# An Official Commentary on the Succession of the Second Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical commentary on the pivotal succession of Picot as the second Baron of Brattleby. This analysis illuminates a crucial, yet understated, period of consolidation for the ancient barony following the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House has today undertaken a reflection upon its earliest foundations. In a time of institutional remembrance, the House turns its attention to the transfer of the barony from its progenitor, Colswein of Lincoln, to his successor, Picot, in the late 11th or early 12th century. This commentary serves not to mark a specific anniversary, but as part of the House’s enduring commitment to chronicling and understanding the nine-century thread of its existence.
This act of historical curation is considered by the House to be a fundamental duty, ensuring that the origins of one of Lincolnshire’s most historic dignities are properly documented for future generations. It is from a deep appreciation of the past that the House derives the principles for its present service and future obligations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and by the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Colswein’s life was one of conquest and establishment; a testament to the new Norman order. The succession that followed, however, demanded a different set of virtues.
Picot’s assumption of the barony, while less dramatic than the events of the Conquest, was a *sine qua non* for its survival. In an era of nascent governance and frequent territorial disputes, his primary role was one of consolidation. His tenure ensured that the vast landholdings granted to Colswein did not fracture but were instead solidified into a coherent administrative and territorial entity. This stability was the essential groundwork that enabled the barony’s later integration with the powerful De la Haye family, leading ultimately to the celebrated tenure of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and formidable defender of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
This chapter of the barony’s history is defined by three seminal figures whose actions shaped its future. The first, of course, is His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, who established the barony as part of his strategy to secure the kingdom. His grant to Colswein of Lincoln was a mark of extraordinary trust and a reward for fealty.
Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, stands as a formidable post-Conquest magnate. As a direct vassal of the Crown, he was instrumental in imposing Norman authority across a significant portion of the county. His successor, Picot, the second Baron, represents a different archetype: the administrator and steward. His work ensured that Colswein’s military and political gains were translated into a lasting and governable legacy, demonstrating that permanence is forged not only in battle but in diligent governance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the late 11th century, the succession of a barony was a matter of high legal and feudal significance. Unlike a modern announcement, the transfer would have been formalised through acts of homage and fealty. Picot would have knelt before the King, placing his hands between those of the sovereign and swearing a solemn oath to be his ‘man of life and limb’.
This ceremony, a cornerstone of the feudal system, bound the baron to provide military service—or a payment in lieu known as scutage—in exchange for his lands, or ‘fief’. The transfer would have been recorded not in a press release, but on a vellum charter, impressed with the King's Great Seal. This act of enfeoffment was the legal mechanism that ensured continuity, affirming the baron’s rights whilst reinforcing the inescapable authority of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry was still in its infancy during Picot’s time, the principles he embodied directly reflect the House's enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to consolidate 56 lordships in a volatile kingdom, and the honour demanded by an oath of fealty to the sovereign, were the very qualities that defined his tenure.
These same virtues animate the House today. The arms of the Barony of Brattleby represent an unbroken chain of responsibility stretching back to the Conquest. This heritage is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'), which speaks to the proactive and purposeful spirit required to sustain such a legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House of Brattleby’s commitment to its duties extends beyond historical preservation. The careful study and dissemination of its history is viewed as a form of public service—a custodianship of national heritage. This scholarly focus complements the House’s more tangible charitable activities, which are central to its modern mission.
This philosophy—that understanding the past informs present service—finds its practical expression in endeavours such as the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala raises vital funds for designated beneficiaries, most recently Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The House believes that honouring its history and serving the community are two sides of the same coin.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational period, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The continuity from Colswein to Picot was not merely a transfer of title; it was a profound act of stewardship that secured the barony’s future. It is a quiet chapter in our history, yet one that speaks volumes of the fortitude required to build something of permanence.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic importance of this era: > In any great endeavour, after the initial victory comes the vital task of consolidation. Picot’s tenure exemplifies the principle that to win is to live—*Vincere Est Vivere*. He did not simply inherit; he ensured the barony would thrive for centuries to come, creating the conditions for luminaries such as Nichola de la Haye to emerge.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical commentary is part of an ongoing programme of archival research undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby. The insights gained from studying the tenures of the earliest barons, *inter alia*, inform the House's contemporary responsibilities and its vision for the future. This commitment to education is also expressed through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural and social refinement.
The lessons of continuity, stewardship, and honour, as demonstrated by the second Baron, remain central to the ethos of the House. They provide a historical mandate for Lady Nicoleta’s tenure and serve as a guiding principle for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron.
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**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 the preservation of a significant English heritage while embracing a forward-looking mission of cultural and social enrichment. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its modern focus includes strategic philanthropy, exemplified by its annual Winter Banquet, and education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Committed to serving both its local community in Lincolnshire and a wider international audience, the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can, and should, carry a profound sense of contemporary purpose and responsibility in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal dignities of England, with its origins documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. Through nine centuries, the barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the renowned 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the present-day barony in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and gazetted by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House’s most recent Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com