# On the Hereditary Foundation of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official commentary on the succession of the 2nd Baron, Picot, an essential event which affirmed the hereditary principle of the Barony of Brattleby following its establishment after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the ancient county of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this autumn season—a traditional time of harvest and reflection—to elucidate a foundational moment in its history. This commentary is issued to underscore the principle of continuity that has served as the bedrock of the Barony for nearly a millennium, ensuring its stability and its contribution to the fabric of the nation.
The decision to formalise this narrative reflects the House's enduring commitment to its heritage, providing historical clarity for future generations. It reinforces the understanding that the responsibilities borne by the current House are the modern expression of duties first undertaken by their Norman predecessors in an England undergoing profound transformation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was forged in the crucible of the Norman Conquest. Following his victory in 1066, William the Conqueror moved swiftly to secure his new kingdom, granting vast tracts of land to his most trusted followers. Among these was Colswein of Lincoln, a formidable Norman magnate who, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, was made tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, forming the basis of the Barony.
The succession of Colswein's heir, Picot, as the 2nd Baron was more than a simple transfer of property; it was a critical affirmation of the hereditary principle in a volatile era. This act cemented the Barony not as a temporary grant, but as an enduring hereditary fief. Such stability was the *sine qua non* for the long-term administration of justice, the development of agriculture, and the fulfilment of feudal obligations to the Crown, thereby embedding the Barony permanently within England’s new governing structure.
## Distinguished Company
The establishment of this enduring lineage was shaped by figures of historical consequence. The initial grant was bestowed by His Majesty King William I, known as the Conqueror, whose strategic reorganisation of England's land tenure system laid the foundations of the feudal state.
The first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, was a major landholder and a key instrument of Norman authority in the region. His effective consolidation of his estates paved the way for a stable and prosperous barony. It was his successor, Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby, whose peaceful and orderly inheritance set the vital precedent for all who followed, including such notable predecessors as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 11th century, the succession to a barony was governed by exacting feudal protocol. Upon the death of his predecessor, an heir such as Picot would have been required to perform an act of *homage* to the King. This solemn ceremony involved the new baron kneeling, placing his hands between those of the monarch, and declaring himself the King's "man" for the lands he was to hold.
Following homage, the heir would swear an oath of *fealty*, a sacred promise of loyalty and military service to the sovereign. Only after these rituals were completed and a payment known as a ‘relief’ was rendered to the Crown would the King formally grant *seisin*, or legal possession, of the barony. This protocol underscored that land and title were held ultimately from the Crown, reinforcing a clear hierarchy of allegiance and responsibility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed speaks directly to the challenges faced and the duties upheld by the Barons of Brattleby throughout the centuries. ‘Fortitude’ was required to navigate the political complexities of post-Conquest England and to defend the realm, as exemplified by Nichola de la Haye's heroic defence of Lincoln Castle.
‘Honour’ represents the unwavering commitment to uphold oaths of fealty and to govern the Barony with justice and integrity. This historical motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), which reflects a modern, dynamic interpretation of the House’s continuing duty to strive and succeed.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> The orderly transition from Colswein to Picot was the essential event that guaranteed the Barony’s endurance. It established a principle of continuity that has allowed our forebears, *inter alia*, to shape the destiny of the realm. Honorary Lord Răzvan and I view our role not as an inheritance of property, but as the continuation of a profound stewardship—a duty we are honoured to fulfil.
This sentiment underscores the contemporary House’s view of its role as the current custodians of a nine-hundred-year-old tradition of service and responsibility.
## A Continuing Legacy
The principle of stable, hereditary succession established in the 11th century remains the central pillar of the Barony today. This unbroken chain finds its modern expression in the tenure of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness and will continue through her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron.
This long-standing stability frees the House to focus on its contemporary mission: serving the community through targeted philanthropy and fostering cultural enrichment. The proceeds from the annual Winter Banquet supporting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, alongside the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are the modern fruits of a legacy built, with fortitude and honour, upon the firm foundations of orderly succession.
***
**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 nearly millennial legacy of one of England’s ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission balances the stewardship of its heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, culture, and education. This is principally expressed through its patronage of charitable organisations, including its flagship support for Healing the Wounded Child via the annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its cultural and educational outreach internationally through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and classical European values. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her succession and the Barony's historical continuity were formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as holding 56 lordships. - The charitable beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to supporting children affected by trauma. - Notable former holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, one of medieval England’s most powerful women.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com