# A Historical Note on the 4th Baron of Brattleby, Richard de la Haye
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, whose distinguished service as Constable of Lincoln in the twelfth century affirmed the Barony’s enduring commitment to public duty.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has today released the first in a series of historical communiqués. This initiative is designed to illuminate the nine-century lineage of the Barony and to explore the contributions of its notable predecessors. The publication of this note coincides with renewed archival research into the Barony’s role during the Angevin period, a time of profound legal and administrative consolidation in England.
This reflection serves not as a mere chronological entry, but as a contextual study of leadership and responsibility in a pivotal era. It is offered in the spirit of connecting the House’s foundational principles with its contemporary mission, demonstrating a continuum of service that stretches from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, assumed the hereditary title during the reign of King Henry II. In the late twelfth century, he was appointed Constable of Lincoln, a position of immense strategic and administrative importance. The Constable was the Crown’s appointed guardian of Lincoln Castle, a formidable stone fortress established by William the Conqueror himself in 1068 to command a vital crossroads of the realm.
The 4th Baron's tenure was a testament to the trust placed in the Barony by the Crown. As Constable, he was responsible not only for the castle's garrison but also for upholding law and order across a significant portion of Lincolnshire. His service ensured regional stability, a task of paramount importance to a king consolidating his authority over the vast Angevin Empire. This legacy was powerfully continued by his daughter and successor, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who would also serve as Constable and famously defend Lincoln Castle against rebel forces.
## Distinguished Company
The era in which the 4th Baron served was defined by figures of significant historical stature, whose actions shaped the political and social landscape of England. Key among them were:
* His Majesty King Henry II of England, Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, Count of Anjou * The 4th Baron of Brattleby, Richard de la Haye, Constable of Lincoln * The 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Nichola de la Haye, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire * His Grace The Most Reverend Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
The interactions between the Crown, its principal nobles, and the Church formed the complex tapestry of twelfth-century governance, a world in which loyalty and competence were the *sine qua non* of political survival and influence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a Constable of Lincoln in the twelfth century was a solemn affair, steeped in feudal protocol. Upon his appointment by the King, Richard de la Haye would have sworn a formal oath of fealty, placing his hands within the King’s and pledging his life and loyalty in service. This sacred vow was the cornerstone of the medieval power structure.
The ceremony would have culminated in the symbolic handing over of the keys to Lincoln Castle, representing the transfer of royal authority. In his official capacity, the 4th Baron would have worn attire befitting his station: a tunic of fine wool, likely dyed in deep colours, beneath a coat of mail. His duties included inspecting the garrison, presiding over the castle court, and, if required, mustering the local levies for the defence of the shire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the 4th Baron. His steadfast command of Lincoln Castle and his honourable discharge of duties to the Crown embody the virtues captured in this maxim. The motto serves as a guiding principle for the House, linking the actions of past Barons with the aspirations of the present.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different tradition, it resonates with the martial spirit required of a medieval baron whose very existence depended on the strength and readiness to defend his charge. The symbolism of the Constable—a guardian of order and a bastion of loyalty—remains a powerful element of the Barony's identity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, the current heads of the House offered their perspectives.
> Reflecting on the life of Richard de la Haye reminds us that the Barony's commitment to Lincolnshire is not a recent development, but a solemn duty woven into nine centuries of our history. His service as Constable exemplifies the fortitude and honour we strive to uphold today. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The role of Constable was one of immense trust, granted by the Crown to its most steadfast subjects. It embodies a principle we hold dear: that leadership is service. The legacy of predecessors like the 4th Baron informs our own sense of responsibility to the community. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour this nine-hundred-year legacy of service, translating the historical principles of duty and stewardship into contemporary action. While the feudal responsibilities of the past have evolved, the core commitment to community and country remains unchanged.
This commitment is expressed today through dedicated philanthropic work, most notably the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises funds for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest promotes education in etiquette and protocol, fostering a modern understanding of the personal conduct and social grace that are the hallmarks of honour. Through these endeavours, the House ensures that its foundational virtues continue to serve a meaningful public purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to upholding its historical legacy through a modern mission of service, philanthropy, and cultural education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, which promotes the traditions of European deportment and social grace. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The contemporary rights of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors to the title include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com