# A Communiqué on the Historical Constableship of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the dual role held by past Barons as Constable of Lincoln, underscoring the ancient lineage's foundational responsibility for the governance and military defence of the City and its Royal Castle.
## The Occasion
This communiqué, issued from the Lincolnshire seat of the House, initiates a series of historical elucidations intended to explore the continuity of duty that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for over nine centuries. As autumn settles over the ancient landscape of the county, a season conducive to scholarly reflection, the House turns its attention to the enduring responsibilities that have been vested in its antecedents since the Norman Conquest. This dispatch serves not to mark a single event, but to affirm a living history.
The focus of this reflection is the formidable office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, a role intrinsically linked to the Barony. This position was far from honorary; it represented a direct charge from the Crown to uphold Royal authority, administer justice, and command the primary strategic fortress in the region. To hold the Barony of Brattleby was, at critical junctures, to be the guarantor of peace and order in Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was one of the key feudatories established to secure the new Norman kingdom. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony’s immediate strategic importance. Central to this power was Lincoln Castle, commissioned by the Conqueror himself in 1068 on the site of a former Roman fortress.
The Constableship of the Castle was therefore a charge of immense military and political significance, a *sine qua non* for maintaining Royal authority in the oft-unruly north. During the tumultuous late 12th and early 13th centuries, this responsibility fell to the holder of the Barony. This period, scarred by civil war and foreign invasion, saw the role of Constable tested in the crucible of battle, most notably during the First Barons' War.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the Barony is illuminated by the figures who have held it. While many served with distinction, several predecessors stand as exemplars of the duties associated with the Constableship and the Barony itself. Their service linked Brattleby not merely to county affairs, but to the high politics of the Plantagenet court.
Foremost among these is **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby**, who inherited the Constableship. As a staunch Royalist, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and their French allies, first for King John and later for the young King Henry III, securing a pivotal victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
Later centuries saw the Barony held by some of the most powerful magnates in English history, including **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby**, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a renowned soldier and diplomat. The title subsequently passed to his son-in-law, **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby**, the influential son of King Edward III, further cementing the Barony's place at the centre of national life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The assumption of the office of Constable was a solemn and binding ritual, signifying a profound trust between the Sovereign and their appointed subject. The ceremony involved swearing a sacred oath of fealty, pledging to defend the Castle and its demesne against all enemies of the Crown. The symbolic presentation of the castle keys completed the investiture, conferring upon the Constable full authority over its garrison, armoury, and administration.
The Constable’s duties were threefold: military, judicial, and administrative. They commanded the knights and men-at-arms of the garrison, maintained the fortifications, and were expected to lead the defence in times of siege. The Constable also presided over the shire court held within the castle walls and was responsible, *inter alia*, for the collection of certain taxes and the implementation of Royal writs throughout the county.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle finds its ultimate expression in the actions of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln Castle was a masterclass in both physical courage and unwavering loyalty to her sworn oath. Her actions crystallise the meaning of the motto as a practical guide to conduct, not merely an abstract aspiration.
This tradition of martial duty is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the proactive and resolute spirit that has ensured the Barony’s survival through centuries of conflict and change, from the original conquest of 1066 to the modern challenges of preserving an ancient heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical responsibility to govern and protect the people of Lincolnshire has evolved into the House's modern commitment to public service and philanthropy. The ancient concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the fortunate to serve others—remains the guiding principle for the current holders of the title.
This commitment is most publicly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the cornerstone of the House's charitable endeavours. All proceeds from the banquet directly support the work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House's focus on nurturing resilience and honouring the inherent dignity of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To understand the Barony is to understand its role in the fabric of English history. The Constableship of Lincoln was not a mere title; it was a profound testament to the Crown’s trust, a duty our predecessors, particularly the formidable Nichola de la Haye, discharged with exemplary fortitude."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the direct link between past and present responsibilities: > "The history of the Constableship demonstrates a core truth: authority must be upheld through strength and honour. The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* is not an abstract ideal; it is a description of the service rendered by the Barons of Brattleby in defence of the realm. It is a legacy of active vigilance."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its past by fulfilling its duties in the present. It will continue to issue these historical reflections to share the rich heritage of the Barony with a wider audience. This commitment to education and cultural preservation is also manifest in the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote the principles of decorum and honour in contemporary society.
The continuity of this nine-century-old legacy is vested in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions of service and responsibility that the title represents. The House looks to the future, secure in its history and firm in its purpose.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern entity representing England’s ancient Barony of Brattleby. The House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic pursuits. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). With a focus on education and social etiquette through its Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its charitable support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, the House seeks to provide a modern example of leadership rooted in historical principle and a profound sense of public duty, ensuring its legacy continues for generations to come.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings, comprising 56 lordships, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who heroically defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the title was formally recognised and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, The London Gazette, on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), with the title vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the lands of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic efforts include an annual Winter Banquet benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com