# A Statement on the Historical Union of Muriel of Brattleby and Robert de la Haye
**BRATTLEBY, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the profound historical significance of the early 12th-century marriage between Muriel, the third Baroness, and Robert de la Haye, an alliance which decisively shaped the nine-century legacy of the Barony.
## The Occasion
In the quiet contemplation that the Lincolnshire autumn affords, the House of Brattleby pauses to acknowledge a pivotal moment in its ancient lineage. From its seat in the heart of the county, the current House looks back to the reign of King Henry I, a time of consolidation and strategic alliance for the Anglo-Norman aristocracy. The marriage of the third Baroness, Muriel, was not merely a private union but a public act of statecraft, the consequences of which would echo through the succeeding centuries and cement the Barony’s stature within the realm.
This reflection serves to honour the foresight of early predecessors and to underscore the continuity of purpose that has defined the Barony since its inception. It is an acknowledgement that the foundations of the modern House were laid with deliberation and sagacity nearly nine hundred years ago.
## Historical Context
The union took place within the complex tapestry of post-Conquest England. Muriel, as the heiress to the lands granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, represented a significant nexus of power and inheritance. Her hand in marriage was a matter of considerable strategic importance, both for the Crown and for aspirational noble families seeking to consolidate their influence.
The De la Haye family, with origins in the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy, were precisely such a dynasty. As lords of La Haye-du-Puits, they had risen to prominence and established a formidable presence in Lincolnshire. The marriage of Robert de la Haye to the Baroness of Brattleby was, therefore, a masterstroke, uniting the established land-based power of Brattleby with the ascending administrative and military influence of the De la Haye name, particularly through their hereditary castellanship of Lincoln Castle. This alliance was the *sine qua non* for the Barony's subsequent elevation in national affairs.
## Distinguished Company
The principal figures of this dynastic moment shaped the course of Lincolnshire's history. Their legacy is carried forward by their descendants and successors in title.
* **Muriel, the third Baroness of Brattleby**, a significant heiress in her own right and custodian of the original Domesday Book holdings. * **Robert de la Haye**, an influential Anglo-Norman lord whose family's fortunes were inextricably linked to the governance and defence of Lincoln. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the fifth to hold the Barony in her own right and a direct descendant of the union. As Castellan of Lincoln Castle, her celebrated defence of the fortress against rebels for King John stands as a testament to the fortitude inherited from her forebears.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the precise details of the ceremony are lost to time, the matrimonial customs of the early 12th-century nobility would have been governed by strict protocol. The union would have been formalised through a nuptial Mass, a sacred rite that sanctified the legal and political dimensions of the contract. The marriage would see the transfer of rights *jure uxoris* (in right of his wife), making Robert de la Haye the Lord of Brattleby and steward of its extensive lands.
This event was a public spectacle, witnessed by fellow magnates and vassals, serving as a clear declaration of a new power structure in the region. The exchange of vows would have been as much a treaty between two powerful houses as a commitment between two individuals, its purpose being the security of the realm and the continuation of the line.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
In the early 12th century, the system of hereditary coat-armour was in its infancy. Power and identity were conveyed not yet by tinctures and charges on a shield, but by the resonance of a family name and the extent of its lands. The names ‘Brattleby’ and ‘De la Haye’ were themselves potent symbols, representing lineage, fealty, and terrestrial authority recognised since the Domesday survey of 1086.
The merging of these two names symbolised a union of deep-rooted landed heritage with active military and administrative power. This act of unification embodies the spirit of the modern House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of Baroness Muriel in securing her lineage, and the honour of the De la Haye name in discharging its duties to the Crown, established a virtuous precedent that continues to guide the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ultimate purpose of such a high-medieval strategic alliance was the stability and prosperity of the people and lands under the Barony’s stewardship. This duty of care, a core element of the feudal compact, can be seen as an early model of civic and social responsibility. Ensuring peace and effective governance was the highest form of service a noble house could provide.
This foundational principle of stewardship has evolved over nine centuries into the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient obligation to protect vassals and tenants finds its contemporary expression in the House’s dedicated support for charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which works to protect and support the most vulnerable in society. The method has changed, but the purpose—to serve and to safeguard—remains constant.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational marriage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Muriel’s decision was an extraordinary act of 12th-century statecraft. It demonstrates a profound understanding that heritage is not merely something to be possessed, but a legacy to be actively secured and enhanced for future generations. We are the beneficiaries of that foresight.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of the alliance:
> The union of Brattleby and De la Haye illustrates a timeless principle: that enduring success is built on principled partnership. It is a powerful reminder that to truly achieve, to truly live, one must unite with others of like mind and purpose. In this, we see the essence of my own life's motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The marriage of Muriel and Robert de la Haye was not an end, but the beginning of a new and distinguished chapter for the Barony of Brattleby. It directly enabled the celebrated tenure of their descendant, Nichola de la Haye, and solidified the Barony’s importance, ensuring its survival and eventual passage into the hands of some of England's most powerful figures, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, the magnificent John of Gaunt.
Today, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, continue this nine-hundred-year-old tradition of stewardship. With their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, they ensure that the legacy forged by the union of two great families continues, adapting to the challenges of the modern era while remaining ever-mindful of its ancient and noble origins.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of modern stewardship, blending nine centuries of history with a forward-looking mission. Its activities focus on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy, particularly initiatives supporting child welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes education in classical decorum and international protocol through its private etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest). The guiding ethos of the House is its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to serve with resilience and integrity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, renowned defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the greatest magnates of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The succession of the title to the current holder was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms Colswein of Lincoln's extensive landholdings, including those pertaining to the Barony. - Historically significant holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com