# On the Succession of the Second Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection upon the succession of Picot as the second Baron of Brattleby, a foundational moment that secured the principle of hereditary stewardship for one of Lincolnshire’s most enduring Norman baronies.
## The Occasion
In the turbulent decades following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the transfer of land and titles was a matter of profound significance for the stability of the kingdom. The succession of the second Baron of Brattleby, from the original grantee Colswein of Lincoln to his heir, Picot, represents more than a simple familial inheritance; it was an affirmation of continuity and order in a newly forged Anglo-Norman England.
This transition, occurring in the late 11th century, took place against the backdrop of a Lincolnshire landscape being reshaped by its new masters. While the precise date of Picot’s assumption of the dignity is lost to the mists of time, his succession solidified the Barony’s place within the feudal structure established by William the Conqueror. It marked the successful transfer of a great responsibility from one generation to the next, a practice that would define Brattleby for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established in the immediate aftermath of the Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted vast estates for his service to the Crown. His importance is recorded with clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the great survey of England commissioned by King William. The entry details Colswein’s tenure as a tenant-in-chief, holding no fewer than 56 lordships directly from the King in Lincolnshire, a testament to his power and the monarch’s trust.
The succession of Colswein’s heir, Picot, was therefore a crucial test of the nascent barony’s stability. In an era where loyalties were frequently tested and lands could be forfeited, a peaceful, hereditary succession was by no means guaranteed. Picot’s inheritance demonstrated that the Barony was not merely a life grant to a favoured warlord but an established, heritable fee intended to endure. This act cemented the foundations for future holders of historic renown, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt.
## Principal Figures of the Era
The context of this early succession is defined by three principal figures. His Majesty King William I, known as the Conqueror, was the ultimate source of all land tenure in England, whose grant created the Barony. His strategic settlement of loyal Norman followers was the *sine qua non* of consolidating his new kingdom.
Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, was a direct beneficiary of this policy and one of the most powerful magnates in the region. His task was to administer his lands, provide knights for the King’s service, and ensure Norman authority in Lincolnshire.
Picot, his successor and the second Baron, inherited this legacy. While less is documented of his own deeds, his primary historical importance lies in his role as the first heir, proving the hereditary nature of the title and ensuring the Barony’s continuation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of a feudal barony in the 11th century was governed by solemn and binding ceremony. Upon his father’s death, Picot would have been required to perform an act of homage (*homagium*) and to swear an oath of fealty (*fidelitas*) to his feudal overlord, likely the King himself.
During the act of homage, the vassal would kneel, place his clasped hands between those of his lord, and declare himself the lord’s ‘man’ for the lands he was to hold. The oath of fealty that followed was a sacred promise, sworn on the Bible or a holy relic, to remain faithful to his lord and to fulfil all feudal obligations. This public ritual was a legally and spiritually binding contract, the very bedrock of the Anglo-Norman social and political order.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Although the formal system of heraldry with its distinctive coats of arms would not be fully developed until the 12th century, the symbolism of the era was potent. The granting of land in exchange for military service was the core symbol of the feudal contract. For the House of Brattleby, this early exchange embodies the spirit of its later motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
The fortitude was demonstrated by Colswein in serving his king and securing his domain; the honour was fulfilled by Picot in accepting the duties and obligations of succession. This principle—that authority is inextricably linked to responsibility—has remained a guiding tenet for the Barony through the centuries. Similarly, the motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the martial spirit of these Norman progenitors, for whom survival and success were one and the same.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To understand the nine-century thread of our family's duty, one must look to its very beginning. Picot’s succession was not simply an inheritance of land; it was the acceptance of a profound responsibility that echoes to this day. It is a charge we exercise in the modern era with that same sense of fortitude and honour.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The principle of dutiful succession, established by Picot nearly 950 years ago, remains central to the ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The unbroken chain of stewardship informs the House’s contemporary mission to preserve its heritage while serving society.
This commitment is expressed through its cultural and philanthropic work. The establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol, serves to transmit the values of tradition and social grace to a new generation. The House's engagement with charitable causes, including its support for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child, demonstrates a modern interpretation of the ancient duty of care inherent in the Barony since its inception. The smooth succession to the young Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron, is paramount.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the principle of responsible stewardship. Its mission blends the preservation of its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and education. The House’s official motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Through initiatives such as its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which benefits organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, and the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively translates its ancient duties of service into tangible, contemporary action. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its near-millennium of history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the influential John of Gaunt. The succession of the modern House to the Barony was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, confirming a continuous line of stewardship extending from the Norman Conquest.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the modern Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com