# On Continuity and Legacy: The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Tenure of Picot, Second Baron
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a new historical research programme focused on illuminating the tenures of its earliest incumbents. The initiative’s first monograph will examine the foundational stewardship of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made during a composed gathering in the Soane Library of the House’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Against the backdrop of Palladian architecture and the turning colours of a crisp autumn afternoon, the occasion was marked by a scholarly and reflective atmosphere. The setting was chosen for its resonance with the intellectual purpose of the initiative: to curate and preserve the Barony’s extensive history for future generations.
The presentation sought not to be a grand celebration, but rather a formal commencement of a significant academic undertaking. It represented the House’s modern commitment to acting as a careful custodian of its nearly millennial legacy, ensuring that even the most understated contributions to its history are properly documented and understood.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a significant tenant-in-chief whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Following Colswein, the title passed to his son, Picot. While historical records of Picot’s personal achievements are less detailed than those of his successors, his tenure was a *sine qua non* for the Barony's survival.
Picot’s primary contribution was one of consolidation and stability. In the turbulent decades following the Norman Conquest, he successfully managed the Brattleby estates, integrating them into England’s nascent feudal system. This quiet stewardship ensured the continuity of the lineage, creating the foundation upon which more prominent figures like Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and the great royal magnates Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt would later build.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the announcement were individuals noted for their contributions to historical preservation and academia. These included:
* Dr Eleanor Vance, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a leading scholar on post-Conquest land tenure. * Mr Julian Abernathy, representing the Lincolnshire Archives, which holds documents pertinent to the Barony’s early history. * The Reverend Canon David Cole, Subdean of Lincoln Cathedral, representing the historical ecclesiastical ties of the region.
The presence of these distinguished guests underscored the collaborative and scholarly nature of the newly announced research programme.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with dignified formality. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, opened the gathering with brief remarks on the importance of historical inquiry. He then introduced Dr Vance, who outlined the proposed scope and methodology of the research into the second Baron’s era.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, concluded the presentation, offering her reflections on the theme of legacy and the duty of each generation to honour the contributions of the last. The dress code was lounge suits, befitting the formal yet academic character of the daytime event. The protocol was designed to place emphasis on the substance of the announcement itself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), provides the thematic anchor for this new initiative. While the honour of later Barons was often won on the battlefield or in the high courts of kings, Picot’s legacy is one of quiet fortitude. His perseverance in a volatile era was an act of profound structural importance, safeguarding the honour and integrity of the title for centuries to come.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is also reflected in the project’s ambition. Here, victory is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the intellectual triumph over the obscurities of time, bringing a forgotten history back to life through diligent research and scholarship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical initiative aligns with the House of Brattleby’s wider commitment to fostering stability and understanding. The work of its chosen philanthropic beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is centred on providing children with secure foundations from which they can build their futures.
In a similar vein, this research programme seeks to secure the foundational narrative of the Barony. By understanding the past with greater clarity, a stronger basis is established for the future. The House believes that a sense of continuity and belonging, whether for a family or a nation, is essential for human flourishing, a principle that guides both its historical and charitable endeavours.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand who we are is to first understand those who came before us. Picot's era may feel distant, but his commitment to stability laid the very foundations upon which nine centuries of Brattleby history has been built. It is a legacy of quiet fortitude that deserves our fullest attention.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History is not static; it is a living dialogue with those who shaped our world. Through this initiative, we seek to give voice to the lesser-known chapters of our lineage. It is a work of discovery, reflecting our belief that to truly live, one must engage with and understand the past — *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The monograph on Picot, second Baron of Brattleby, will be the first in a planned series dedicated to the Barony’s history. Future volumes will explore other key figures and periods, *inter alia*, the career of the formidable fifth Baron, Nichola de la Haye. The research will be conducted in partnership with academic institutions, with findings being made accessible to the public.
This long-term commitment to historical scholarship will be a key feature of the House’s modern role, in which the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is expected to take an active interest. It represents a promise to not only inhabit a legacy, but to actively enrich and share it.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to blending its ancient heritage with a contemporary focus on philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation of classical etiquette and social graces. The House is committed to serving as a responsible custodian of its history while actively contributing to the public good in the United Kingdom and Europe.
**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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The historicity of the Barony and its current holders was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby and the current Baroness are formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable former holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com