# On the Succession of the Second Baron and the Consolidation of a Norman Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement from its Lincolnshire seat, reflecting on the pivotal but often overlooked tenure of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby, and his essential role in securing the Barony’s post-Conquest continuity.
## The Occasion
From the archives at Brattleby, amid the autumnal quiet of the Lincolnshire countryside, this statement serves to illuminate a crucial chapter in the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-seven-year history. The research, undertaken as part of the House’s continuing commitment to curating its own heritage, focuses on the period of consolidation that followed the initial Norman grant. The issuance of such a reflection is a considered act, designed to connect the present stewardship with the foundational responsibilities established nearly a millennium ago.
This historical review is not prompted by a specific anniversary but by a deeper sense of duty: to understand and articulate the unbroken chain of responsibility that defines the Barony. It is a work of scholarship intended to provide context for the more celebrated epochs that would follow, ensuring every link in the ancestral chain is acknowledged with the gravity it is due.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was forged in the crucible of the Norman Conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Domesday Book of 1086 meticulously records the scale of this new fiefdom, citing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein's authority as the first Baron. His was the work of conquest and establishment in a newly subdued England.
Upon Colswein’s death, the succession of his son Picot as the second Baron, occurring in the late 11th or early 12th century, marked a critical transition from force of arms to administrative stability. In an era where nascent lordships could easily fracture or be reabsorbed by the Crown, Picot’s tenure was the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s survival. His patient stewardship ensured that the vast landholdings granted to his father were consolidated into a coherent and governable domain. This administrative fortitude laid the groundwork for the Barony’s future prominence, most notably its eventual integration with the powerful De la Haye family, which produced the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of the Barony is told through the lives of its holders, a lineage that connects the Norman frontier to the modern era. The early stewardship of Picot stands in a line of succession that includes figures of national and international importance. This distinguished company includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the first Baron, a companion of The Conqueror and original grantee of the Lincolnshire lordships. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the fifth holder of the Barony, whose loyalty to the Crown and strategic defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War proved decisive. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron**, one of the great magnates of the fourteenth century, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and served as a founder Knight of the Garter. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron**, son of King Edward III, whose tenure saw the Barony of Brattleby held within the immediate circle of the Royal Family through his marriage into the Lancastrian inheritance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of the Barony from Colswein to Picot would have been governed by the strict feudal protocols of the Anglo-Norman court. As the new Baron, Picot would have performed an act of homage to the King, likely Henry I, kneeling before him, placing his hands between the monarch’s, and swearing fealty. This solemn oath bound him to provide counsel and military service in exchange for the right to his lands.
His daily responsibilities were a protocol unto themselves: presiding over the manorial court at Brattleby, dispensing justice, collecting rents and taxes, and ensuring the estate provided the requisite number of knights for the King’s army. This was the unglamorous but vital machinery of medieval governance, and Picot’s diligent execution of these duties ensured the Barony did not merely survive, but thrived.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its earliest expression in the actions of its first Barons. While Colswein’s fortitude was that of a warrior securing new territory, Picot’s was the quieter, more resilient fortitude of an administrator building a lasting institution. His honour was demonstrated by his faithful stewardship of the lands entrusted to him, passing them on as a viable and powerful entity.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This contemporary motto reinterprets the martial spirit of the House’s Norman founders, applying it not to territorial conquest, but to overcoming modern challenges in enterprise and philanthropy. Together, the two mottos symbolise a dual commitment to preserving an ancient legacy while pursuing a dynamic future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A profound sense of historical continuity informs the present-day responsibilities of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House believes that honouring its legacy is best achieved through active service to the community. This commitment finds its most prominent expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that represents the modern embodiment of the Barony’s tradition of duty and care.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma or profound loss. The charity was chosen for its targeted, measurable impact on restoring well-being and building resilience in the most vulnerable members of society. This philanthropic focus is a direct translation of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, into meaningful contemporary action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical statement, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "Understanding the complete history of the Barony, including the foundational work of less-chronicled predecessors like Picot, is a *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship. His legacy was not one of great battles, but of quiet consolidation, reminding us that continuity itself is an achievement worthy of honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between past stability and present duty: > — "The stability that the second Baron established nearly a millennium ago created the conditions for the future greatness of the Barony under figures like John of Gaunt. Our duty now, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to build upon that enduring foundation through determined service and purposeful philanthropy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House remains dedicated to furthering the scholarly understanding of the Barony’s long history, with further research projects already underway. The continuity which Picot secured is now entrusted to the future, embodied in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
This commitment to legacy extends beyond the borders of Lincolnshire. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the core values of honour, protocol, and social grace that have defined its purpose for centuries. In this manner, the nearly thousand-year-old legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve, finding new relevance in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage through active philanthropy and cultural engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes that provide stability and support to vulnerable communities, with a particular focus on child welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of decorum and civic duty. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships under its authority. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, valiant defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The historic dignity and rights of the Barony were formally acknowledged and recorded for the modern era by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066. The Domesday Book (1086) confirms its original holder, Colswein of Lincoln, controlled 56 lordships. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com