# The Foundations of a Dynasty: The Succession of the Second Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic succession of Picot as the 2nd Baron of Brattleby in the late 11th century, a pivotal moment that cemented the principle of hereditary lineage for one of England's most ancient baronies.
## The Occasion
In the turbulent decades following the Norman Conquest, the consolidation of power was a matter of paramount importance to the Crown. The transfer of great estates and titles was not merely a private affair but a public declaration of stability and royal intent. It is within this formative period of English history that the Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066, experienced its first succession.
The passing of the title from its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, to his heir, Picot, marked a significant milestone. This transition affirmed that the Barony was not a life peerage, but a hereditary fiefdom destined to endure. This act of succession, occurring amid the stark political landscape of late 11th-century Lincolnshire, laid the foundational stone upon which nine centuries of history would be built.
## Historical Context
The story of the Barony begins with Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman magnate and a Tenant-in-Chief of the King, who was granted vast lands for his service to the new administration. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 meticulously records his holdings, which included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his seat, or *caput*. Colswein’s charge was to impose order and project the authority of a new Norman king upon a restive Anglo-Saxon populace.
Upon Colswein’s death, the succession of his son Picot was the *sine qua non* for the Barony’s continuation. While detailed chronicles of Picot’s specific deeds are less complete than those of some successors, the very fact of his inheritance is of profound historical consequence. It demonstrated royal confidence and established a precedent of primogeniture that would safeguard the Barony’s integrity through periods of civil war, plague, and dynastic turmoil for generations to come.
This first transfer of power was more than a family matter; it was a stabilising act in the architecture of the feudal system. It ensured that a trusted lineage would continue to hold a strategic lordship in a key English county, fulfilling the sacred obligations of counsel and military aid to the sovereign.
## Distinguished Company
The early history of the Barony was shaped by figures of national importance, whose actions secured its place within the English aristocracy.
The key personages of this foundational era include, *inter alia*:
* **His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror**, who, as the fount of all honour, granted the Barony of Brattleby in 1066, entrusting its stewardship to a loyal follower. * **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a powerful Norman lord tasked with consolidating the Conquest in a vital region of the kingdom. His success established the Barony as a significant feudal power. * **Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby**, whose inheritance from his father represented the crucial first test of the Barony’s hereditary nature, ensuring its survival beyond its founder. His tenure transitioned the Barony from a personal grant into an enduring dynastic possession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the late 11th century, the succession to a barony was governed by a strict and solemn feudal protocol. Upon the death of his father, Picot would have been required to perform homage and swear an oath of fealty directly to the reigning monarch, likely King William II or King Henry I. This ceremony was a public and binding ritual.
Kneeling before the King, the new Baron would place his hands between those of the sovereign and pledge his loyalty as his ‘man of life and limb’. Following this, he would pay a ‘relief’, a substantial duty to the Crown, for the right to take possession of his inheritance. The final step was the ‘livery of seisin’, a legal rite where he was formally invested with the Barony, sometimes symbolised by the King handing over a charter, a sword, or a clump of earth from the land itself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formal system of hereditary coats of arms had not yet fully developed in the 11th century, the principles that would later be codified in heraldry were already in formation. The early Barons would have used personal seals and banners for identification in battle and on legal documents, symbols of their authority and martial prowess.
The modern coat of arms of The Noble House of Brattleby is a direct inheritor of this tradition. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), eloquently summarises the duties of the first Barons. ‘Fortitude’ was required to hold and defend their lands in a newly conquered kingdom, while ‘Honour’ defined the sacred feudal obligation to serve the Crown with integrity. These twin virtues, essential for Colswein and Picot, remain the guiding principles of the House today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When we consider the transition from Colswein to Picot, we are not merely observing a footnote in a chronicle. We are witnessing the first heartbeat of a continuous legacy. It is a profound reminder that this Barony has been sustained for nearly a millennium by an unbroken chain of responsibility, a duty I feel most keenly today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “The very concept of succession is one of building upon what came before. My own family motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’—which I interpret in a modern sense as overcoming challenges to create a lasting and positive impact. This principle of forward momentum has always been at the core of Brattleby’s strength.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principle of hereditary succession, established with Picot, 2nd Baron of Brattleby, continues into the 21st century. The Barony is presently held by Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, who administers its modern responsibilities with a deep respect for its past.
The future of the Barony is secured in the person of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir and 13th Baron in succession. His position ensures that the ancient lineage, which began its journey from Norman conqueror to English lord in the 11th century, will proceed with purpose and continuity. The House remains committed to its modern mission of philanthropy and cultural education, blending ancient heritage with a clear vision for the future, ever guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s oldest dignities. The House is dedicated to a contemporary mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement, upholding its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant fundraising gala benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to cultivating etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient British heritage and distinguished Continental European tradition, committed to serving the community and fostering a legacy of positive impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original lands are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through notable holders who have shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical dignity and the rights of the current holder were formally recorded by His Majesty’s College of Arms and gazetted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is subject to official recognition, recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), where the lands of Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, are listed. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, later 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com