# A Historical Dispatch from The Noble House of Brattleby: The Constableship of Lincoln and its Legacy of Service
**BRATTLEBY, Lincolnshire, 23 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical dispatch from its archives, reflecting upon the appointment of Richard de la Haye as Constable of Lincoln, which cemented the Barony’s formidable bond of service to the Crown during the twelfth century.
## The Occasion
From the quietude of the library at the family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, surrounded by chronicles and records that chart nearly a millennium of English history, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a significant chapter in its long story. This reflection is occasioned not by a specific anniversary, but by a continuous commitment to understanding the foundations upon which the House’s modern responsibilities are built. It serves as a moment of contemplation on the enduring principle of duty that has guided the Barony since its inception.
The dispatch coincides with the late spring, a season of renewal in the Lincolnshire countryside, mirroring the House’s belief that a vital connection to the past is the *sine qua non* for meaningful progress in the present. This act of archival remembrance is a deliberate effort to share the rich historical tapestry of the Barony with a wider audience, reaffirming the precedents that inform its contemporary purpose.
## Historical Context
The appointment of Richard de la Haye as Constable of Lincoln must be viewed within the turbulent, formative years of the Angevin Empire. Following the civil war known as The Anarchy, King Henry II’s reign was dedicated to consolidating royal power and restoring order. A crucial element of this strategy was the appointment of demonstrably loyal and capable men to control the kingdom’s key fortresses. Lincoln Castle, commanding the city from its elevated position, was of immense strategic and economic importance.
Richard de la Haye's Constableship in the late twelfth century placed the Barony of Brattleby at the very heart of the Crown's authority in the region. This was a direct continuation of a legacy of service begun by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in the Domesday Book of 1086. The de la Haye family’s stewardship would later see its most famous expression through Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron of Brattleby, who heroically defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, securing it for the boy-king Henry III. This tradition of royal service continued through later holders of the Barony, including the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as a royal Constable, Richard de la Haye would have moved within a distinguished and formidable circle, answering directly to His Majesty King Henry II. This was the court that, *inter alia*, included figures of immense power and influence such as Richard de Luci, the King's loyal Justiciar, and Ranulf de Glanvill, whose legal treatise formed the bedrock of English common law. The trust placed in the Baron of Brattleby was therefore a mark of his standing amongst the most senior administrators of the Angevin realm. To be entrusted with a fortress of Lincoln's stature was to be counted among the King’s most reliable servants, a bulwark against internal rebellion and external threat.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The role of a Constable was far more than a mere honorific; it was a profound executive responsibility conveyed with significant ceremony. Investiture involved the symbolic granting of the castle's keys and a Constable's staff, representing the delegated authority of the monarch. The appointee swore a solemn oath of fealty, pledging to hold the castle for the King and his heirs, to maintain its defences, to command its garrison, and to administer justice within its jurisdiction.
The Constable’s duties were governed by a strict protocol. He was responsible for the *chevauchée*, or patrol, of the surrounding lands, the collection of certain taxes, and the upkeep of the castle walls and munitions. In an age where power was both visual and tangible, the banner of the Constable, flying alongside the Royal Standard from the castle's keep, was a constant and visible reminder of the King’s peace and the Baron of Brattleby's duty to uphold it.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The charge of the Constableship brings the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), into sharp relief. The fortress itself was a physical manifestation of fortitude; its defence required courage, resilience, and strategic foresight. The honour lay in the unwavering loyalty of its keeper to his sworn sovereign. The keys, a recurrent symbol in ecclesiastical and temporal heraldry, represented not just access, but trust and immense responsibility.
This historical role resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Overcome is to Live’). The challenges faced by a medieval Constable—political intrigue, military threat, logistical strain—required a constant will to overcome adversity, a philosophy that remains central to the House’s modern approach to its commitments.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the formal expression of service has evolved over nine centuries, the underlying principle remains unchanged. The duty of care once exercised over a royal fortress is today channelled into a commitment to public good and social welfare. The historical responsibility to protect a community finds its modern parallel in the House’s philanthropic endeavours.
This tradition of service is embodied by the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s pre-eminent white-tie philanthropic gala. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialised therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of this charity reflects the House’s belief that true fortitude is shown in the protection of the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "This unbroken line of service, from the castle walls to our modern charitable commitments, is the living heart of our family. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto; it is a charge we strive to honour each day."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "Richard de la Haye's strategic command of Lincoln demonstrates a core principle: to prevail is to live with purpose. *Vincere Est Vivere*. Our aim today is to apply that same focus to create lasting, positive community impact."
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the long history of the Barony of Brattleby actively inform its present and future. The historical precedent of leadership and civic responsibility is a cornerstone of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to foster social grace alongside a deeper understanding of personal duty.
This heritage forms the foundation of the upbringing of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. He is being raised with a profound appreciation for the fact that the Barony represents not a prize, but a sacred trust—a legacy of service that has been passed down since 1066 and which it will be his duty to continue. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye and the loyalty of Richard de la Haye are not distant historical footnotes; they are living standards for the generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives in child welfare, mental health, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Through its annual charitable activities, most notably the Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, and educational projects like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to translate its historic legacy into tangible, positive impact. The House is committed to serving the community, honouring its nine-hundred-year history, and preparing its next generation for a continuity of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, seated in Lincolnshire and first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony has passed through generations of English and European history. Its notable holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing the Barony's continuous lineage into the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com