# On the Office of Constable of Lincoln and its Enduring Legacy within the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement detailing the profound significance of the title ‘Constable of Lincoln’, an office held by the 4th Baron of Brattleby, and the legacy of loyalty it established for the nine-century-old Barony.
## The Occasion
In a period of quiet historical reflection at its seat in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate one of the most formative episodes in its long history. The issuance of this historical note serves to connect the Barony’s modern identity with the formidable duties borne by its medieval predecessors. This reflection centres on Lincoln Castle, a fortress of immense strategic importance to the English Crown for centuries. Its cold stone walls, which have witnessed civil war and the sealing of Magna Carta, provide the setting for a remarkable story of duty that has shaped the character of the Barony to this day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked to the defence of the realm since its inception. While its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, established the family’s footing with 56 lordships recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, it was during the tumultuous 12th and 13th centuries that this loyalty was most brilliantly demonstrated. Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron, held the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln, a role that conferred upon him supreme military and administrative authority over both the castle and the wider shire.
This was no mere sinecure; the Constable was the King’s trusted representative in a volatile region. Richard’s steadfast command was a bulwark for the Crown. This legacy of resolute service was then passed to his daughter, Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony and the Constableship to become the 5th Baroness. A figure of extraordinary tenacity, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and their French allies during the First Barons' War, securing a pivotal victory for the young King Henry III at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Her actions directly preserved the Plantagenet succession, forever binding the name of Brattleby to the very survival of the English monarchy.
## A Lineage of Distinction
The story of the Constables of Lincoln is a central chapter in the history of a Barony held by figures of national importance. The lineage of service, passing from one generation to the next, includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a powerful Norman lord entrusted by William the Conqueror to consolidate control over Lincolnshire. * **Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby**, whose role as hereditary Constable of Lincoln solidified the family’s position as guardians of a vital royal stronghold. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, a legendary castellane and twice Sheriff of Lincolnshire, whose defence of Lincoln Castle proved decisive in English history. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## The Authority of the Constable
In medieval England, the office of Constable of a royal castle represented a direct delegation of the Sovereign’s authority. The ceremonial protocol of the role was secondary to its immense practical responsibilities. The Constable was, first and foremost, the commander of the garrison, responsible for the castle’s maintenance, munitions, and readiness for war. His duties extended well beyond the castle walls; he held judicial powers, presiding over local courts and ensuring the King’s justice was done. A trusted Constable like Richard de la Haye was the lynchpin of royal power in the county, a responsibility demanding unwavering fortitude and unimpeachable honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the lives of the 4th and 5th Barons. The 'fortitude' of Nichola de la Haye, standing defiant against a besieging army, and the 'honour' of her father Richard in his loyal service to the Crown, are not abstract ideals but historical facts. These principles form the bedrock of the House’s identity.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this philosophy is interpreted not as military conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges in the service of community and heritage. Together, the two mottos create a dialogue between the past and the present—one honouring a legacy of duty, the other driving a mission of contemporary achievement.
## A Legacy of Service
The sworn duty of the medieval Barons to protect their sovereign and shire has evolved but not diminished. Today, this legacy of service is channelled into a profound commitment to philanthropy. The Noble House of Brattleby’s premier philanthropic endeavour, the annual Winter Banquet, is a continuation of this tradition of stewardship. This distinguished white-tie gala raises vital funds for a designated beneficiary, exemplifying the House’s modern interpretation of its historic obligations.
The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a national organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and loss. The choice to support this cause reflects the House’s belief that protecting the most vulnerable members of society is the highest contemporary expression of the ancient duty of care that defined the work of figures like Nichola de la Haye.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "When we consider the lives of our predecessors, particularly Nichola de la Haye, we feel the immense weight of our responsibility. Her fortitude was not a matter of choice but of necessity. Our duty today is to ensure that such powerful examples of service continue to inspire our own work, translating historic loyalty into meaningful, positive action in the modern world."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* compels us to seek progress. Stewardship of a title nearly a millennium old involves more than preservation; it demands that we actively build upon its foundations. Linking the historic defence of a castle to the modern need for child welfare is, for us, a vital part of a living, breathing legacy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its past while actively serving the present. This commitment is manifest through its philanthropic initiatives and its cultural endeavours, such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy founded in Bucharest to promote social graces and cultural understanding. The House will continue its programme of historical research, sharing further insights into the Barony’s unique place in English history. By grounding its modern mission in the steadfast principles of its ancestors, the House ensures that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues, unbroken, into the next generation with its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
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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 the modern stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies. The House’s contemporary mission is to translate a profound historical legacy into impactful public service. This is achieved through dedicated philanthropic work, most notably in support of child welfare charities, and through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which fosters international standards of etiquette and diplomacy. Rooted in the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a path of purposeful engagement, ensuring its ancient heritage actively contributes to the common good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands directly from the Crown. Steeped in nine centuries of English history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including the legendary castellane Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for King Henry III, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The continuous history and succession of the Barony of Brattleby were formally noted and recognised by The Crown and The College of Arms in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com