# The House of Brattleby Honours an Early Steward: Picot, Second Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical monograph concerning the tenure of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby. The commentary highlights the vital role of stewardship and continuity in securing the Barony’s legacy during the tumultuous post-Conquest era.
## The Occasion
In the quiet solemnity of autumn, a season for reflection and remembrance, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a lesser-known chapter of its near-millennial history. This formal statement is issued not to mark a specific anniversary, but as part of a continuing scholarly initiative directed by the House. The purpose of this series is to document and share the contributions of each holder of the Barony of Brattleby, ensuring that the complete nine-century narrative is preserved for future generations.
This undertaking represents a commitment to historical custodianship, viewing the lineage not merely as a list of predecessors but as a chain of individual responsibilities. Each link, whether forged in the crucible of war or the quiet administration of peace, is considered integral to the strength and endurance of the whole.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby entered the annals of English history following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a formidable Tenant-in-Chief granted some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, a domain dutifully recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was upon this expansive and newly-secured foundation that Picot, his successor and the second Baron, assumed his responsibilities.
While chronicles of the period favour the martial exploits of men like Colswein, the role of administrators such as Picot was a *sine qua non* for the survival of the Norman settlement. His tenure was defined not by further conquest but by consolidation. Picot’s essential task was to maintain the integrity of the Brattleby landholdings and navigate the intricate feudal obligations owed to the Crown, thereby ensuring the Barony’s stability. This steadfast stewardship provided the bedrock upon which later, more celebrated figures, *inter alia* Nichola de la Haye, resolute defender of Lincoln Castle, and the great royal dukes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, would build their own legacies.
## Distinguished Company
This historical reflection was prepared following careful deliberation and consultation with scholars specialising in the early medieval period and the Domesday Book. The House maintains a commitment to academic rigour, engaging with institutional experts to ensure its historical publications are both accurate and contextually rich. The work draws upon the established historiography concerning the Norman aristocracy in Lincolnshire.
These efforts honour not only the memory of Picot but also the generations of chroniclers and antiquarians who have preserved the sparse records of the era. They form a distinguished company of their own, a fellowship of study reaching across the centuries to connect the present day with the immediate aftermath of the Conquest.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a formal historical commentary by the House follows a prescribed internal protocol. Research is initiated within the House archives, beginning with primary source analysis, chiefly the folio pages of the Domesday Book and subsequent royal charters. Findings are cross-referenced with established academic works before a narrative is drafted.
This draft is reviewed for accuracy, tone, and clarity, ensuring it aligns with the House's long-standing duty of historical preservation. Only after this meticulous process of verification is the commentary granted formal approval for publication under the House’s authority, serving as an official addition to the Barony’s documented history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The tenure of the second Baron, though quiet, resonates deeply with the core tenets of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude demonstrated by Picot was not that of the battlefield, but the more subtle resilience required to govern and hold fragile territories in a new and often hostile kingdom. His work required administrative patience and unwavering resolve.
Equally, his honour was expressed through the diligent fulfilment of his feudal contract to the King, maintaining the lands entrusted to him and ensuring their revenues and loyalties flowed correctly. This commitment to duty, often unrecorded by history, is the very essence of honour in practice.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This scholarly initiative serves a broader purpose aligned with the educational mission of the House. The historical studies, including this monograph on Picot, provide foundational material for the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The academy uses these historical precedents to teach its members about the principles of legacy, responsibility, and the nature of long-term leadership.
By examining the different forms of stewardship across nine centuries, from the martial to the administrative, students gain a more nuanced understanding of how a significant inheritance is successfully transmitted. The lesson of Picot's tenure is that continuity is, in itself, a profound achievement.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "Every link in a chain of nine centuries is essential. Picot's era reminds us that history is often shaped not only by grand conquest, but by the quiet, steadfast dedication to duty. It is a lesson in honour and continuity we strive to uphold."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added his perspective, linking the history to his personal motto: > "The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Conquer is to Live' — extends beyond the battlefield. In the early Norman period, to consolidate and hold one's lands was a form of victory. Picot's stewardship was a vital conquest against the forces of instability."
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on Picot, second Baron of Brattleby, is the latest in a planned series of historical bulletins from the House. Future publications will explore the lives and contributions of other significant figures from the Barony’s past, creating a comprehensive public record of this ancient title.
The next monograph is expected to focus on the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War marked a crucial turning point for both the Barony and the Kingdom of England. Through this ongoing work, the House of Brattleby continues to honour its past as it builds its future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern organisation dedicated to the preservation and promotion of a nearly thousand-year-old heritage. Its mission is to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of historical principles such as honour, duty, and long-term stewardship. The House's work is channelled through two primary initiatives: the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy focused on leadership and cultural refinement. Upholding its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions cultural diplomacy and meaningful philanthropy in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal titles. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and later, through lines of descent, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by His Majesty's Government in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The succession was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be styled the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com