# The Continuity of the Barony: A Statement on the Second Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical clarification concerning the tenure of Picot, the second Baron of Brattleby. This statement illuminates his vital role in preserving the Barony during the turbulent period following the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has released this monograph as part of a continuing archival project. Initiated by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this scholarly endeavour seeks to document the contributions of each holder of the title, ensuring the nine-century history of the Barony is comprehensively understood.
This publication is timed to coincide with the autumn season, a traditional period of reflection and historical study. The statement serves not as a celebration of a single event, but as a deliberate act of historical stewardship, reinforcing the House’s commitment to its own deep past and its duty to preserve that narrative for the future.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant magnate whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, cementing his status as a trusted follower of William the Conqueror.
Upon Colswein’s death, the title and its vast landholdings passed to his successor, Picot. The second Baron faced the formidable task not of conquest, but of consolidation. In an era defined by shifting allegiances and the establishment of a new feudal order, Picot’s tenure was a masterclass in governance. His work ensured the continuity of the Barony, providing the stable foundation upon which later celebrated figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye and the royal prince John of Gaunt, would build.
## Distinguished Company
While Picot’s baronial court would not have hosted the array of international dignitaries seen at modern functions, his position placed him within a complex network of the Anglo-Norman elite. His primary allegiances were sworn, first and foremost, to the Crown, initially King William I and subsequently his sons, William II and Henry I.
As a significant landholder in Lincolnshire, the second Baron would have engaged directly with the Bishop of Lincoln and the Sheriff of Lincolnshire, the two most powerful royal agents in the region. His interactions with these figures were crucial for maintaining local order and fulfilling the feudal obligations—*inter alia*, the provision of knights for the king's army—that were a *sine qua non* of his title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of the Barony to Picot would have been governed by the strict feudal ceremonies of the late 11th century. The central ritual was the act of homage, a public and binding commitment. The new Baron would have knelt, placed his joined hands between those of his liege lord—the King—and declared himself the King’s ‘man’.
This was followed by the oath of fealty, a sacred vow of loyalty sworn upon a holy relic or Bible. Only upon completion of these solemnities was Picot legally invested with the rights and responsibilities of the Barony of Brattleby. This ancient protocol underscored that land and title were not owned outright but held from the Crown in exchange for service and loyalty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Formalised armorial bearings, or coats of arms, developed in the decades following Picot’s lifetime. As such, he would not have borne the heraldry associated with the later House of Brattleby. However, the spirit of his actions resonates deeply with the House’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
Picot’s fortitude was not displayed on the battlefield but in the diligent administration required to secure a vast and disparate estate. His honour was demonstrated by his steadfast fulfilment of his duties to his sovereign and his tenants. In this, his stewardship embodies the foundational principles that have guided the Barony for over 950 years.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical publication is an academic exercise, it is deeply connected to the modern educational mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The research forms part of the core curriculum for The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy established in Bucharest.
The Club instructs its patrons on the principles of civic duty, social responsibility, and the importance of legacy. By presenting the story of quiet administrators like Picot, the House provides a powerful example of how effective governance and dutiful service, rather than solely grand gestures, form the true bedrock of lasting institutions. This commitment to education mirrors the House’s broader philanthropic work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the second Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “History rightly remembers the great warriors and builders, but the continuity of any ancient house depends equally upon the quiet stewards. It is our duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to ensure that those who secured the foundations, like Picot, are given their proper place in the narrative.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, offered a complementary perspective linked to his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'): > “Conquest is not always a matter of arms. Picot’s challenge was one of administration and politics in a new and uncertain world. By successfully consolidating the Barony and ensuring its survival, he achieved a victory that allowed it to thrive for centuries. In that, he truly demonstrated that to conquer is to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This statement on the second Baron of Brattleby is the first in a planned series of historical monographs. Future publications will explore other significant figures in the Barony’s lineage, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated fifth Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders, and Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster.
Through this ongoing scholarly project, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to its unique heritage. The House will continue to bridge its nine-century history with a forward-looking mission of education, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy, ensuring the legacy of the Barony remains a vital force in the 21st century.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old legacy. Its modern mission combines the active preservation of its history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England's ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The historical rights and title of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The Barony's modern rights were formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (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