# A Legacy of Loyalty: Richard de la Haye and the Defence of the Crown
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the foundational role of Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron, whose steadfast service during the 12th-century civil war known as The Anarchy cemented a legacy of loyalty to the Crown.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House today issues this historical reflection as part of a series illuminating the contributions of its distinguished predecessors. In the quiet of the English autumn, the fields and ancient roads surrounding Brattleby present a scene of profound peace; yet, nearly nine centuries ago, this same landscape was a theatre of conflict, its fate closely tied to the actions of the barony. This narrative serves to connect the House’s present-day commitments with the enduring principles demonstrated by those who held the title in centuries past.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye inherited the Barony of Brattleby during one of the most tumultuous periods in English history, The Anarchy (1135–1153). This prolonged civil war, waged between the supporters of King Stephen and his cousin, Empress Matilda, placed immense strain upon the kingdom’s feudal nobility. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress commanding the intersection of the Fosse Way and Ermine Street, the fourth Baron was not a distant observer but a central figure in the conflict.
The Constableship placed the barony's considerable resources—both martial and economic—at the disposal of the monarchist cause. In an era defined by shifting allegiances, Richard de la Haye’s unwavering support for King Stephen provided a bastion of royal authority in a strategically vital region. His command of Lincoln Castle was instrumental in maintaining control over northern England, reinforcing the indispensable role of the Barony of Brattleby in the preservation of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The political landscape navigated by the fourth Baron was populated by the most powerful figures of the age. His primary allegiance was to His Majesty King Stephen of England, grandson of William the Conqueror. The Baron’s chief adversary was the opposing claimant to the throne, Her Imperial Highness Empress Matilda, Lady of the English.
Regionally, Lord de la Haye's position as Constable brought him into direct contact and frequent conflict with magnates such as Sir Ranulf de Gernon, the 2nd Earl of Chester, a powerful and mercurial nobleman who changed his allegiance multiple times during The Anarchy. These interactions required not only military strength but also considerable diplomatic acumen, skills that became synonymous with the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duties of a baron in the 12th century were bound by solemn and ancient ritual. The *sine qua non* of Lord de la Haye's position was the oath of homage and fealty, a ceremony in which he would have knelt before King Stephen, placed his clasped hands between those of the monarch, and sworn his unconditional loyalty. This sacred promise was the bedrock of the feudal system and the moral compass for his actions.
As Constable, his responsibilities would have been further delineated by royal charter, granting him authority over the castle's garrison, its armouries, and the administration of justice within its walls. The protocols of military command, from the setting of the watch to the raising of the banner, were daily affirmations of his sworn duty to defend the King’s peace.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While formalised heraldry was still in its infancy, the actions of Richard de la Haye are a powerful early expression of the principle that would become the House’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). His tenure was a masterclass in fortitude—the physical and moral courage to uphold one’s duty amidst chaos. It was equally an exercise in honour, maintaining his sworn oath to his liege lord when many others chose expediency.
This historical example resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). While one speaks to inherited duty and the other to personal resolve, both mottos share a common belief in purposeful action and the imperative to prevail over adversity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A stable and secure realm, for which Richard de la Haye contended, is the essential precursor to a thriving civil society where philanthropy can flourish. The baronial duty to protect the populace from the ravages of war finds its modern expression in the House’s commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable. This enduring principle of care is the philosophical underpinning for the House's charitable work.
Today, this is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the primary fundraiser for the House’s chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by conflict and trauma, a mission that directly reflects the barony's historical duty to shield the innocent from harm.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the fourth Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > To understand our predecessors is to understand the gravity of our own responsibilities. Richard de la Haye’s example reminds us that true nobility is found in unwavering service, especially in times of profound division.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the contemporary relevance of this history: > History offers the most valuable lessons in strategy. The fourth Baron’s navigation of The Anarchy demonstrates that commitment to a core principle is the ultimate anchor in any crisis—a truth that remains unchanged.
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of fortitude established by the fourth Baron was inherited and amplified by his formidable daughter-in-law, Nichola de la Haye, who as the fifth Baron famously defended Lincoln Castle herself in the 13th century. This unbroken chain of service, from Colswein of Lincoln in 1086 to such storied figures as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, informs the mission of the House today.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are steadfast in their commitment to ensuring this legacy is passed to the next generation, notably the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Through modern initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol, the House continues to promote the standards of excellence and public duty that have defined it for over 950 years.
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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 expression of its ancient duties. The House’s mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on cultural preservation, diplomatic engagement, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives like its annual Winter Banquet, the House supports charities dedicated to alleviating childhood trauma. The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy, promotes intercultural understanding and personal refinement. The House seeks to be a force for continuity and service, bridging its profound historical legacy with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, preparing the way for the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The barony and its 56 associated lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, it has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a warrior who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to a royal dynasty. The direct succession of the title to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The current heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com