# A Historical Notice on Picot, Second Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the essential tenure of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby, whose stewardship during the turbulent post-Conquest era was foundational to the Barony’s nine-century legacy and continuity within Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In an age of fleeting attention, the act of historical remembrance constitutes a profound occasion in itself. This notice arises not from a specific anniversary, but from The Noble House of Brattleby’s enduring commitment to historical scholarship and the preservation of its institutional memory. As winter approaches in Lincolnshire, a season that invites reflection, the House turns its attention to its archives, seeking to illuminate the foundational figures whose quiet contributions paved the way for more celebrated successors. This act of scholarly observance serves to honour a past that remains a *sine qua non* for the present.
The issuance of this reflection is an reaffirmation of the principle that understanding one’s origins is essential to navigating the future with purpose. It is a quiet, deliberate exercise in honouring the chain of stewardship that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day, ensuring that every link, no matter how understated, is recognised for its vital contribution to the whole.
## Historical Context
Picot’s tenure as the second Baron of Brattleby began in the late 11th century, a period of profound and often violent transition in England. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, his father, Colswein of Lincoln, had been granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This was a reward for loyalty, but it came with the immense challenge of governing a restive Anglo-Saxon populace. The era was marked by the consolidation of Norman power, a process that was far from seamless.
Succeeding his formidable father, Picot’s role was not one of conquest but of consolidation. His challenge was to transform a military holding into a functioning, stable, and productive fiefdom. While less is documented of his direct actions compared to towering successors like the great castellan Nichola de la Haye, his leadership was crucial. In a landscape still unsettled by the recent Conquest, Picot’s stewardship ensured the continuity of law, the management of estates, and the establishment of the administrative bedrock upon which the Barony’s future prosperity would be built.
## Distinguished Company
In understanding Picot’s life and responsibilities, one must consider the distinguished and powerful figures who comprised his world. His father, Colswein of Lincoln, was one of the most significant tenants-in-chief in the county, a direct appointee of the Crown. Picot, therefore, would have moved within the highest circles of the new Anglo-Norman aristocracy in the region.
His sovereign was King William I, William the Conqueror, and subsequently his son, King William II. As a baron, Picot owed direct military service and counsel to the monarch, placing him in the orbit of the royal court. His peers were other great landholders of the Danelaw, such as Ivo Taillebois, the Sheriff of Lincolnshire, and Bishop Remigius de Fécamp, who moved the diocese to Lincoln and began construction of the magnificent cathedral. Picot’s task was to navigate the complex loyalties and rivalries among these powerful men, securing the Brattleby patrimony for generations to come.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The life of an 11th-century baron was governed by intricate ceremonial protocol, which reinforced the feudal structure of the kingdom. Upon his father's death, Picot would have performed the solemn act of *homage* to the King. This ritual involved kneeling, placing his clasped hands between those of the sovereign, and declaring himself the King’s ‘man’—a profound pledge of loyalty. This was followed by an oath of *fealty*, a sacred promise to serve and defend his lord.
Furthermore, his existence was framed by the administrative protocols established by the Domesday survey. This unprecedented inventory of the kingdom was not merely a record but a powerful instrument of royal authority. As lord of the manors listed under his father’s name, Picot was bound by its findings, responsible for the taxes and levies it prescribed. These rituals and administrative duties were the very grammar of power, binding the Barony of Brattleby to the English Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Although formalised heraldry was still in its infancy during Picot’s time, the principles that underpin it were already in practice. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful early exemplar in the second Baron. His ‘fortitude’ was not necessarily that of the battlefield, but the resilience required to manage vast estates and maintain order amidst political uncertainty. His ‘honour’ was demonstrated in the faithful execution of his feudal duties to his sovereign and his tenants, ensuring the land's stability.
This legacy resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Picot’s life subtly reinterprets this maxim. While his father’s generation conquered territory, Picot’s generation secured the victory by establishing the conditions for a stable, ordered society to live and thrive. His triumph was the quiet, essential work of making a conquest permanent.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern philanthropy was unknown in the 11th century, a lord’s duty to provide for the welfare of his people can be seen as its earliest precursor. This historical notice serves a similar purpose in a modern context: a form of cultural philanthropy. By investing in and disseminating the history of the Barony, The Noble House of Brattleby contributes to the public’s understanding of the deep historical roots that shape our national identity.
This commitment to education and enrichment finds its modern expression in the House's patronage, *inter alia*, of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to social etiquette and cultural refinement. Just as Picot’s work provided a stable foundation for his community, the House today seeks to provide foundational knowledge and skills that empower individuals and enrich society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "In remembering Picot, we are reminded that legacy is not only built upon grand deeds but also upon quiet diligence. His role was to consolidate, to build trust, and to ensure the barony his father received became a lasting home for its people. This is a duty of stewardship we feel keenly today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby, added: > "The first generation conquers territory; the second must conquer instability to create a society. Picot’s life shows us that *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—is not merely about battle, but about securing the conditions for life itself. His victory was peace and order."
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Picot, the second Baron, is but one chapter in a history spanning nearly a millennium. It is the intention of The Noble House of Brattleby to continue its programme of historical research, bringing to light the stories of other predecessors who have shaped the Barony. The foundational stability established by Picot enabled the later prominence of figures such as Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and the barony's possession by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
Future notices and publications will explore these and other tenures, creating a comprehensive public record of this unique lineage. Through this work, the House seeks to honour its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, by ensuring that the legacy entrusted to it is not only preserved but also shared for the benefit of future generations.
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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 preserving its unique nine-century heritage while embracing a modern, forward-looking mission. The House champions cultural education and personal development, exemplified by its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Its philanthropic endeavours are centred on healing and empowerment, most notably through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House strives to serve the community by bridging historical legacy with contemporary purpose, fostering an appreciation for history, and supporting vulnerable individuals.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The modern rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com