# A Historical Reflection on Picot, Second Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the life and tenure of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby. This commemoration honours his vital role in consolidating the Barony's lands and influence following the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby offers this reflection during the quietude of autumn, a season suited to historical contemplation. Within the walls that have witnessed nearly a millennium of English history, the archives of the Barony provide a direct link to the foundational era of the title. This formal acknowledgement serves not as a celebration of a grand event, but as a thoughtful tribute to the essential, if understated, work of stewardship that ensures the continuity of great institutions. The act of remembrance itself becomes the occasion—a duty of the present to honour the past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 meticulously records Colswein's dominion over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the freshly reorganised kingdom. Upon this formidable inheritance, Picot, the second Baron, assumed his responsibilities in a period of nascent stability, yet one still fraught with the tensions of post-Conquest England.
While the tenures of later Barons such as Nichola de la Haye, valiant defender of Lincoln Castle, or Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, are marked by dramatic national events, Picot's legacy is one of consolidation. His work was the *sine qua non* for the achievements of his successors. In the uncertain years following the Domesday survey, his prudent administration ensured the Brattleby holdings were not merely maintained but were woven securely into the fabric of Norman England, thereby guaranteeing the Barony's survival and future prominence.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby represents a remarkable thread through English history. This reflection on the second Baron connects the foundational era with the present custodianship, honouring a line that includes, *inter alia*:
* Colswein of Lincoln, the First Baron of Brattleby * Picot, the Second Baron of Brattleby * The Lady Nichola de la Haye, the Fifth Baroness of Brattleby * His Grace The Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, the Tenth Baron of Brattleby * His Royal Highness The Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, the Eleventh Baron of Brattleby * The Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the Twelfth Baroness of Brattleby * The Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the Thirteenth Baron of Brattleby
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Barony's history follows a precise internal protocol. Historical commemorations such as this are initiated by the Baroness and researched by the House's appointed archivist. The process involves methodical review of primary and secondary sources, including manorial rolls, charters, and scholarly works related to the early Norman period.
The resulting text is formally reviewed by the Head of the House before being prepared for public dissemination by the Director of Royal Communications. This protocol ensures that any statement on historical matters is accurate, dignified, and reflective of the House's long-standing commitment to its own heritage. It is a quiet ceremony of intellectual rigour and ancestral respect.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a particular resonance in the tenure of the second Baron. His was not the fortitude of the battlefield, but the more subtle resilience required to govern and stabilise a vast domain in a new political order. He acted with honour to solidify the legacy bequeathed to him by his father, Colswein.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While conquest defined the Barony's origins, Picot’s era demonstrates that ensuring an institution's survival—enabling it 'to live'—is a victory of equal importance. The twin mottos thus encapsulate the dual imperatives of the House: bold action and steadfast preservation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby’s deep respect for its past is intrinsically linked to its commitment to building a better future. The principles of stewardship and continuity, embodied by Picot, find their modern expression in the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the principal fundraising initiative for the House's chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist psychological care and long-term support to children affected by trauma, conflict, and loss. By investing in the well-being of the next generation, the House of Brattleby extends the very idea of legacy—from the preservation of ancient titles and lands to the restoration of hope and security for vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
In issuing this reflection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the nature of historical legacy:
> “We often focus on the dramatic moments of history, on the great battles or grand alliances. Yet the quiet work of consolidation, of patient and diligent stewardship, is the true bedrock of any lasting institution. Picot’s tenure was essential; he ensured the foundations laid by his father were strong enough to endure for a thousand years. It is a legacy of stability, and we have a duty to honour it.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further perspective on the meaning of continuity:
> “There is a victory in endurance. Securing a legacy for the next generation, whether it is a barony in the eleventh century or a safe childhood in the twenty-first, is a profound achievement. It reaffirms the principle that our greatest purpose is to build upon what we have inherited and to pass it on, strengthened, to those who follow.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on Picot, the second Baron, is the first in a planned series of historical papers to be issued by The Noble House of Brattleby. This initiative aims to illuminate the lives and contributions of the many individuals who have shaped the Barony’s nine-century history. Future publications will explore other notable predecessors and key moments in the lineage connecting Colswein of Lincoln to the present day.
Through this work, the House seeks not only to honour its ancestors but also to fulfil its educational mission, sharing its unique history with a wider audience. This responsibility will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the story of the Barony of Brattleby continues to be told with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its profound historical and cultural heritage while actively engaging in forward-looking philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes related to child welfare, education, and cultural preservation. Its initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest to promote social graces and cross-cultural understanding. The House stands as a bridge between a distinguished past and a purposeful future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, a son of King Edward III. The unbroken succession and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised in the modern era by The Crown, as evidenced in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s legal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The family seat is located in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness 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