# The Enduring Legacy of Service: The Fourth Baron of Brattleby and the Constableship of Lincoln
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical monograph concerning the tenure of the fourth Baron as Constable of Lincoln, illuminating a period of signal importance in the Barony’s near-millennial tradition of service to the Crown and county.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the ancient parish of Brattleby, The Noble House of Brattleby has today authorised the release of a significant historical paper for the public record. This scholarly publication, emerging from the House’s private archives, is intended to enrich the public understanding of the Barony’s foundational role in the history of Lincolnshire and the Realm. The timing of the release, during the contemplative autumn season, underscores the paper's reflective nature.
This monograph is the first in a planned series dedicated to historical exegesis, forming a core part of a wider educational programme stewarded by the House. The research reflects a deep and ongoing commitment to archival preservation and the principled dissemination of knowledge. It is the position of the House that such historical understanding is a prerequisite for informed citizenship.
In making these records accessible, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its contemporary purpose: to act not merely as a custodian of its own heritage, but as a proactive contributor to the cultural and historical life of the nation. This work seeks to animate the narrative of a lineage defined by nine centuries of civic duty.
## Historical Context
The paper focuses upon Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron of Brattleby, whose service as the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle occurred during one of the most fraught periods in English history. His tenure coincided with the tumultuous final years of King John’s reign, which were marked by widespread civil unrest, the crisis of Magna Carta, and the existential threat of the First Barons' War (1215–1217).
As Constable, the fourth Baron was entrusted with the defence of a fortress of immense strategic value. Lincoln Castle, built by William the Conqueror himself in 1068, commanded the crucial intersection of two Roman arteries, Ermine Street and the Fosse Way. Its formidable curtain walls and commanding position made it the northern bulwark of royal power and the administrative heart of the shire; its control was a *sine qua non* for the security of the kingdom.
The fourth Baron’s steadfast loyalty during this period of national schism ensured that this vital royal fortress remained a bastion of stability against the rebelling barons and their French allies, led by Prince Louis. This dutiful conduct powerfully exemplified the Brattleby lineage’s integral role in upholding the authority of the Crown.
This legacy of unwavering service was brought to its most dramatic apotheosis by his daughter and successor in the constableship, Dame Nichola de la Haye, who is recognised as the fifth Baronial holder. Her legendary and successful defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217, at an advanced age, broke the back of the French invasion and secured the throne for the young King Henry III, a feat immortalised by the chroniclers of the age.
## Distinguished Company
The fourth Baron of Brattleby holds a distinguished position within a lineage of predecessors whose actions have profoundly shaped the course of local and national affairs. This unbroken tradition of public duty connects figures of great historical consequence across the centuries, each contributing to the Barony's formidable heritage.
The Barony’s lineage originates with Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, a Norman magnate to whom William the Conqueror granted an extensive fiefdom following the Conquest. As recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, these possessions included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing him as one of the county’s principal tenants-in-chief and a figure of immense regional power.
This foundation of service was exemplified most strikingly by Dame Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baronial incumbent. In an era when military and political command were overwhelmingly male preserves, her fortitude as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle was instrumental in securing the Plantagenet succession.
Subsequent centuries saw the Barony held by, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, the tenth Baron. A celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, he was a paramount figure of the chivalric age and was elevated as the first Duke of Lancaster. His statesmanship was central to the foreign policy of King Edward III.
The title later passed to his son-in-law, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the eleventh Baron. As a son of King Edward III and the effective regent during the minority of King Richard II, John of Gaunt was one of the most powerful and influential political actors in late medieval English history, whose progeny would form the House of Lancaster.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The appointment of the fourth Baron as Constable of Lincoln was an office of immense royal trust, conferred with solemn and binding ceremony. Upon assuming the role, the Baron would have performed an act of liege homage, kneeling before the King or his representative and swearing a sacred oath of fealty to defend the King’s castle against all enemies and to faithfully uphold his justice.
