# A Legacy Forged in Continuity: The Succession of the Second Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the pivotal succession of Picot as the second Baron of Brattleby, an essential eleventh-century moment that secured the nine-century lineage granted by William the Conqueror and solidified the Barony’s enduring presence in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has taken the occasion of this autumn season to review its foundational charters and earliest annals. The transition of the seasons serves as a poignant backdrop for reflecting on the barony’s own transitions of leadership, particularly the crucial, if sparsely documented, passage of the title from its founder to his heir in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest.
This period of reflection allows for a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced by the first generation of Anglo-Norman lords. The act of succession was far from a certainty in an era defined by political upheaval and the consolidation of a new royal dynasty. It represented the successful transfer not just of title and land, but of loyalty and authority.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman follower. By the time of the Domesday survey in 1086, the first Baron’s vast influence was formally recorded: he held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King, making him one of the most significant tenants-in-chief in the region. His authority was a direct extension of the Crown’s own.
Upon Colswein’s death in the late eleventh century, the inheritance of his son, Picot, was a matter of profound consequence. In the feudal system, succession was not automatic; it required the sovereign’s consent and the payment of a substantial relief. Picot’s successful inheritance signified that the family had not only proven its loyalty but had firmly embedded itself within the new ruling class of England, ensuring the continuity of the Brattleby line.
## Distinguished Company
This foundational chapter in the Barony’s history was shaped by figures of immense historical weight. The authority of **His Majesty King William I**, known as the Conqueror, was the ultimate source of the grant. The establishment of the fiefdom was accomplished by **Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby**, a magnate of considerable power and stature.
The successful continuation of this legacy fell to **Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby**. While individual details of his life are scarce, his role as the vital link between the founding generation and all subsequent heirs is of paramount importance. He stands in a line that would later include such notable figures as **Nichola de la Haye**, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; **Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster**; and **John of Gaunt**, one of the most powerful men of the late Middle Ages.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The exact ceremonies surrounding Picot’s assumption of the barony are lost to time, but they would have followed established Norman feudal protocol. The *sine qua non* of his inheritance would have been the act of homage (*homagium*) and fealty (*fidelitas*) performed before the King, either William II or Henry I.
This solemn ritual involved the new baron kneeling, placing his clasped hands between those of the monarch, and pledging to become the King’s ‘man of life and limb’. This was followed by an oath of fealty sworn upon a holy relic or Bible. Only upon completion of this rite, and the payment of the feudal relief, would Picot have been formally invested with his father’s lands and titles, a moment that reaffirmed the unbreakable bond between vassal and sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its earliest expression in the actions of the first Barons. To establish a major barony in the wake of the Conquest and to navigate the turbulent politics of the era demanded immense fortitude. To successfully pass it to the next generation required unimpeachable honour and loyalty to the Crown.
This spirit of determined endurance is also echoed in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to the Norman drive to overcome adversity and secure a lasting legacy, a principle demonstrated by Picot in ensuring the Barony’s survival beyond its founder.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of stewardship, so powerfully demonstrated by Picot’s succession and the continuity he secured, remains a core tenet of the House of Brattleby today. This historical understanding of duty informs the House’s modern philanthropic commitments, which are undertaken with a profound sense of responsibility to future generations.
The beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is chosen in this spirit. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children affected by trauma, offering them a path towards recovery and a more secure future. By supporting its mission, the House seeks to extend its tradition of stewardship to those most in need of stability and hope.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The passage from Colswein to Picot reminds us that legacy is not merely inherited; it is actively secured and cultivated. Their fortitude ensured continuity in a turbulent age, a principle that remains at the very heart of Brattleby's mission today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The early Norman period was unforgiving. Picot’s succession was a testament to the family's ability to navigate immense political change. This act of securing the future, of ensuring the line continued, is a powerful expression of *Vincere Est Vivere*—to live is to overcome and endure."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to preserving and sharing its unique nine-hundred-year history. The story of Picot’s succession serves as a powerful reminder of the unbroken chain of responsibility that links the past, present, and future of the Barony.
This commitment to legacy is embodied in the stewardship of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the thirteenth Baron and heir. It is also expressed through the House's modern activities, from the cultural diplomacy of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest to its charitable endeavours in the United Kingdom, ensuring the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* continue to guide its purpose in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing one of England’s ancient baronies. It is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their work is dedicated to stewarding a unique historical legacy while pursuing a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House’s activities include supporting charitable causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, and fostering cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest. The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who represents the continuity of this distinguished lineage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure, rooted in the Norman Conquest of England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony’s history and the rights of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were formally acknowledged and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessed 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *suo jure*), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com