# A Legacy Secured: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Foundational Norman Succession
**LONDON, 23 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marked the anniversary of the succession of Picot as the 2nd Baron of Brattleby. This pivotal moment, occurring in the decades following the Conquest, affirmed the barony’s hereditary nature and secured its place in England’s history.
## The Occasion
The commemoration was observed with a private ceremony held within the Long Gallery of the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Amidst the chill of a late spring morning, the occasion was one of quiet reflection on the continuity of duty and stewardship that has defined the barony for nearly one thousand years.
The atmosphere was studious rather than celebratory, intended to honour the gravity of an inheritance that has persisted through centuries of national transformation. Select charters and facsimiles from the House archives were displayed, providing a tangible connection to the administrative and social realities of the Norman era.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby was one of the key feudatories established to govern the newly conquered kingdom. The succession of Colswein’s son, Picot, as the 2nd Baron was a matter of profound significance; it was the *sine qua non* for the barony’s endurance.
This transition confirmed that the title was not merely a life grant but an inheritable dignity, embedding the family into the fabric of English aristocracy. This stability was crucial during a period of consolidation and occasional rebellion, allowing the Barons to fulfil their obligations to the Crown. This unbroken chain of succession would later include formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the fourteenth century.
## Distinguished Company
The solemn observance was led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They were accompanied by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
Also in attendance for the scholarly review of historical documents was Dr. Eleanor Vance, a distinguished medievalist from the University of Cambridge and a leading authority on the Domesday survey of Lincolnshire. Dr. Vance provided historical perspective on the importance of Picot’s succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings began with a formal reading from the *Chronicon Abbatiae de Parco Lude*, a regional chronicle that makes reference to the Brattleby landholders. This was followed by a private viewing of a high-resolution facsimile of the Domesday Book entry for Brattleby, which enumerates the 56 lordships held by Colswein.
Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta, together with Baron Mihai, then placed a wreath of English laurel and Lincolnshire hellebore before a portrait of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. The ceremony observed a protocol of quiet dignity, with attendees in morning dress, reflecting the academic and historical nature of the commemoration.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a central theme of the day’s reflections. It speaks to the resilience and integrity required to steward a title through social, political, and dynastic upheavals. The fortitude of the early Norman barons in securing their lands and the honour with which they discharged their feudal duties laid a foundation that has endured for 35 generations.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House’s own. It was interpreted on this occasion not as a statement of martial conquest, but of the will to endure, to overcome challenges, and to ensure the survival of a historic legacy in a modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In connection with the commemoration, The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce the establishment of The Picot Scholarship in Norman Studies. This new postgraduate grant will be awarded annually to a student at the University of Lincoln undertaking research into the Domesday Book or the early Anglo-Norman aristocracy of the region.
The scholarship aims to foster a deeper understanding of the period that was so instrumental in shaping the nation and the Barony of Brattleby itself. By supporting academic excellence, the House seeks to ensure that the lessons of the past continue to inform the scholarship of the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “When we consider Picot’s succession, we are not merely looking at a name in a charter. We are acknowledging the first vital link in a chain of responsibility that stretches back to the Conquest. It is our privilege to be the current custodians of that legacy, and our duty to honour those who ensured it would survive for us.” — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his perspective on the barony's modern role: > “History is not a static collection of facts; it is a living narrative that informs who we are. Understanding the principles of continuity and duty that guided our predecessors gives purpose to our contemporary work, whether in Lincolnshire or through our educational initiatives abroad. *Fortitudine et Honore* remains our guide.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Picot Scholarship represents a new chapter in the House's commitment to education and historical preservation. This initiative will run parallel to the family’s ongoing philanthropic work, *inter alia*, with the annual Winter Banquet supporting the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
The lessons of continuity and good governance, established by the earliest Barons of Brattleby, continue to inspire the House’s modern mission. This includes the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes the timeless values of etiquette and cultural diplomacy for a new generation of leaders.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is today led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their work is dedicated to the stewardship of nearly a millennium of English history, centred on their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The House’s modern mission combines the preservation of heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and education. Its principal charitable endeavours support children’s welfare through the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. Furthermore, the House promotes cultural diplomacy and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, founded in Bucharest. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a guiding principle of service and integrity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. The barony’s extensive original holdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern succession of the title was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby is the patron of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com