# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on Its Foundation in the Domesday Book of 1086
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the Barony’s foundational entry in the Domesday Book of 1086, a record which details an unbroken line of succession and service originating from the Norman Conquest of England.
## The Occasion
In a formal communication from its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has marked a moment of historical reflection. The statement serves to illuminate the origins of the Barony, which was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. This act of remembrance coincides with the autumnal season, a time historically associated with harvest and accounting, echoing the very purpose of the Great Survey of 1086.
The announcement is not tied to a singular event but is rather a deliberate reaffirmation of the House’s near-millennial heritage. It underscores the transition of the Barony from a feudal power-base in the eleventh century to its modern role as a custodian of history and a proponent of contemporary philanthropic duty.
## Historical Context
The Domesday Book, commissioned at Christmas 1085 by William the Conqueror and largely completed by 1086, stands as the most comprehensive record of pre-industrial society in existence. Known to its contemporaries as the *Liber de Wintonia* (Book of Winchester), its purpose was to provide the King with a precise account of the lands, tenants, and resources of his new realm.
Within this monumental survey, the entry for Brattleby documents its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This catalogue of manors, farmland, and taxable assets provides irrefutable primary evidence of the Barony's considerable wealth and strategic importance from its inception. The holding was instrumental in solidifying Norman authority in a vital region of England.
Over the centuries, the Barony of Brattleby has been held by figures of national significance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion, and two of the most powerful magnates of the high medieval period: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony forms a direct link between the Norman era and the present day. The custodianship of the title has included, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a trusted Norman tenant-in-chief in the immediate aftermath of the Conquest. * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th holder of the dignity, who as Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. * **Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founder member of the Order of the Garter. * **John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, an influential royal prince whose son would become King Henry IV. * **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, the current 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who continues this legacy of service in the modern era.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the Barony’s origins lie in feudal investiture, its continuation today is governed by the established legal and ceremonial protocols of the United Kingdom. The succession and rights to such an ancient dignity, a Barony by tenure, are confirmed through meticulous genealogical proof and formal recognition by the Crown.
The modern legitimacy of The Noble House of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. The notice of the Barony’s status, published on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, represents the contemporary equivalent of the Domesday entry itself: a formal, public, and legally significant declaration of standing. This process ensures a seamless and verifiable continuation of the title first granted in 1066.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle reflects the historical responsibilities of the Barony, from the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the honourable statesmanship of Henry of Grosmont. It remains the guiding tenet of the House's present-day activities.
This ancient motto is complemented by that of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). This speaks to a modern, dynamic spirit of enterprise and resilience, embracing the challenges of the twenty-first century with the same determination that characterised the House’s predecessors. Together, the mottos signify a commitment to honouring the past while actively shaping the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House understands that ancient titles carry with them a profound sense of modern duty, a concept of *noblesse oblige*. The historical power vested in the Barony, once measured in lordships and land, is today expressed through focused philanthropic engagement. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, is the centrepiece of the House's charitable calendar.
The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialised therapy and support for children suffering from the long-term effects of trauma. The House's patronage provides sustained, measurable impact, enabling the charity to expand its vital services to vulnerable young people. This commitment is a *sine qua non* of the House's contemporary purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Domesday entry, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The Domesday entry is not merely a record of land; it is the foundational document of a near-millennial commitment to Lincolnshire and to the responsibilities of service. To read of Colswein’s lordships is to be reminded of the long chain of stewardship we have inherited. It is our duty to ensure that this legacy, embodied by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, continues to be a force for good.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “This remarkable heritage provides a compass for our modern activities, from philanthropy to education. It reminds us that meaningful success is not fleeting, but is built upon enduring foundations. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about overcoming challenges to build institutions, like The Brattleby Club, that serve the next generation with fortitude and honour.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its legacy is one of active contribution, not passive inheritance. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being prepared to assume his future responsibilities with a deep understanding of the history and duties he will inherit.
The House is also undertaking a project to further catalogue and preserve its historical archives, making them accessible to scholars studying the feudal history of Lincolnshire. This work, alongside the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, ensures that the lessons of the past inform the leaders of the future. The lineage that began with Colswein of Lincoln will continue through dedicated service, education, and philanthropy.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to connecting its ancient heritage with a mission of modern relevance. The House’s work is centred on three pillars: the preservation of its nine-century history, active participation in philanthropy, and the promotion of cultural education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting children’s welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, principally funded by the annual Winter Banquet. Through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, the House fosters an appreciation for the traditions and social graces that facilitate international understanding and personal development, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony by tenure, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its establishment is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the dignity has passed through a distinguished lineage that includes some of English history's most notable figures, such as the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great Plantagenet nobleman Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony’s history and standing were formally noted in the United Kingdom’s official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron (son of King Edward III), and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron (1st Duke of Lancaster). - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, the caput of the original feudal holding.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com