# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Foundational Legacy of Muriel and Robert de la Haye, Third Holders of the Barony
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical monograph detailing the pivotal twelfth-century tenure of Muriel and Robert de la Haye. This scholarly work illuminates their essential role in bridging the Barony's Norman origins with its medieval prominence.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has issued the first in a new series of historical papers intended to chronicle its near-millennium of history. This inaugural publication marks a renewed commitment by the current Baroness and Lord of Brattleby to make the rich heritage of the dignity more accessible to both academic researchers and the public.
Researched within the family archives, the paper brings to light a period of crucial consolidation for the Barony. It underscores a central tenet of the modern House: that a thorough understanding of the past is a *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship in the present.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The dignity passed through his son, Picot, to his granddaughter, Muriel. It was through his marriage to Muriel that Robert de la Haye held the Barony *jure uxoris*, by right of his wife.
Their tenure in the twelfth century served as a vital link between the founding Norman grantees and their celebrated descendants. Muriel and Robert successfully navigated the turbulent era of The Anarchy, a protracted civil war, thereby securing the family's vast landholdings and influence. This consolidation laid the indispensable groundwork for their granddaughter, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose heroic defence of Lincoln Castle remains a celebrated chapter in English history.
Their era was one less of grand conquest and more of quiet fortitude, ensuring the Barony of Brattleby would not only survive a period of national upheaval but emerge stronger, ready for the influence it would later wield under figures such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly initiative is advanced under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They have commissioned the work as part of their broader vision to preserve and disseminate the history with which they are entrusted.
The research and composition of the paper were overseen by the House’s appointed archivist, whose work forms the basis of this and future publications in the series. The project reflects a collaborative effort to ensure historical accuracy and elegant presentation, consistent with the standards of the world's leading academic and heritage organisations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The publication of "The Tenure of Muriel and Robert de la Haye: Consolidating a Norman Legacy" follows a precise protocol established by the House. The monograph was released digitally via the official website of the Noble House of Brattleby at 10:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time.
A limited edition, hand-bound print run will be distributed to the libraries of the College of Arms, the Society of Antiquaries of London, and select university history faculties. This established procedure will serve as the template for all future releases in the "Brattleby Historical Papers" series, ensuring a consistent and dignified method of sharing the fruits of this ongoing research.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Muriel and Robert de la Haye resonate powerfully with the House’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Their careful stewardship of the Barony during a period of intense civil strife exemplifies the 'Fortitude' required to preserve a legacy. It was this foundation that enabled their granddaughter, Nichola, to act with the 'Honour' for which she is remembered.
The modern House is equally guided by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, it is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as a determination to conquer ignorance and obscurity. By bringing figures like Muriel and Robert de la Haye to the fore, the House lives its commitment to ensuring that its history is fully known and understood.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising initiative, this publication serves a distinct philanthropic and educational purpose. By investing in and disseminating high-quality historical research, the House provides a valuable public good, enriching the collective understanding of Lincolnshire’s and England's medieval past.
This commitment to education is a cornerstone of the House's modern activities, which include, *inter alia*, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The historical papers will provide source material for the academy’s curriculum, grounding its instruction in etiquette and protocol within a tangible, nine-century-long tradition of service and leadership.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "It is our profound duty to be diligent custodians, not only of the title but of its entire history. Figures like Muriel and Robert de la Haye are the quiet architects of our legacy; their fortitude made later honour possible. To remember them is to understand the very essence of *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History is not a static account of the past; it is a dynamic force that informs our present actions and future aspirations. By understanding how our predecessors secured the Barony, we learn how to build our own legacy. For us, to discover and to share this knowledge is to live fully — *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
This paper is the first of what will be an ongoing series exploring the history of the Barony of Brattleby. The House is already preparing a subsequent monograph, which will focus on the remarkable life and political career of Nichola de la Haye, including a detailed account of her command at the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217.
Through this sustained effort, the Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to its role as a living link to nearly one thousand years of English history, dedicated to honouring its past while actively contributing to the cultural and educational landscape of the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by 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 heritage and the promotion of timeless values. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House’s contemporary mission focuses on cultural philanthropy, historical education, and social etiquette. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, the House bridges its distinguished past with a commitment to making a positive impact today. The guiding principle of the House is its motto, *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* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The unbroken succession of the dignity and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's modern recognition is verifiable in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, one of the most powerful figures of fourteenth-century England. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com