# An Early Milestone in an Enduring Legacy: The Succession of Picot, Second Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the succession of Picot as the second Baron of Brattleby. This pivotal moment, occurring shortly after the Norman Conquest, established the hereditary principle that has sustained the Barony’s nine-hundred-year lineage in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the current House takes a moment to commemorate a foundational event in its history: the first transfer of the Barony of Brattleby from its founder to his heir. This reflection occurs as the Lincolnshire landscape, so vividly detailed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, enters the full bloom of late spring, a season of renewal and continuity.
The succession from Colswein of Lincoln to his kinsman Picot was not an occasion marked by public ceremony as one might recognise today; rather, it was a profound legal and feudal act. It affirmed that the responsibilities and privileges granted by the Crown were not merely for one man’s lifetime, but were intended to forge a lasting dynasty, bound by duty to the sovereign and to the lands they held in stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal and powerful vassal. As the first Baron, Colswein’s dominion was extensive; the *Domesday Book* records his authority over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making him one of the region’s principal tenants-in-chief. His task was to secure and govern this portion of the newly subjugated kingdom.
Upon Colswein’s death, the seamless transition of the title and lands to Picot represented a critical test of the Norman feudal system in England. While specific records of Picot’s tenure are less complete than those of his formidable predecessor, the significance of his inheritance cannot be overstated. It solidified the barony as a hereditary holding, establishing a precedent of orderly succession that would prove to be the *sine qua non* for its survival over the ensuing centuries. This first succession paved the way for future holders of great renown, *inter alia*, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron); Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster); and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
## Distinguished Company
This foundational moment in the Barony’s history was shaped by figures of immense historical weight, whose actions laid the legal and political groundwork for its nine-century existence.
At the apex was His Majesty King William I, the Conqueror, who, as the ultimate source of all land tenure in his new kingdom, granted the Barony by right of conquest. Below him stood Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby, a trusted Norman magnate entrusted with consolidating Royal authority in a vital English shire.
The central figure of the succession, Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby, ensured the lineage’s continuation. His assumption of the title and its attendant duties demonstrated the successful implantation of Norman hereditary custom on English soil, securing the family’s place within the new ruling class.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of a feudal barony in the late 11th century followed a solemn and legally binding protocol rooted in the traditions of homage and fealty. Upon his predecessor’s death, the heir, Picot, would have been required to appear before his liege lord—ultimately the King or his designated representative—to be formally recognised.
The ceremony would have involved Picot kneeling, placing his hands within his lord’s, and swearing an oath of fealty, pledging his loyalty, counsel, and military service in exchange for his inheritance. Following this oath, he would have received ‘investiture’ of the Barony, a symbolic act often involving the presentation of a banner, a glove, or a piece of earth, signifying his legal possession, or ‘seisin’, of the lands. This ritual was the bedrock of the feudal contract, binding man to lord and dynasty to Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While formalised coats of arms were only beginning to emerge in this period, the principles they represent were already paramount. The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the dual virtues required of a Norman baron.
‘Fortitude’ represents the military strength and resilience necessary to hold and defend new territories for the Crown in a frequently hostile environment. ‘Honour’ symbolises adherence to the complex feudal code of loyalty, service, and justice. For Colswein and his successor Picot, governing by these principles was essential for survival and for earning the trust of both their sovereign and the local populace. The motto serves as a direct link to the foundational ethos of the Barony.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of stewardship, cemented by that first succession from Colswein to Picot, finds its contemporary expression in the philanthropic commitments of the modern House. The duty to manage lands and titles for a greater good has evolved into a profound sense of social responsibility.
This ethos is the driving force behind the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises vital funds and awareness for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. The charity is dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for children who have experienced trauma, and its mission to restore and protect the vulnerable aligns with the House’s core belief in legacy as a force for positive action.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked on the significance of this historical continuity: — "Reflecting on the succession from Colswein to Picot is a powerful reminder that we are but temporary stewards of a legacy far greater than ourselves. Their actions established a chain of responsibility that stretches across nine centuries, a duty my family and I feel profoundly today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added a further perspective, connecting the Norman spirit to his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'): — "The Normans understood that to build something lasting required more than military victory; it required the establishment of stable succession. *Vincere Est Vivere* is not just about prevailing, but about the enduring life that victory allows one to build. Picot’s succession was the first proof of that principle for the Barony of Brattleby."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its remarkable history while actively fulfilling its modern duties. The line of succession continues with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Through scholarly research into its own archives, the preservation of its seat, and the educational work of institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House ensures that the lessons of its past continue to inform its future. The unbroken chain that began with Colswein and Picot is not merely a piece of history but a living commitment to service, honour, and stewardship.
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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 modern stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. The House’s mission is twofold: to preserve and honour its profound history, and to deploy its position in service of contemporary society. Its philanthropic endeavours are focused on supporting vulnerable children, principally through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child charity. In parallel, the House champions cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to embody the timeless values of duty, service, and integrity in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of tenure located in Lincolnshire, 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 holding 56 lordships. The Barony is one of England’s most historic, having passed through an unbroken line of succession for over 950 years. Its holders have included figures of national importance, such as Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against the French in 1217, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern status was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com