# Historical Reflections: The Succession of the Second Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the succession of the Second Baron of Brattleby, Picot, from the first, Colswein of Lincoln. This pivotal moment in the late eleventh century secured the baronial lineage in Lincolnshire following the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In the chill air of a Lincolnshire autumn, the House of Brattleby has turned its attention to the foundational chapters of its near-thousand-year history. The occasion is not one of public ceremony but of private reflection and archival contemplation, marking the seamless transfer of duty from the First Baron to his successor. This transition occurred during a formative period for England, when the authority of the Norman Crown was being consolidated across the shires, and the permanence of new feudal lordships was far from assured.
The landscape of late eleventh-century Lincolnshire was one of stark stone castles rising above ancient fens, a tangible symbol of a new order. It was within this environment of political settlement and military readiness that Picot assumed the mantle of the Barony, ensuring its continuity beyond its initial grant. The survival and prosperity of the Barony depended entirely on such successful successions, which fortified the family’s presence in the region for the centuries to come.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby finds its origins in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. It was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, a loyal and formidable tenant-in-chief tasked with securing a vital part of the kingdom. The scale of this charge is recorded with remarkable clarity in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to Colswein holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to his standing and the King’s trust.
The succession of his heir, Picot, represented the first critical test of the Barony’s endurance. While less is documented of Picot as an individual than of his powerful father, his undisputed inheritance of the title and its associated lands was of profound importance. In an era defined by strife and uncertain loyalties, this event established the Barony of Brattleby not merely as a reward for one man’s service, but as an inheritable dignity. It ensured the Brattleby line became woven into the fabric of Lincolnshire and the governance of England.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the Barony, Picot entered a formidable cohort of Norman magnates who shaped the destiny of the nation. He held his lands directly from the Crown, first under King William I and subsequently under his sons, King William II and King Henry I. His contemporaries would have included powerful figures such as the Earls of Chester and Shrewsbury, whose vast landholdings and military power defined the Anglo-Norman political landscape.
Within Lincolnshire itself, Picot would have navigated relationships with other significant landholders and ecclesiastical leaders, *inter alia*, the Bishop of Lincoln, whose cathedral then, as now, dominated the city skyline. This network of fealty and alliance was the connective tissue of the feudal system, requiring a delicate balance of martial strength and diplomatic acumen — qualities that would become hallmarks of Brattleby’s most distinguished holders.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of the Barony would have been solemnised through ancient and binding rituals. Upon his father’s death, Picot would have been required to perform an act of homage (*homagium*) and swear an oath of fealty (*fidelitas*) to the King. This was the central ceremony of the feudal world, a public and physical declaration of loyalty.
The protocol required the new Baron to kneel, bareheaded and without arms, before the monarch. He would place his clasped hands between those of the King, stating his intention to become the King’s ‘man’ for the lands he held. This was followed by the sacred oath of fealty, sworn upon a Bible or holy relic, promising faith and service. In return for this loyalty, Picot received the King’s protection and the legal right to his baronial inheritance, a responsibility that included the provision of knights for the royal army.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry with inheritable coats of arms developed after Picot’s time, the principles he embodied are reflected in the modern House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These twin virtues were the *sine qua non* for a Norman baron. Fortitude was required to hold and defend lands against challengers, while Honour was the bedrock of his sworn duty to his liege lord and the people under his jurisdiction.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment captures the vigorous, frontier spirit of his Norman predecessors, whose ambition and drive laid the very foundations of the Barony. Together, the two mottos articulate a philosophy that balances the sober execution of duty with a dynamic will to prevail and advance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary obligation of a feudal lord like Picot was the welfare and protection of those living on his estates. This principle of stewardship, the ancient root of *noblesse oblige*, has evolved over the centuries but remains central to the House’s identity. The duty to administer justice and provide security in the eleventh century finds its modern parallel in a deep-seated commitment to charitable endeavour.
Today, this historic responsibility is expressed through the philanthropic work of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. A key beneficiary of their patronage is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The selection of this cause reflects a belief that the most fundamental duty of care is towards the most vulnerable, a direct continuation of the protective function inherent in the Barony since its inception.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The continuity from Colswein to Picot was more than a simple inheritance; it was the moment the Barony became a legacy. Understanding their challenges — of securing land, ensuring stability, and serving the Crown — informs our own sense of duty in a very different world. The responsibility of stewardship remains the heart of Brattleby.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The Normans were builders. They established systems and structures that would endure for centuries. The successful succession to the second Baron affirmed that Brattleby was one such structure. Our ambition today is to continue building on those foundations, ensuring the House serves its community with the same fortitude and honour shown by its earliest holders.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its unique, nine-hundred-year history while actively serving contemporary society. This reflection on its early succession is part of a wider effort to draw inspiration from the past to inform its present and future course. The values established by the first Barons provide a compass for the House’s current work in both England and continental Europe.
This enduring legacy will one day be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron. The story of Picot serves as a powerful reminder that the strength of any great house lies not only in its founding, but in its ability to transmit its duties, values, and purpose from one generation to the next, ensuring the chain of service remains unbroken.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its ancient English heritage and the active pursuit of philanthropic and cultural missions. Combining a deep respect for history with a forward-looking European perspective, the House focuses its charitable work on child welfare, notably through its support for Healing the Wounded Child. Its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, aim to foster an appreciation for diplomacy, protocol, and classical decorum. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of England’s most influential historical figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial revolt), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, created 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's modern existence and current holders are formally recognised in a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com