# On the Succession of the Second Baron and the Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement regarding the succession of Picot as the 2nd Baron of Brattleby, following the tenure of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, thereby cementing the hereditary principle of this ancient Lincolnshire dignity.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen the reflective autumn season to reaffirm a foundational moment in its near-millennial history. This proclamation is an act of historical stewardship, intended to bring clarity to the earliest years of the Barony. It serves as a formal acknowledgement of the seamless continuity that has defined the title since its inception in the 11th century, a principle that remains the bedrock of the House's identity today under its current head, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
The statement is issued not to mark a new discovery, but to consolidate and dignify established historical record. In doing so, the House fulfils its custodial duty to preserve the narrative of the Barony for future generations, ensuring the lineage is understood with precision and respect. This act of careful curatorship reflects the House’s broader commitment to honouring its past as it navigates its modern responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, in AD 1066 as part of the new framework of Anglo-Norman governance. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant tenant-in-chief whose importance is underscored by the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The great survey records Colswein holding 56 lordships directly from the Crown in Lincolnshire, testifying to the trust placed in him to secure a vital part of the kingdom.
Upon Colswein’s death, the succession of his kinsman, Picot, as the 2nd Baron was a critical juncture. While chronicles of the period offer fewer details on Picot’s own tenure compared to his formidable predecessor, his inheritance is of paramount significance. It confirmed that the Barony of Brattleby would pass by hereditary right, an essential step in transforming a royal grant into an enduring noble dignity. This transition established a precedent of stability that would allow the Barony to flourish through subsequent centuries, held by such consequential figures as Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
This formal statement honours the memory and legacy of the foundational figures of the Barony, whose actions established its permanence in the fabric of English history. The Noble House of Brattleby hereby acknowledges:
* His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, from whom the original grant of the Barony derives. * Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a principal magnate in post-Conquest Lincolnshire. * Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby, whose succession affirmed the hereditary nature of the title.
Their collective roles were the *sine qua non* for the nine-century history that has followed. The current House, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, considers itself the present guardian of the legacy they initiated.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a historical proclamation by a noble house follows a protocol rooted in formal observance and archival diligence. This statement is the result of a considered review of primary sources, including the *Domesday Book*, and established scholarly works on the Anglo-Norman feudatories of Lincolnshire. Its purpose is to present an authoritative account, free from ambiguity.
Historically, such matters were the subject of court pronouncements or entries in official rolls. The modern equivalent is the formal publication of notices concerning nobility and dignities in *The London Gazette*, the official public record. The Noble House of Brattleby’s own status received such formal recognition in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This announcement, therefore, adheres to a tradition of public and Oofficial declaration, employing the platform of the modern Court Circular to fulfil a centuries-old function.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This credo speaks directly to the qualities required of its earliest holders. Colswein of Lincoln required immense fortitude to manage his vast estates and fulfil his feudal duties to the Crown in a newly conquered kingdom. The peaceful succession to Picot was an act predicated on honour and the recognised legitimacy of inheritance.
This historical spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment evokes the dynamism and ambition of the Norman era itself, a reminder that the Barony was forged in a period of profound transformation and martial vigour. Together, the two mottoes reflect a modern House that is deeply connected to its origins, balancing the solemn duties of honour with a forward-looking vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement is historical in nature, its underlying purpose aligns with the House’s guiding mission of service and cultural preservation. By investing in the meticulous curation and dissemination of its own history, the House contributes to the public’s understanding of English heritage and the specific local history of Lincolnshire. This educational role is seen as a civic responsibility, parallel to its more tangible philanthropic endeavours.
The same ethos of duty that drives the House to clarify its lineage also animates its charitable work. This includes the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The commitment to historical clarity and contemporary charity are two sides of the same coin: a pledge to create a positive legacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the importance of this early history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "Understanding the transition from Colswein to Picot is to understand the very foundation upon which nine centuries of history have been built. It was in this first act of inheritance that the future of the Barony was secured, transforming it from a simple grant of land into a living, perpetual dignity."
Lady Nicoleta further added: > "We see ourselves not merely as title-holders, but as custodians of a continuous narrative. Our duty, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to honour those who came before us by preserving and sharing their story with diligence and clarity. It is a responsibility we owe to the past and to the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to an ongoing programme of historical research and cultural diplomacy. This statement on the early succession is the first of several planned communications intended to illuminate the Barony’s extensive history. Future projects will include publications on other notable predecessors and the establishment of an accessible digital archive.
This long-term vision of stewardship ensures that the legacy of the Barony does not remain static. It is a living history, to be researched, shared, and passed on with care. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is closely involved in these initiatives, preparing to carry forward this solemn responsibility into the next generation. The work of the House continues, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy that promotes cultural exchange and classical European traditions.
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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 upholding the traditions of its ancient title while pursuing a modern mission of philanthropy and cultural preservation. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House is actively engaged in charitable work, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for history, diplomatic protocol, and social etiquette, bridging its English heritage with a contemporary European outlook.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal 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 tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony was held by some of English history’s most prominent figures, including Nichola de la Haye, renowned defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated medieval commander; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The Barony's continuous history and titular rights were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Formal recognition of the Barony's status was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com