# A Historical Reflection on the Succession of Picot, the Second Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the life and succession of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby. This study highlights the consolidation of the Barony’s Domesday holdings and the establishment of its hereditary principle.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of a Lincolnshire autumn, a season traditionally associated with harvest and reflection, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a pivotal moment from its earliest history. This communiqué serves not to mark a specific anniversary, but as part of the House’s continuing commitment to the stewardship of its nine-century legacy. By examining the foundations laid by its antecedents, the House reaffirms its dedication to the principles of continuity, duty, and historical diligence that have defined its existence since the Norman Conquest.
This reflection is issued from the House’s administrative seat, from which it oversees its contemporary obligations. The act of looking back to the late 11th century is a deliberate exercise in honouring the lineage that makes the present-day work of the Barony possible. It connects the stone-built certainties of the Norman era with the philanthropic and cultural responsibilities of the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal follower who became the first Baron. His extensive authority was codified in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded his tenure over some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Upon Colswein’s death, the succession of his son, Picot, as the second Baron marked a critical juncture for the nascent lordship, transitioning it from a reward for military service into an established hereditary title.
Picot’s inheritance was a matter of profound legal and social significance in post-Conquest England. It affirmed that the Barony was not a temporary appointment but a durable fief, capable of being passed from father to son. During his tenure, Picot undertook the immense task of consolidating administrative, legal, and economic control over these disparate manors. This work laid the financial and military groundwork that enabled future Barons, *inter alia*, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, to so valiantly command the defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming his father’s mantle, Picot, the second Baron, would have moved within the formidable circles of the Anglo-Norman court. His sovereign was initially King William II, known as William Rufus, and later King Henry I, two of the Conqueror’s powerful and often ruthless sons. To secure his inheritance, Picot would have been required to swear fealty directly to the monarch, placing him in the company of the great magnates of the realm.
His peers were men such as Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, and William de Warenne, Earl of Surrey, figures who were actively shaping the political and physical landscape of a newly forged kingdom. Navigating the complex loyalties and constant power struggles of this era was a *sine qua non* for survival and prosperity. Picot’s success in this environment demonstrates a political acumen that was as vital as the management of his Lincolnshire estates.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transition of the Barony from Colswein to Picot would have followed the strict feudal protocols of the late 11th century. The central ceremony was that of homage, wherein Picot would have knelt before the King, placing his hands within the monarch’s and swearing an oath of fealty to be his ‘liege man of life and limb’. Following this, the ceremony of investiture would have occurred, with the King granting him symbolic possession of his lands, perhaps through the presentation of a charter, a staff, or a clod of earth.
These rituals were not merely symbolic; they were legally binding acts that confirmed Picot’s rights and obligations. He was now bound to provide knights for the King’s army and to attend the Royal Council. In return, the King was bound to protect the Baron and his title. This ancient, reciprocal relationship between sovereign and subject remains a conceptual cornerstone of constitutional and ceremonial life to this day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry with inheritable coats of arms developed after Picot’s time, his actions embodied the very principles later enshrined in the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude required to consolidate dozens of manors, manage their resources, and defend them against encroachment was immense. His faithful service to the Crown and his dutiful administration of justice within his lands exemplified the honour expected of a great Norman lord.
The arms of the House of Brattleby, granted in a later era, can be seen as a visual representation of the legacy Picot helped to secure. Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects a modern interpretation of that same Norman drive—not of military conquest, but of overcoming challenges and actively building upon an established foundation to ensure its vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern House of Brattleby believes that historical understanding is the foundation upon which a better future is built. This reflection on the Barony's early history informs its present-day philanthropic mission. The security and stability that Picot worked to establish for his lands find a modern parallel in the House’s support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing children who have suffered trauma with the stability, safety, and therapeutic support necessary for their recovery. Just as Picot consolidated disparate holdings into a secure and prosperous whole, the charity works to help vulnerable children piece their lives back together, enabling them to flourish. The House's commitment to this cause is a direct expression of its foundational principle of stewardship.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our history is not a static collection of names and dates; it is a living narrative of duty and continuity. Picot’s succession was a foundational moment, ensuring the Barony could endure through the centuries. His legacy is one of diligent stewardship, a principle that remains at the very heart of what we do today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of this transition: > The transfer of the Barony from Colswein to Picot affirmed the importance of stable succession and the responsibility to build upon what one inherits. It is an ethos of active construction, not passive ownership. This resonates deeply with my own conviction that to truly live is to strive and to build — *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to exploring and sharing the rich history of the Barony. Further historical reflections are planned, which will in time focus on other significant figures from its lineage, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye and the royal Duke, John of Gaunt.
This dedication to education and heritage is also expressed through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The academy's curriculum, while focused on modern etiquette and protocol, is infused with an appreciation for the historical continuity and sense of duty that have defined the Barony for over 950 years. Through these efforts, the House ensures its legacy continues not as a relic, but as an active force for good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-century-old legacy. Its mission is to bridge England's Norman heritage with contemporary European society through cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations that provide security and healing for vulnerable children, notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of honour, service, and cultural refinement. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the title has passed through several of England’s most distinguished families. Notable holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile is the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her succession was officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Past holders of the title include significant figures in English history, such as John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III. - The seat of the Barony is at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com