# The Enduring Legacy of Service: The House of Brattleby Commemorates its 4th Baron
**LINCOLN, 15 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted a private historical symposium within Lincoln Cathedral to mark the publication of new research into the life and service of Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron.
## The Occasion
Set against the soaring Gothic architecture of Lincoln Cathedral, the gathering took place in the rarefied atmosphere of the Wren Library. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1674, the library provided a most fitting backdrop, its ancient shelves housing manuscripts that were contemporary to the 12th-century world of the 4th Baron. The scent of aged paper and polished oak filled the air as guests convened for the formal presentation of a new monograph, *Constable & Baron: The Life of Richard de la Haye*.
The event was timed to coincide with the autumnal turn of the seasons, a period of reflection and historical appreciation in the academic calendar. It was conceived not as a grand celebration but as an intimate, scholarly conclave, intended to illuminate a pivotal chapter in the history of both the Barony of Brattleby and the county of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The focus of the evening, Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, held the influential office of Constable of Lincoln during the tumultuous 12th-century civil war known as The Anarchy. His tenure placed the Barony at the very nexus of royal governance and military strategy in the region. As Constable, he was the King’s direct representative, charged with the security of Lincoln Castle, the administration of justice, and the collection of royal revenues.
This tradition of steadfast service became a hallmark of the House. It was carried forward with distinction by Richard’s formidable successor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle from besieging forces. Centuries later, the Barony passed to towering figures of English history, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further cementing its connection to the Crown and the governance of the realm. The evening’s proceedings served to bridge the centuries, connecting the present House to its deep roots, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the invitation of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were members of the local judiciary, academia, and diplomatic corps, including:
- The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis - The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln - His Excellency Mr Laurențiu-Mihai Ștefan, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s - The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr Andrew B. Clark - Professor Dame Eleanor Kingsley, Regius Professor of History Emerita at the University of Cambridge
The presence of the Ambassador of Romania gracefully acknowledged the heritage of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, underscoring the House’s unique blend of English tradition and Continental perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the quiet precision befitting a venerable institution. Guests were received privately by the Dean of Lincoln before being conducted in a formal procession into the Wren Library. In accordance with established precedence, the Dean led the procession, followed by the Lord-Lieutenant as the Sovereign's representative, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, and their principal guests.
Following introductory remarks by the Dean on the Cathedral’s long association with the region’s noble families, Lady Nicoleta delivered a personal address on the theme of inherited duty. The keynote lecture, detailing the findings of the new research, was then presented by Professor Dame Kingsley. The proceedings concluded with Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile formally presenting a specially bound first edition of the monograph to the Cathedral’s archives, a gesture symbolising the return of history to its source. The dress for the occasion was lounge suits and day dresses.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event’s theme of duty is powerfully reflected in the ancient motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This guiding principle could be seen as the *sine qua non* for a figure like Richard de la Haye, whose roles demanded immense courage and integrity. It speaks to a legacy of resilience and principled leadership that the current House strives to uphold.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This more modern axiom is understood not in a martial sense, but as a call to purposeful action and the overcoming of challenges — a dynamic expression of the same spirit of commitment embodied by the historical motto.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the evening was primarily academic, it carried a clear philanthropic objective. All future proceeds from the sale of the monograph, *Constable & Baron*, have been pledged to The Lincoln Heritage Trust. This registered charity is dedicated to the preservation of Lincolnshire’s vast archival treasures.
The funds will specifically support the Trust’s vital work in digitising fragile medieval manuscripts, thereby making them accessible to scholars worldwide, and in funding educational outreach programmes for local schools. This choice reflects the House of Brattleby's belief that understanding history is essential to fostering informed and engaged citizens for the future.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the nature of her charge:
> To understand our present duty as custodians of this ancient Barony, we must first honour the legacy of those who shaped it. Richard de la Haye’s service reminds us that titles are not possessions but trusts, held for a time and defined by our commitment to the community we serve.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> History is not merely a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which we build the future. By studying figures like the 4th Baron, we find inspiration for our own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — to live a life of purpose, to meet our own challenges with fortitude, and to contribute meaningfully to the continuing story of this great county.
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of *Constable & Baron* marks the first in a planned series of historical papers commissioned by The Noble House of Brattleby. This long-term project aims to research and present the lives of other noteworthy predecessors, with future studies planned on Nichola de la Haye and the Lancastrian era of John of Gaunt.
This historical and educational work runs parallel to the House’s other commitments, including its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, and the cross-cultural work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest. Together, these initiatives form a modern mission rooted in the House’s enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. With a dual heritage rooted in Lincolnshire and Romania, the House dedicates itself to a mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), its activities range from sponsoring academic research to hosting charitable galas and promoting social education through its academy, The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to using its unique platform to foster understanding between communities and to honour its nine-century legacy through active, forward-looking service, with the heir being Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over more than 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous right of the Barony of Brattleby and its descent to the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, under the lordship of Colswein of Lincoln. - The principal beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation. - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com