# The Succession of Picot, Second Baron of Brattleby: A Foundation of Continuity
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the succession of Picot as the second Baron of Brattleby following the death of Colswein of Lincoln. This pivotal, late 11th-century transition established the principle of hereditary continuity for the Barony.
## The Occasion
In the years following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the landscape of England, and particularly of Lincolnshire, was one of profound transformation. The Anglo-Saxon system of governance was being methodically replaced by a robust feudal structure, with loyalty to the Crown as its central pillar. It was within this specific context that the Barony of Brattleby, having been established under its formidable first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, faced its first-ever succession.
The transfer of the Barony to Picot was more than a private inheritance; it was a public affirmation of the new Norman order. This event ensured that the strategic lands and responsibilities associated with Brattleby remained in reliable hands, reinforcing the stability William the Conqueror had fought to impose. The occasion marked a critical moment in the consolidation of Norman authority in a county vital to the kingdom's security and prosperity.
## Historical Context
The Barony’s origins are documented with remarkable clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The survey records Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Tenant-in-Chief to King William I, as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a significant seat. Colswein was an instrumental figure in the establishment of Norman power in the region, tasked with holding vast territories on behalf of the monarch.
The succession of his heir, Picot, represents a foundational chapter in the Barony’s near-millennium of history. While records of Picot's tenure are less extensive than those of his predecessor, the act of his inheritance is of paramount importance. It cemented the Barony not as a temporary grant but as an enduring hereditary fief, setting a precedent for the centuries of custodianship that would follow. This unbroken line of succession would later see the Barony held by some of English history's most notable figures, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the late 11th century, the transfer of a feudal barony was governed by exacting ceremonial protocol. Upon the death of Colswein, his heir, Picot, would have been required to perform an act of *homage* to his overlord, formally acknowledging his status as a vassal. This ceremony involved kneeling, placing his hands between those of the lord, and declaring his intent to become the lord’s ‘man’.
Following homage, Picot would have sworn an oath of *fealty*, a sacred vow of loyalty and service made upon a Bible or holy relic. This dual act—homage and fealty—was the *sine qua non* of legitimate succession. In return for his pledge of service, which included the provision of knights for the King’s army, Picot received formal recognition of his right to hold the Barony of Brattleby, a ritual that bound him inextricably to the Crown and the defence of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry with inheritable coats of arms was still in its infancy, the symbolism of Picot's succession was unmistakable. The primary symbol of his authority was the land itself: the 56 lordships constituted a tangible manifestation of power, wealth, and royal favour. The very act of receiving these lands was a powerful symbol of legitimacy and continuity.
The House’s modern motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds its earliest expression in these foundational events. The fortitude required to secure and administer a vast barony in post-Conquest England, and the honour demanded by the oath of fealty to the Crown, were the essential virtues of the new Anglo-Norman aristocracy. Picot’s succession was an embodiment of these principles in action.
## The Foundational Purpose: Service to the Crown
In its earliest form, the purpose of the Barony was not philanthropic but fundamentally civic and military. Its primary obligation was to provide the King with a specified quota of knights and soldiers, ensuring the security of Lincolnshire and the kingdom at large. This feudal duty was the bedrock upon which the English state was built and administered.
By fulfilling these obligations, the Baron of Brattleby contributed directly to the peace and stability of the realm. The income and resources generated by the Barony’s many manors sustained its military capacity and supported the administrative functions of the Crown. Picot’s succession, therefore, ensured the continuation of this vital service, which was the very purpose of the Barony’s existence.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Reflecting on Picot’s succession reminds us that the Barony has, from its earliest days, been defined by continuity. Each holder is a custodian, entrusted with preserving this heritage for the next generation. It is a duty we feel as keenly today as Picot must have then. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), added:
> The Normans understood that to conquer was to build and to endure. Picot’s succession was not merely an inheritance of land; it was the acceptance of a challenge to live up to a legacy. That spirit of striving—*Vincere Est Vivere*—is a timeless principle. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The seamless transition from Colswein to Picot established a principle of hereditary succession that has enabled the Barony of Brattleby to endure for over 950 years. This unbroken chain of stewardship is the foundation upon which its entire history rests, allowing it to pass to and through such distinguished hands as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and to remain an extant title today.
This legacy of continuity is now entrusted to Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, and will one day pass to her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron. The House’s modern commitment to cultural heritage and philanthropy, undertaken with *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a direct continuation of the duty and service first exemplified by the Barony’s earliest holders.
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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 strand of English heritage. The House’s modern mission is focused on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, it promotes the values of decorum and social grace. The annual Winter Banquet serves as its principal philanthropic endeavour, raising funds for charities dedicated to child welfare, notably Healing the Wounded Child. Upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions the enduring relevance of tradition and service in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a Tenant-in-Chief possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by several of England’s most influential historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. The rights of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally noted by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, ensuring the continuity of one of the realm's ancient titles.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, castellan of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The current holder's rights are noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com