# A Historical Reflection: The Succession of Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the life and succession of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby, whose tenure consolidated the barony’s foundations in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest and Domesday Survey.
## The Occasion
This commentary marks the inaugural public release from the newly established historical office of the House of Brattleby. It is the first in a planned series of papers intended to illuminate the nine-century lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, connecting its present-day responsibilities with the actions of its most notable predecessors.
The purpose of these reflections is to explore the foundations of the Barony, providing scholarly context for a title that has been woven into the fabric of English history since its establishment by William the Conqueror. This first paper addresses a pivotal, if lesser-known, moment: the seamless hereditary succession from the first to the second Baron.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby enters the formal record in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Following the Norman Conquest, King William I granted a vast portfolio of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire to his trusted follower, Colswein of Lincoln, who thereby became the 1st Baron. This was a strategic grant, designed to secure royal authority in a vital region of the kingdom.
The succession of Colswein’s son, Picot, as the 2nd Baron of Brattleby in the late 11th century, represents a critical moment of consolidation. It affirmed the transition of the Barony from a life tenure granted to a companion-in-arms into a hereditary dignity. This legal and social evolution was a *sine qua non* for the establishment of a lasting noble house, ensuring continuity of governance, allegiance, and stewardship of the land for generations to come, *inter alia*, setting the stage for the celebrated tenures of Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
## Distinguished Company
While a formal gathering did not mark the succession, the event was shaped by the most significant figures of the age. The principal actors in this historical transfer of responsibility included:
* **His Majesty King William I, ‘The Conqueror’;** a monarch whose grant to Colswein of Lincoln established the Barony and whose legal reforms provided the framework for hereditary succession. * **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby;** a Norman magnate and the original grantee of the 56 Domesday lordships. His primary task was the initial administration and defence of these new royal assets. * **Picot fitzColswein, 2nd Baron of Brattleby;** the son and heir of Colswein, whose succession marked the Barony’s first successful hereditary transfer. His work involved consolidating control and establishing the long-term administration of the family estates.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of a feudal barony in the late 11th century was governed by strict ceremonial protocol. Upon his father's death, Picot would have been required to perform an Act of Homage to the King to secure his inheritance, a ritual central to the feudal system.
The ceremony involved the vassal, Picot, kneeling before his liege lord, the King. He would place his clasped hands between those of the monarch and swear an oath of fealty, promising to be the King's 'man of life and limb'. This act publicly bound him to provide counsel and military service in exchange for the right to his lands. It was this solemn, binding ritual that legally confirmed Picot's status as the 2nd Baron of Brattleby, reinforcing a chain of loyalty from Brattleby to the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), provides a lens through which to understand the challenges faced by its earliest holders. For Picot, consolidating the 56 lordships scattered across Lincolnshire required immense fortitude—the resolve to govern, defend, and make productive a vast and complex estate.
The second part of the motto, honour, was equally crucial. It signified the fulfilment of feudal duties: loyalty sworn and kept to the Crown, the just administration of manorial law, and the protection of the tenants who lived and worked on the land. In this period, honour was not an abstract virtue but the very currency of noble life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern concept of organised philanthropy finds its historical antecedent in the feudal duty of *noblesse oblige*—the unwritten obligation of the nobility to act with honour and benevolence. The duty of a baron to care for his tenants and ensure the prosperity of his lands is a principle that the House of Brattleby continues in a contemporary form.
This enduring commitment to service is now expressed through focused charitable work. The House directs its main philanthropic efforts towards supporting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. This support is the 21st-century manifestation of the same duty of care that has been a principle of the Barony for over 950 years.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To understand who we are, we must first understand who we have been. The story of Picot is not merely one of land; it is a lesson in consolidation, responsibility, and the quiet establishment of a legacy upon which future generations, such as the great Nichola de la Haye, could build.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> My own family motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’. In a medieval context, this often meant martial victory. Today, we interpret it as the will to overcome challenges and build institutions that last. Picot’s work in securing the Brattleby lands was a form of victory, establishing the stability a family needs to thrive and serve.
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this paper on Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby, is the first step in a programme of historical research and public engagement. Future papers will explore other key figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and the royal tenures of Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
By studying its history, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to the principles of stewardship and service. This commitment is also expressed through modern initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting the enduring values of decorum, respect, and cultural exchange that are hallmarks of European heritage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile; her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile; and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House is dedicated to upholding the Barony’s nine-century legacy of service through its commitment to philanthropy, heritage preservation, and cultural education. Its principal activities include the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting children's charities, and the patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates from its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which informs its public duties and charitable endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal dignity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by several of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebels in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as consisting of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally noticed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com