# A Historical Note on the Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical bulletin detailing the tenure of Picot, the 2nd Baron of Brattleby. This communiqué serves to illuminate the early succession of the Barony following the Norman Conquest and affirms its nine-century lineage.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of the Lincolnshire autumn, a season traditionally associated with harvest and reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its work of chronicling its extensive history. This historical note is part of a scholarly series dedicated to exploring the lives and legacies of the individuals who have held the Barony. It is from the House’s seat in Brattleby that this research is directed, connecting the landscape of today with the foundational acts of its earliest lords nearly one thousand years ago.
The issuance of this bulletin serves not as an announcement of a new event, but as a deliberate act of historical stewardship. It aims to provide context and depth to a lineage that stretches back to the very establishment of Norman England, ensuring that the foundations upon which the modern House stands are well understood and formally recorded for public erudition.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal Norman magnate. His extensive holdings, comprising some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were dutifully recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, making him one of the county’s most significant post-Conquest landholders. Upon Colswein’s death, the Barony passed to his successor, Picot, who became the 2nd Baron.
Picot’s tenure occurred during a critical period of consolidation for the new Anglo-Norman realm. While detailed records of his life are scarcer than for his predecessor, his primary role would have been to secure Norman authority and implement the nascent feudal system. This involved administering justice, collecting revenues for the Crown, and ensuring the King's peace in a region still adapting to foreign rule. His stewardship of Brattleby was therefore a vital contribution to the stability and permanence of the Norman settlement in Lincolnshire.
## The Baronial Lineage
The succession from Colswein to Picot established a pattern of orderly transfer that would define the Barony for centuries. Picot stands as the second link in an unbroken chain of title-holders that includes some of English history’s most formidable figures. His tenure paved the way for later barons and baronesses of great renown.
These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, celebrated for her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. The lineage later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was elevated to become the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Picot’s era, though less chronicled, was the essential foundation upon which these later, grander legacies were built.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the late 11th century, the succession to a barony was governed by exacting feudal protocol. Upon Colswein’s death, Picot would have been required to perform an act of homage (*homagium*) to the King. This solemn ceremony involved the vassal kneeling, placing his hands between those of his lord, and pledging to become his ‘man’. This was followed by an oath of fealty (*fidelitas*), a sacred promise of loyalty and service.
In return for this pledge, the King would grant Picot investiture of the Barony, symbolised by the handing over of a banner, a lance, or a clod of earth. This act made Picot the King’s direct tenant-in-chief, bound to provide a quota of knights for the royal army (*servitium debitum*) and to attend the King’s Great Council, the forerunner of Parliament. Picot's baronial status was thus not merely a title but a sworn office with profound military and political responsibilities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates deeply with the demands placed upon early Norman lords like Picot. In a newly conquered land, fortitude was essential for survival and the enforcement of authority. Honour was the bedrock of the chivalric code that bound the feudal hierarchy together, forming the basis of trust between the King and his barons.
This ancient theme of purposeful strength is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While reflecting a modern drive for achievement, it also echoes the assertive spirit of his 11th-century predecessors, for whom overcoming adversity was a precondition for their very existence and the establishment of a lasting legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The concept of lordship has always been intrinsically linked to stewardship—of land, of people, and of heritage. Picot’s role as 2nd Baron was to manage and protect the estates and communities entrusted to him. This ancient duty of care provides the historical antecedent for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
Today, this stewardship is expressed through dedicated support for charitable causes. The House’s focus is on organisations that provide tangible aid and healing, exemplified by its commitment to Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary was chosen for its vital work in offering therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, reflecting the House’s belief that true honour is found in service to the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "Understanding the role of my earliest predecessors, like Picot, is not merely a historical exercise; it is an affirmation of the unbroken chain of responsibility that defines the Barony. Their challenges were ones of foundation; ours are of modern stewardship, yet the principle of service remains the *sine qua non* of our purpose."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The Norman era was defined by consolidation and the establishment of lasting order from chaos. In Picot’s tenure, we see a microcosm of nation-building. It reminds us that legacy is built not only on grand moments but on the quiet, diligent administration that ensures stability for generations to come."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the ongoing research and publication of the Barony’s history. Future bulletins will explore the contributions of other key figures, shedding further light on the development of this ancient title through the medieval, Tudor, and modern periods. This work underpins the House’s wider educational mission.
This commitment to heritage is integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. There, an appreciation for history is taught as an essential component of modern leadership and cultural literacy, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the actions of the future. The next chapter of this scholarly endeavour will focus on the remarkable life of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active practice of philanthropic stewardship. Its mission, encapsulated by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is realised through cultural patronage, historical research, and support for charitable organisations. The House also extends its commitment to education and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which operates internationally from its seat in Bucharest and promotes the values of service, refinement, and historical awareness.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by notable figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Annual Winter Banquet, the House's premier philanthropic event, is held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com