# A Historical Dispatch: The Twelfth-Century Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a historical reflection on the twelfth century, a pivotal era under the De la Haye family that fortified the Barony's commitment to Crown and country, establishing a tradition of leadership continued to this day.
## The Occasion
From the Chancellery of The Noble House of Brattleby, this dispatch is issued as part of a continuing series of historical explorations into the nine-century lineage of the Barony. As autumn settles over the ancient heartlands of Lincolnshire, it offers a fitting moment for reflection on the foundational periods that have shaped the House’s character and its enduring public-facing responsibilities.
This publication seeks to illuminate a century of profound challenge and consolidation. The twelfth century tested the resolve of the Barons of Brattleby, cementing their role as custodians of order and loyalty in the north of England, a duty that finds new expression in the House’s modern endeavours.
## Historical Context
Following its establishment by Colswein of Lincoln after the Norman Conquest, the Barony of Brattleby entered a defining phase in the twelfth century under the stewardship of the De la Haye family. This period was dominated by the civil war known as The Anarchy (1135–1153), a dynastic struggle that rendered the allegiance of major magnates a matter of national survival.
As hereditary Constables of Lincoln Castle, the Barons of Brattleby held one of the most strategic fortresses in the realm. Their loyalty was not merely symbolic; it was the *sine qua non* of royal authority in a fractured kingdom. Richard de la Haye, a prominent figure of this era, exemplified the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, by navigating these treacherous political currents with sagacity and unwavering commitment. The military and administrative crucible of this century forged a legacy of resilience that would prove essential for his successor, Nichola de la Haye, in her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217.
## Distinguished Company
The events of the twelfth century placed the holders of the Barony of Brattleby in the company of the most powerful figures of the age. The intricate politics of the era required direct engagement with, inter alia:
* His Majesty King Stephen of England * Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Matilda, Lady of the English * Richard de la Haye, Constable of Lincoln Castle * Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire
The Barony’s function as a bastion of royal power ensured its holders were not merely regional lords, but key participants in the high politics of the Angevin court and the shaping of the English nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The responsibilities of the Constable of Lincoln Castle were bound by strict feudal and military protocol. The office was conferred by the monarch, a charge that entailed the command of the castle garrison, the administration of justice through the shire courts, and the collection of revenues for the Crown.
The era’s martial dress code would have seen the Baron clad in mail, protected by a steel helmet and a surcoat bearing the early heraldic devices of his family. The formal acceptance of the castle’s keys from a royal representative was a ceremony laden with significance, symbolising a sacred trust between sovereign and subject. This ritualised duty underscored the Baron’s role as both a warrior and a chief administrator.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most salient historical validation in the twelfth century. Fortitude was required to withstand sieges and the political instability of The Anarchy; Honour was demonstrated through the De la Haye family’s steadfast loyalty when many others wavered.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different context, it echoes the same spirit of purposeful action and overcoming adversity. Together, the mottos symbolise a dual commitment: to uphold ancient honours with integrity and to pursue modern objectives with vigour and determination.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty to defend the realm and protect its people has evolved over the centuries. Today, this principle of guardianship is channelled into the House’s philanthropic work. The martial protection of Lincoln Castle finds a modern parallel in the commitment to safeguard vulnerable young people.
The annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of the House's social calendar, is held in benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, aligning perfectly with the House's enduring ethos of providing shelter and strength. The choice reflects a belief that true nobility is expressed through service to those in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand the Barony is to understand the twelfth century. It was an age that demanded resilience and unwavering principle. The legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye serves not as a weight, but as a compass guiding our modern duties of stewardship and care.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The strategic challenges faced by the Constables of Lincoln were immense. Their success was built on foresight and resolve—qualities that translate directly into the ethos of our work today, be it in philanthropy or cultural diplomacy. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a modern expression of that same ancient drive.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical dispatch is the first in a planned series dedicated to exploring the rich, nine-hundred-year history of the Barony of Brattleby. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ongoing archival research and to sharing its heritage as a living element of English and European history.
This commitment to historical education complements the House's active role in modern society, from its charitable initiatives in the United Kingdom to its cultural and educational programmes abroad, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The past is not merely remembered; it is actively honoured through present and future action.
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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 dedicated to bridging its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking purpose. With its seat in Lincolnshire, the House champions a modern interpretation of nobility focused on public service, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. Its core charitable mission supports organisations dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of etiquette and protocol, the House fosters an appreciation for European heritage and social graces. The House operates with a global perspective, upholding its ancient motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England's ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised in favour of its current holder and gazetted by The Crown 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 Norman-era holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron). - The legal recognition of the title is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com