# The Continuity of The Barony of Brattleby: The Succession of the Second Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical paper detailing the succession of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby, following the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln in the late 11th century, reinforcing the Barony’s unbroken ninth-century lineage.
## The Occasion
In furtherance of its commitment to historical scholarship and public education, the Office of the Lord and Baroness of Brattleby has commenced a series of communiqués exploring the rich heritage of the Barony. This inaugural paper, drawn from diligent archival research, focuses on a pivotal yet lesser-documented period immediately following the Norman Conquest.
The publication seeks to illuminate the foundational roles played by the earliest Barons. It is a work of historical clarification, intended to provide a more complete narrative of the lineage granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. This initiative reflects the House’s belief that a deeper understanding of the past is a *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship in the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby entered recorded history with Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman magnate who, by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the Crown. His vast holdings were a reward for service during the Conquest and a strategic bulwark for Norman authority in a restive region.
Upon Colswein’s death, the Barony passed to his successor, Picot, who assumed the title as the second Baron. While fewer records of Picot’s personal accomplishments survive, his historical importance cannot be understated. His tenure was one of consolidation rather than conquest; it was his charge to administrate the established fiefdom, ensuring its stability and productivity under the new feudal order. This involved managing manorial courts, collecting revenues, and upholding the King's Peace—the essential, day-to-day duties that transformed a conquered territory into a settled realm.
## Distinguished Company
The era of this early succession was shaped by the most formidable figures of the age. The ultimate authority was, of course, His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, who had granted the Barony. As a Tenant-in-chief, the Baron of Brattleby would have owed direct allegiance to the monarch.
The establishment of Norman rule was a project engaging both secular and ecclesiastical power. Figures such as Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, were instrumental in reorganising the English Church and legal system. Locally, the Bishop of Lincoln and the Sheriff of Lincolnshire were key personages with whom the Baron would have collaborated and, at times, contended for influence. Picot’s navigation of these relationships was crucial for securing his family’s position and the prosperity of the lands under his care.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of a barony in the 11th century was governed by strict feudal protocol. Upon his predecessor's death, Picot would have been required to perform an act of homage and swear fealty to the King to be lawfully invested with his lands and titles. This solemn ceremony was central to the medieval power structure.
The new Baron would kneel before the sovereign, placing his clasped hands between those of the King. He would then make a formal declaration, acknowledging the King as his liege lord and promising faithful service. This was followed by an oath of fealty, sworn upon a holy relic or Bible, binding his soul to the pledge. Only after this ritual was he granted seisin—the legal possession—of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the systematised pageantry of heraldry with its formal coats of arms would flourish a century later, the era of the second Baron was rich with its own symbols of authority. The primary symbol was the land itself, and the motte-and-bailey castle that would have served as the Barony’s administrative centre, a visible projection of Norman power. The Baron’s personal seal, impressed in wax on charters and writs, served as his legal signature and mark of authenticity.
The modern House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates deeply with the challenges of this early period. The fortitude required to secure a new holding and the honour demanded by the feudal code were the very virtues that defined the roles of Colswein and his successor, Picot.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This series of historical papers is undertaken in the spirit of educational philanthropy. By investing in and disseminating scholarly research, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to contribute to the public’s understanding of English history and the development of its institutions. It represents a modern form of patronage, supporting the preservation of collective memory.
This commitment to knowledge reflects the same spirit of public service that animates the House's more contemporary philanthropic endeavours, *inter alia*, its support for the designated beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “We have a profound duty to remember every holder of this title. Figures like Picot, who consolidated the gains of his predecessor, were the essential custodians who ensured the Barony would endure. His work was less dramatic than that of a great warrior or statesman, perhaps, but it was just as vital to the nine-century story we have inherited.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added: > “Each generation faces its own challenges to conquer. For the first Barons, it was securing a kingdom. For us, it is about building a durable legacy of service, education, and philanthropy. By understanding how they built for the future, we are better equipped to do the same.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing study of its lineage and the wider history of which it is a part. This paper on the second Baron is the first of a planned series that will be published periodically.
Future publications will explore the lives and times of other notable predecessors, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; the great royal prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. These chronicles will serve to further document the Barony’s unique place in the history of England.
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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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of modern nobility, defined by public service, historical preservation, and cultural patronage. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is actively engaged in philanthropy, most notably through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes education in classical etiquette and protocol through The Brattleby Club (Bucharest). The House seeks to be a model of responsible stewardship, honouring its past while building a legacy of positive contribution for the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and title of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as controlling 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. - 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