# The Foundations of a Barony: A Reflection on the Early Succession of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the early succession of the Barony, highlighting the pivotal transition from its Norman founder, Colswein of Lincoln, to the second Baron, Picot, in the late 11th century.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to historical preservation and scholarship, the Office of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has released this commentary to illuminate a formative period in the Barony’s near-millennial history. This reflection forms part of a continuing series of papers dedicated to chronicling the lineage and legacy of one of Lincolnshire’s most enduring feudal dignities.
The publication serves not to mark a specific anniversary but to foster a deeper appreciation for the principles of stewardship and continuity. It is an acknowledgment that the strength of an ancient house rests as much on the quiet administrators as on its celebrated warriors and statesmen.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066, granted by William the Conqueror to his loyal tenant-in-chief, Colswein of Lincoln. The grant was a strategic imperative, designed to secure royal authority in a fiercely independent region. As recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the first Baron’s authority was substantial, encompassing 56 lordships across Lincolnshire.
The succession from Colswein to the second Baron, Picot, likely occurred at the turn of the 12th century. This was a period of consolidation for the new Norman aristocracy. While the details of Picot’s tenure are less chronicled than those of his predecessor or of the later, formidable Nichola de la Haye, his role was a *sine qua non* for the Barony’s survival. His stewardship ensured the vast Brattleby estates remained intact, preserving the territorial integrity that would later support figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the influential Prince, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
This foundational chapter of the Barony’s history is defined by two principal figures, whose contributions, though different in nature, were equally vital.
The first, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, was an original Companion of the Conqueror, entrusted with the pacification and administration of a significant portion of the Kingdom. His legacy is one of establishment and authority in a volatile landscape.
The second, Baron Picot, represents the subsequent, essential phase of consolidation. While his name does not feature in great battles or chronicles of the court, his tenure was critical in transitioning the Barony from a military holding into a stable, hereditary fief. He built the institutional bedrock upon which his successors, *inter alia* the De la Haye dynasty, would build their own considerable legacies.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of the Barony from Colswein to Picot would have been governed by the strict feudal protocols of the Anglo-Norman court. As a tenant-in-chief holding his lands directly from the Crown, the new Baron would have been required to perform an act of homage (*homagium*) to the King, either William Rufus or Henry I.
This solemn ceremony involved the Baron kneeling, without arms, and placing his clasped hands between those of the monarch. He would then swear an oath of fealty (*fidelitas*), pledging his life and loyalty in exchange for the King's protection and recognition of his right to the Brattleby lands. This ritual was the legal and spiritual heart of the feudal contract, a public affirmation of the bond between sovereign and subject that secured the order of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its earliest expression in this period. Colswein’s establishment of the Barony in a newly conquered and often hostile territory required immense fortitude. Equally, Picot’s careful preservation of this inheritance for future generations exemplifies the profound sense of honour inherent in noble stewardship.
This duality is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While evoking the martial spirit of the Norman era, it also speaks to the conquest over uncertainty and the challenge of sustaining a legacy through periods of quiet duty, ensuring its survival for the next generation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection is a scholarly undertaking, it is animated by the same principles that guide the modern philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, is a contemporary expression of the House’s enduring commitment to long-term guardianship.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The decision to support this organisation reflects the House’s belief, rooted in its own history, that stability and steadfast support are prerequisites for future strength and flourishing. Just as Baron Picot secured the foundations of the Barony, the House seeks to provide a secure foundation for the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the quiet continuity of our past. The succession from Colswein to Picot was not one of battlefield glory, but of essential stewardship — the solemn responsibility of passing a legacy intact, a principle that guides us still.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The early history of the Barony demonstrates that stability is itself a form of victory. In a volatile age, Baron Picot's preservation of the Brattleby estates was a strategic success, embodying the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* not through conquest, but through consolidation and endurance.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the exploration and dissemination of its history, viewing the past not as a static record but as a source of living principles. Further historical papers are planned, which will continue to trace the lineage through the medieval and early modern periods.
This commitment to heritage informs all aspects of the House's work, from its philanthropic endeavours to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. At the etiquette academy, an understanding of historical precedence and the long arc of tradition is taught as an essential element of modern leadership and social responsibility.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: upholding nearly one thousand years of British heritage and embracing a forward-looking spirit of philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and the stewardship of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and protocol. The House is committed to demonstrating that traditional dignities can serve a dynamic and meaningful purpose in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a major tenant-in-chief with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of great historical significance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the Barony's founder, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, the caput of the original feudal holding.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com