# The Continuity of a Norman Legacy: Reflections on the First Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today offered a reflection on the first succession within its near-millennial history: the transfer of the Barony from Colswein of Lincoln to his heir, Picot, in the late eleventh century, an event that secured its continuity.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of an English autumn, a season for reflection and remembrance, the historical office of The Noble House of Brattleby has turned its attention to the foundational moments of the Barony. From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House continues its work of curating and sharing the extensive history of a title established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
This scholarly initiative serves not as a singular event, but as part of a continuing commitment to chronicle the lineage that stretches back over nine centuries. It is an undertaking that bridges the tangible records of the past, such as the *Domesday Book*, with the responsibilities of the present day, ensuring the lessons of stewardship are carried forward.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, one of the King's trusted Norman tenants-in-chief. As documented in the great survey of 1086, the *Domesday Book*, Colswein's authority was substantial; he held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the Crown, making him a pivotal figure in the new Anglo-Norman administration. His role was to impose order, administer justice, and secure the region for the King.
Upon Colswein’s death, the succession of his son, Picot, as the 2nd Baron of Brattleby, was a moment of profound importance. While individual records for Picot are scarce, the seamless inheritance of the title and its associated lands represented a successful test of the feudal system. It confirmed that the Barony was not merely a life grant to a single warrior but an enduring hereditary honour, cementing the family's deep-rooted presence in the fabric of Lincolnshire for centuries to come. This first transition was the *sine qua non* for the survival of the line.
## Distinguished Company
While Picot, the 2nd Baron, stands at the head of a long line of successors, his inheritance paved the way for a lineage of notable figures who would shape English history. The continuity he secured allowed for the ascendancy of later Barons who held the title with distinction and formidable influence.
Among these were the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through marriage to the House of Lancaster, held by such personages as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned commander and diplomat; and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose son would become King Henry IV. This early, quiet succession from Colswein to Picot was the foundation upon which these great legacies were built.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of a feudal barony in the late eleventh century was governed by strict and solemn ceremonial protocol. Upon his father's death, Picot would have been required to perform an act of homage and fealty to his liege lord, King William Rufus or King Henry I. This ancient ritual was the cornerstone of the feudal contract.
The new Baron would kneel, placing his clasped hands between those of the sovereign, and swear a sacred oath of loyalty. This gesture symbolised his submission and his promise of military service and counsel. In return, the King would grant him ‘investiture’ with the barony, signified by the bestowal of a symbolic object, *inter alia*, a banner, a lance, or a clod of earth from the lands themselves. This ceremony legally and publicly affirmed Picot’s rights and his sacred duty to hold his lands *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry with hereditary coats of arms developed after Picot’s time, the principles that underpin the Brattleby motto were already in effect. The charge to hold and defend the Barony with fortitude and honour was the implicit duty of every Norman lord. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a later addition but the codification of an ancient responsibility.
This spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a historical context, this reflects the martial reality of the Norman era, where survival and victory were intertwined. Today, it speaks to a modern interpretation: that to thrive, to overcome challenges, and to ensure the flourishing of one's legacy is the very essence of living a purposeful life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The concept of philanthropy has evolved, yet its roots lie in the feudal principle of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the nobility to protect and care for those under their charge. For Colswein and Picot, this responsibility was the governance and security of the people living on their vast Lincolnshire estates. Their 'purpose' was the stewardship of both land and life.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby expresses this same principle through its focused philanthropic endeavours. This ancient duty of care is now channelled into support for charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House believes that the historical obligation to safeguard one's community translates directly into the modern imperative to heal its most vulnerable members, demonstrating that the spirit of compassionate stewardship remains constant across the centuries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To understand the Barony today, we must appreciate its origins. Picot's succession was the first test of its endurance. It was a quiet affirmation that this was not a temporary grant awarded to one man, but a legacy to be stewarded from one generation to the next *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The transfer from one generation to the next, whether in the eleventh century or the twenty-first, is the defining moment of any enduring house. It is the instant where survival becomes continuity. In this, to endure is to conquer — *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House’s reflection on its first succession reinforces its commitment to the future. Just as the Barony passed from Colswein to Picot, the legacy today is secured for the next generation through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
The duty of the current holders is not only to preside over the Barony but also to serve as its custodians and educators. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House works to instil the timeless values of honour, duty, and cultural preservation. By studying its origins, the House fortifies its future, ensuring that the long chain of succession, which began with Picot so many centuries ago, continues unbroken and with renewed purpose.
---
**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 stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission combines the preservation of its profound English heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of timeless European values. The House actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare and mental health, notably Healing the Wounded Child, and promotes social education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. 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 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original lands are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. A title of significant historical importance, it has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the powerful defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, as well as Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised and its succession recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com