# The House of Brattleby on the Historical Succession of the Second Baron
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement reflecting upon the succession of Picot as the second Baron of Brattleby. This pivotal transition in the late 11th century was fundamental to securing the barony's post-Conquest continuity.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby continues to reflect upon the nine-century lineage that informs its present identity and duties. As the autumn mists settle over the ancient fields of Lincolnshire, a landscape chronicled in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, it is fitting to consider the foundational moments that ensured the barony’s survival.
The succession of the second Baron was a quiet, administrative act, devoid of the battlefield drama that characterised the era. Yet its importance cannot be overstated. It represented the crucial transition from conquest to governance; a moment where the stability of tenure became the *sine qua non* for the barony’s future, laying the groundwork for centuries of continuous lordship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal Norman magnate. The *Domesday Book* attests to Colswein’s significance, recording his tenure over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone, making him one of the county’s principal landholders. His was the authority of a conqueror, tasked with imposing Norman rule upon a restive Saxon populace.
Upon Colswein’s death, the succession of his son, Picot, was essential for the consolidation of this power. In the turbulent aftermath of the Conquest, inheritance was not always guaranteed. Picot’s peaceful assumption of his father’s titles and estates ensured the barony remained a coherent administrative and territorial entity. This prevented the fragmentation of the extensive lordships and preserved them for their eventual integration into one of England's great medieval inheritances through marriage to the powerful De la Haye family.
## Distinguished Company
This historical transition was defined by the roles of three key figures who shaped the early destiny of the Barony of Brattleby:
* **His Majesty King William I**, known as the Conqueror, who established the barony as part of his reorganisation of the English feudal landscape and as a reward for fealty. * **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a formidable Tenant-in-chief and one of the original Norman lords entrusted with securing the kingdom. * **Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby**, whose succession established the vital principle of hereditary continuity for the barony and its associated manors.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While no specific record of Picot’s investiture survives, his succession would have been formalised through the fundamental rituals of feudal law. As a direct vassal of the Crown, the new Baron would have been required to perform an act of *hommage*—a solemn oath of fealty—to the King, likely William II or Henry I.
This ceremony involved the Baron kneeling, placing his clasped hands between those of the monarch, and pledging his loyalty and military service in exchange for the legal right to his lands, a practice known as enfeoffment. It was a public and binding act; a piece of political theatre that reinforced the hierarchy of the Norman state and secured the orderly transfer of power and property from one generation to the next.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds deep resonance in this early period. For the first Barons, fortitude was a practical necessity—the strength required to hold and defend vast new territories in a kingdom still settling under new rule.
Honour was the corresponding principle of governance: the obligation to administer these lands justly, to provide for their tenants, and to fulfil one’s sworn duties to the sovereign. Picot’s succession embodied this balance, demonstrating that the barony’s strength lay not only in its physical might but in its adherence to an honourable and orderly code of conduct.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of stewardship, so critical to Picot’s consolidation of the barony, remains a guiding tenet for the House of Brattleby today. The medieval duty to protect and nurture one’s lands and people has evolved into a modern commitment to cherish a legacy and serve the wider community.
This unbroken chain of responsibility finds contemporary expression in the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The selection of the charity Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is guided by this same spirit. In sustaining a legacy, the House recognises its duty to safeguard the future by supporting organisations dedicated to the well-being of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, the current incumbents of the barony share their perspective:
> The transition from Colswein to Picot is a lesson in the quiet art of continuance. It was a moment not of grand conquest, but of consolidation and careful stewardship. These are the principles that remain the essence of our obligation today. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The family motto of my wife’s ancestors is complemented by my own: *Vincere Est Vivere*, ‘To Conquer is to Live’. Picot’s tenure reminds us that true victory lies not merely in acquisition, but in the stable governance and preservation that allows a community, and a legacy, to thrive. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
An appreciation for its history is central to the House of Brattleby’s modern mission. This understanding informs its activities, *inter alia*, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and cultural heritage as cornerstones of civil society. The lessons of governance and continuity, first established by Barons like Picot, are passed to the next generation.
This commitment to the future is embodied in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The House continues to draw strength from its past as it looks forward, upholding its responsibilities with the same fortitude and honour that have defined it for over 950 years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and its application to modern service. The House’s contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual philanthropic banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House is committed to a programme of historical research and communication, ensuring its unique legacy informs its contributions to society and supports the development of its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, created in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its considerable scale was documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its dominion over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the first Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The barony's history and rights were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a Tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (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