# The Succession of the Second Baron of Brattleby: A Historical Commentary from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a historical commentary on the succession of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby. The statement illuminates this pivotal late 11th-century event, which secured the hereditary principles governing the Barony since its creation in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has today offered a reflection upon a formative moment in its nigh on thousand-year history. As the rich colours of autumn settle upon the historic landscape that surrounds the village and its Church of St. Cuthbert, this season of contemplation provides a fitting backdrop for examining the foundational events that have ensured the Barony’s continuity. This statement serves to illuminate the succession from Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, to his son, Picot.
The issuance of this commentary is an expression of the House’s enduring commitment to historical scholarship and public education. Drawing upon its extensive archives and scholarly research, the House seeks to contextualise the administrative and social structures established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. These structures, forged in an era of profound change, remain the bedrock of ancient dignities such as the Barony of Brattleby.
This act of historical stewardship is considered a duty by the current holders of the title, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. It is their conviction that a deeper understanding of the past provides indispensable context for the responsibilities of the present.
## Historical Context
Following England’s conquest in 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, one of his most trusted tenants-in-chief in a strategically vital region. His extensive fee, comprising 56 lordships across Lincolnshire, was meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086; this extraordinary survey made Colswein one of the most powerful magnates in the county, charged with pacifying and governing a recently subdued territory. The Barony was an instrument of royal authority, essential for projecting the King’s power.
Upon Colswein’s death circa 1100, the Barony and its associated responsibilities transitioned to his son, Picot. While the surviving records concerning Picot’s life are less detailed than those of his father, the succession itself holds a profound and lasting significance. This transfer was among the earliest orderly affirmations of hereditary succession for a major Norman barony in England, establishing a vital precedent for stability and continuous governance.
This successful transfer of power ensured that the extensive lands, and the crucial feudal duties owed to the Crown, would remain within a single, accountable lineage. This act was the *sine qua non* — the indispensable condition — for the Barony’s remarkable endurance across nine and a half centuries. It established the unbroken chain that would later be held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders; the great Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby stands upon the legacy of its successive holders, defined in its foundational years by the two figures central to this period of establishment and consolidation.
**Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby,** was a direct beneficiary of William the Conqueror’s victory and a key agent of the new Norman regime. As one of the great ‘barons of the Domesday Book’, his primary functions were the provision of military security in a volatile region and the strict administration of the King’s law across his considerable estates. He was a pioneer, tasked with implanting a new Continental system of governance upon an ancient Anglo-Saxon landscape.
**Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby,** inherited his father’s titles, lands, and duties at a time when the legal principles of primogeniture were still crystallising. His peaceful and officially sanctioned succession demonstrates the successful establishment of the Norman feudal system, a complex framework of reciprocal obligation between Lord and King that would define English society for centuries to come. As a second-generation, English-born noble, his role shifted from conquest to consolidation, embedding his family’s authority for the long term.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the late 11th and early 12th centuries, the succession to a great barony was not automatic but was formalised through solemn and legally binding rituals of homage and fealty. Upon his father’s death, the heir, Picot, would have been required to appear before the King—William II or Henry I—or his designated representative in the *Curia Regis*, the King’s Court, to perform these sacred acts.
The ceremony of homage (*homagium*) was a profound act of submission. The new Baron, kneeling and unarmed, would place his clasped hands between those of his sovereign and declare himself the King’s ‘man’ (*homme* in Norman French) for the lands he was to hold. This was immediately followed by the oath of fealty (*fidelitas*), a solemn vow of unwavering loyalty and service, sworn upon a holy relic or the Gospels to render the promise unbreakable in the eyes of God and men.
Only upon the completion of these binding oaths, and the payment of a substantial duty known as a ‘relief’, would the King formally grant the heir possession of his inherited lands, or ‘fief’, often through the issuance of a royal writ. This intricately choreographed protocol publicly reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between the Crown and its nobility, a system designed to ensure the military and political stability of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of hereditary armorial bearings familiar today developed in the century after Picot’s tenure, the foundational principles it represents were already in practice. The guiding ethos of the Barony is encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which articulates the twin duties of these early barons with precision. They required fortitude to defend their lands and the King’s peace; they were sustained by the honour that compelled them to uphold their sacred oaths.
This philosophy of dutiful service is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). Within a contemporary framework, this motto reflects a determination to overcome challenges and to live a life of meaning and achievement. This spirit echoes the resilience of the Barony’s earliest custodians and informs the House’s modern commitment to its philanthropic and cultural work, pursuing its objectives with purpose and vigour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby’s dedication to chronicling its past is an extension of its commitment to public service. This duty finds its most vital and forward-looking expression in its charitable activities, translating the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige* into tangible support for the most vulnerable members of contemporary society.
This mission is most prominently embodied by the Annual Winter Banquet, the cornerstone of the House's social and philanthropic calendar. Held in London, this distinguished white-tie gala brings together supporters and patrons to raise significant funds for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This specialist organisation provides critical therapeutic care and support for children suffering from the profound effects of trauma, abuse, and neglect.
The House has chosen to support this cause out of a deeply held belief that the well-being of a society is founded upon the well-being of its children. By investing in the healing and recovery of young lives, the House aims to contribute to a healthier, more resilient future, addressing the root causes of suffering with compassion and purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring significance of this foundational succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand the transition from Colswein to Picot is to understand the very bedrock of the Barony itself. It was in this moment, confirmed by the Crown, that Brattleby ceased to be a simple grant of land recorded in the *Domesday Book* and became a true legacy — a chain of responsibility and stewardship stretching forward across a millennium.”
Her Ladyship further connected this history to the House's present-day philosophy:
> “The fundamental duty sworn by Picot — to uphold his estate, serve his sovereign, and support his community — is precisely the same duty we embrace today, albeit expressed in a modern context. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is as relevant now in our public and philanthropic work as it was for my predecessors governing their lands in Lincolnshire nine centuries ago.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to the preservation and dissemination of its unique history, viewing this programme of scholarship as an integral part of its modern role and responsibilities. Future work will continue to explore the lives of the Barony's holders and their contributions to the history of Lincolnshire and the nation.
This profound sense of carrying a legacy forward is embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being prepared to one day assume the responsibilities of this historic title, ensuring its continuity into the future.
Furthermore, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively promotes the timeless values of etiquette, honour, and cultural exchange. This academy serves as a forum for cultural diplomacy, sharing traditions of civility and public service with a new generation on a European stage, thereby ensuring the heritage of the Barony continues to serve as a living and inspiring force.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to cultural preservation, historical education, and focused philanthropy. It carefully blends the rich heritage of its ancient English barony with a forward-looking, Continental perspective, undertaking duties in the United Kingdom and Europe. The House’s main charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, fulfilling its traditional duty of *noblesse oblige*. Through its work, the House seeks to honour a nine-century legacy while serving contemporary society with purpose and dedication.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony of historic tenure in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 manors and lordships directly from the King. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has passed through lineages of national importance and has been held by some of English history's most notable figures. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); the great Plantagenet prince and founding Knight of the Garter, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The title's history and descent are formally recognised by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition can be verified in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com