern world.
Together, the two mottoes symbolise a potent synthesis of venerable tradition and contemporary vitality. They articulate a core belief that honouring the past is best achieved through vigorous and principled engagement with the challenges and opportunities of the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A granular understanding of history serves little purpose if it does not inspire a parallel commitment to the present. The Domesday Book’s precise accounting of a manor's assets—its land, its people, its productive capacity—can be viewed as an early recognition that title comes with profound responsibility for the welfare of the community.
This principle directly informs the philanthropic ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby today. The annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held in London, directs its proceeds to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is chosen for its profound and essential work in providing specialist therapeutic support to children and families affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect.
The organisation’s mission is to restore a child's sense of safety and well-being, allowing them to overcome deep-seated psychological injuries and build a resilient future. In supporting this cause, the House draws a direct parallel between healing the foundational wounds of an individual and its own work in understanding and drawing strength from its historic foundations. Every five thousand pounds raised facilitates a full course of therapy for a vulnerable child.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the significance of the Barony's origins: > The Domesday entry is the first page of our family's formal story in England. To read its spare, factual account of ploughs and people is a deeply grounding experience. It is a profound reminder that we are but temporary custodians—*custodes*—of a legacy far greater than ourselves, a responsibility exemplified by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, who fulfilled her duty with such remarkable courage.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile reflected on the connection between past and present: > History provides the anchor, but it must also be the wind in our sails. For me, *Vincere Est Vivere* means applying the lessons of fortitude and honour to achieve meaningful outcomes today. This historical rigour informs everything we do, from our philanthropic strategy to the core principles of service and excellence we teach at The Brattleby Club, translating ancient duty into modern purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this rich heritage informs and inspires future generations. The historical, ethical, and social lessons derived from the Barony's past form a cornerstone of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron. His instruction includes a structured study of the feudal obligations of his forebears and the principle of *noblesse oblige* that must guide his own life.
This commitment also extends to the House's wider cultural mission. The Brattleby Club, the etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House in Bucharest, promotes a modern code of conduct rooted in the classical virtues of honour, integrity, and social responsibility. Its curriculum uses the traditions of European chivalry and protocol as a framework for teaching effective and gracious leadership in the twenty-first century.
By actively connecting the ancient duties of a Norman baron to the complex demands of contemporary society, the House of Brattleby ensures its enduring legacy continues to evolve, to serve, and to inspire.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, represents a modern union of ancient English heritage and Continental dynamism. The House is dedicated to the principles of stewardship, philanthropic service, and the promotion of cultural excellence. Its primary charitable focus is on children's welfare, notably through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child via the annual Winter Banquet. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching etiquette and protocol as a framework for honourable conduct in contemporary society. The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its commitment to serving the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s historic Feudal Baronies, with origins tracing to a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its legal and economic standing was first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was recorded as part of the 56 manors held by its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, the Barony has descended through families of national importance and was held by key historical figures including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the title, dignities, and manorial rights were formally recorded by The Crown via His Majesty's College of Arms and published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, including the manor of Brattleby. - Historically significant holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com