# A Reflection on Continuity: The Succession of the Second Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on the barony’s earliest succession, when Picot of Lincoln assumed the title from his predecessor, Colswein, cementing a Norman lineage in Lincolnshire and ensuring the stable governance of the nascent barony.
## The Occasion
As the Lincolnshire landscape assumes the rich colours of autumn, the archives of the House of Brattleby offer occasion for reflection upon the foundations of its near-millennial history. This examination of the barony’s first transition of power, from the first Baron to the second, serves as a poignant reminder of the principles of continuity and stewardship that have defined the title through the centuries.
The act of succession, a cornerstone of hereditary principle, was of paramount importance in the decades following the Norman Conquest of 1066. In an era defined by the imposition of a new political and social order, the seamless transfer of lordship from one baron to the next was not merely a private matter, but a public affirmation of stability, law, and royal authority in the English shires.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. As a tenant-in-chief, Colswein was a figure of immense regional power, tasked with securing the new king’s authority. His formidable presence is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the great survey of England, which lists him as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone. His tenure was one of conquest and establishment.
Upon Colswein’s death, the barony passed to his successor, Picot, who became the 2nd Baron of Brattleby. While historical records for Picot are less detailed than for his predecessor, his role was no less crucial. He inherited the responsibility of consolidating Norman authority, a process that involved transforming conquered territory into a functioning feudal society. This required supervising the fiefs granted to his knights, administering justice from his manorial court, and ensuring the King’s Peace was upheld—the *sine qua non* of successful governance. Picot’s stewardship ensured the barony did not falter but was instead woven securely into the fabric of the Anglo-Norman kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
In the late 11th century, the company of a baron was defined by a strict feudal hierarchy. The second Baron would have moved within a formidable circle of power, paying homage directly to the Crown—first King William I and subsequently his son, King William II. His peers were the other great tenants-in-chief of the realm, powerful magnates such as Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester, and William de Warenne, 1st Earl of Surrey, who together formed the backbone of the new Norman aristocracy.
Locally, his circle would have included the Bishop of Lincoln, a spiritual and temporal power of great significance, as well as the sheriffs and castellans appointed by the King to administer the county. Navigating these relationships required immense political acumen, ensuring that the interests of Brattleby were aligned with those of the Crown and the wider governing establishment.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of the barony would have been formalised through the ancient ceremony of homage and fealty. As a baron holding lands directly from the monarch, Picot would have been required to appear at the Royal Court. There, he would have knelt, placed his clasped hands between those of the King, and sworn an oath to become his ‘man of life and limb’.
This act of homage, performed publicly before the great lords and clergy of the kingdom, was a deeply symbolic ritual. It bound the baron to his sovereign with an unbreakable oath of loyalty, promising military service and counsel in exchange for the continued possession of his lands and titles. It was a solemn and binding contract, reinforcing the intricate web of personal loyalties upon which the entire feudal system rested.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry with hereditary coats of arms was still in its infancy, the use of identifying symbols on shields and banners was essential. Norman knights used proto-heraldic devices for recognition in the tumult of battle. These powerful, clear symbols were the precursors to the elaborate armorial bearings that would later define the noble houses of Europe.
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its roots in this formative era. The fortitude required to secure and govern new lands, and the honour demanded by the oath of fealty, were the core principles of the ideal Norman lord. These same virtues continue to guide the House today. Similarly, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the initial animating spirit of the Conquest, which necessarily evolved into a commitment to governance and stability.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of lordship was intrinsically tied to a duty of care, a principle now known as *noblesse oblige*. A baron was not merely an owner of land but a guardian of the people who lived upon it. He was expected to provide protection from injustice and external threats, to support the local church, and to dispense charity to the vulnerable within his domain.
This ancient responsibility to protect and nurture finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s support for beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child is a direct continuation of this foundational duty. It is a contemporary interpretation of the baron’s historical role: to provide sanctuary and aid to those in need, ensuring the well-being of the wider community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — “The succession from Colswein to Picot demonstrates that resilience is built not only through bold acts of creation but through the quiet, steadfast work of consolidation. It is a powerful lesson in the importance of diligent stewardship, which remains at the heart of our mission today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: — “This first transition highlights a timeless truth: the will to achieve—the *vincere*—must be matched by the discipline to sustain—the *vivere*. Picot’s tenure solidified the foundations laid by his predecessor, ensuring that the barony would not just survive but thrive for centuries to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
Understanding the barony's origins and its earliest moments of transition provides invaluable perspective on the House's present-day commitments. The principles of stable governance, duty of care, and honourable conduct that defined the tenure of the second Baron continue to inform the activities of the Noble House of Brattleby.
From the philanthropic focus of the annual Winter Banquet to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House remains dedicated to the 'fortitude and honour' of its motto. This commitment ensures that the legacy established over 950 years ago continues to evolve and serve a meaningful purpose in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical heritage with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. With a presence in both its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire and at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of etiquette and protocol, the House champions the enduring relevance of tradition, civility, and social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief controlling 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most notable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The barony’s unbroken historical standing and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally noted by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal history is noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony was established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest of England. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com