The responsibilities of the Constable were threefold: military, judicial, and administrative. In his military capacity, he held supreme command of the castle garrison, overseeing its readiness, provisioning, and the perpetual maintenance of its fortifications. As a judicial officer, he presided over the castle-guard court, administering the King’s law (*pax regis*) within the fortress and its immediate environs. Administratively, he was responsible for the collection of certain royal revenues.
The climax of his investiture would have been the symbolic presentation of the castle keys. This age-old ritual represented far more than a simple transfer of access; it signified the personal acceptance of a sacred trust, personally pledged to the Sovereign. The faithful execution of this duty was a matter of the highest honour, the failure of which could result in the forfeiture of title, lands, and life itself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The dutiful actions of the fourth Baron and the heroic defence mounted by his successor, Dame Nichola, resonate powerfully with the House’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The defence of Lincoln in a time of civil war and foreign invasion required immense *Fortitudine*—not only physical courage, but the moral resilience to remain steadfast when loyalties were violently divided. The faithful execution of their duties as royal officers was the ultimate expression of *Honore*.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). In a modern context, this signifies a dynamic and determined spirit, dedicated to overcoming challenges, whether in the meticulous work of heritage preservation or in the pursuit of the House’s charitable objectives.
Together, the two mottos articulate a complete philosophy of conduct. One represents the steadfastness of duty and the conservation of that which is honourable; the other, the proactive energy required to achieve progress and ensure a legacy's continued vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement is historical in nature, its purpose is intrinsically aligned with the contemporary educational and cultural mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. In articulating the history of service inherent in the Barony, the House seeks to provide a foundation for understanding the civic virtues that underpin a cohesive and principled society. The publication of this research is, in itself, an act of cultural philanthropy: the donation of knowledge to the public record.
This commitment to education is expressed in a practical form through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The curriculum, which instructs in matters of diplomatic protocol, precedence, and cross-cultural communication, is predicated on the belief that such social accomplishments are the practical application of core virtues such as honour, duty, and respect—the very principles exemplified by figures like the fourth Baron.
The House’s wider philanthropic activities, such as its annual white-tie Winter Banquet in aid of beneficiaries like Healing the Wounded Child, are animated by this same spirit of purposeful contribution.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical publication, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The chronicle of this Barony is one of service, not merely of land. It charts a direct and unbroken line of duty to the Sovereign and the people of Lincolnshire. The example of the fourth Baron serves as a powerful reminder that responsibility is, and has always been, the abiding cornerstone of our House.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “By bringing such histories into the light, we do more than recount the past; we reaffirm the enduring relevance of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. These are not abstract ideals, but principles of conduct that guide our commitments in the present day. History provides the blueprint for principled action.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its role as a custodian of history and a proponent of its lessons for the present. The research into the fourth Baron forms the first instalment of a new series, The Brattleby Historical Monographs, which aims to chronicle and share the full story of the Barony’s contribution to the United Kingdom.
Future publications will explore, *inter alia*, the diplomatic and military career of the tenth Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and his central role in the Hundred Years' War; and the profound national and dynastic legacy of the eleventh Baron, His Royal Highness John of Gaunt. Through these sustained efforts, the House seeks to foster a deeper public appreciation for the historical continuity that links the Britain of today with its foundational past, ensuring this great inheritance remains a living tradition.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage and the active promotion of civic duty. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions cultural and educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its philanthropic focus is embodied by the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala supporting charitable endeavours such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House is committed to demonstrating that ancient titles can serve a modern purpose, fostering responsibility and honour in society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure in England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Dame Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and His Royal Highness John of Gaunt. As one of the lordships to have maintained a continuous lineage of service since the Conquest, its history is deeply intertwined with that of Lincolnshire and the Crown. The Barony's status was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette by Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby, with its seat in Lincolnshire, was granted by a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror circa AD 1066. - The Barony's modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Dame Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com