# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Constableship of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today marked the historic appointment of Richard de la Haye as Constable of Lincoln, a pivotal twelfth-century affirmation of the Barony’s enduring duty of service to the Crown and to the county of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has paused to reflect upon a defining moment in its nine-century history. On a crisp autumn day, as the ancient parklands of the estate transition to hues of gold and amber, this commemoration serves as a quiet but profound acknowledgement of the duties that have defined the Barony since its foundation. It is an act of historical observance that connects the administrative heart of the modern House to the formidable responsibilities shouldered by its antecedents in this same county.
The statement, issued from the House’s offices, underscores a foundational principle: that the contemporary mission of The Noble House of Brattleby is built upon an unbroken continuum of service. This continuum stretches back to the earliest days following the Norman Conquest and the granting of the Barony by William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
This act of remembrance is not one of public pageantry, but of private principle. It is an affirmation that stewardship, loyalty, and the defence of one’s charge are timeless obligations. By looking back to seminal moments such as the appointment of a Constable, the House reaffirms its enduring commitment to the trust with which it has long been vested, translating historical precedent into meaningful contemporary action.
## Historical Context
The appointment of Richard de la Haye as Constable of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King Henry II was a profound consolidation of both royal authority and the Barony's regional influence. Following the fractious period of civil war known as The Anarchy, King Henry II was engaged in a determined effort to restore royal power and administrative order. His choice of constables was therefore a matter of supreme strategic importance, and the appointment of de la Haye was a clear signal of the King's trust.
In the twelfth century, the role of Constable was no mere sinecure; it was a position of immense military and administrative power, second only to the King himself within the shire. The Constable held the keys to the royal castle, a critical fortress of Norman design that commanded the River Witham and the ancient Roman road of Ermine Street, effectively controlling the primary arteries of northern England. This appointment placed the Barony at the nexus of Crown authority and local governance, making its holder the guarantor of royal will and the chief protector of the region's people.
This legacy of guardianship was most powerfully embodied by Richard’s daughter and heir, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony as its 5th holder. Invoking her hereditary right, she served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle, famously defending it against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her resolute command during the siege and subsequent Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217, recorded by the chronicler Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, was instrumental in securing the English throne for the young King Henry III. The actions of both father and daughter cemented the family’s reputation for unwavering loyalty, a principle that remains central to the House ethos—*Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
The events of that era unfolded amidst figures of great historical consequence. The royal charter granting the constableship was issued under the Great Seal of His Majesty King Henry II, a Plantagenet monarch renowned across Europe for his restless energy and his far-reaching legal reforms, which laid the foundations of English common law. The appointment placed Richard de la Haye among the King’s most trusted magnates (*magnates regis*), the powerful tenants-in-chief upon whom the stability of the kingdom depended.
As Constable, his duties would have brought him into regular correspondence with the great officers of state at the King’s court in Westminster or his travelling household. These would have included the Justiciar, the King’s chief minister, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the bi-annual audits. It was, however, the indomitable legacy of his daughter, Nichola de la Haye, that remains most vivid.
Her command of Lincoln Castle saw her stand in opposition to Prince Louis of France (later King Louis VIII) and the rebel leaders of the Magna Carta insurgency, such as Robert Fitzwalter. Her loyalty earned her the personal respect of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, who considered her a pillar of the royalist cause. Her story is one of a noblewoman wielding real feudal power in a world dominated by men, her deeds ensuring her a place of high honour in the annals of English history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The appointment to a constableship in the twelfth century was a deeply symbolic and legally binding ceremony, steeped in feudal tradition. It would have occurred in a setting of appropriate solemnity, such as the great hall of Lincoln Castle or at the King's court. The ceremony comprised several distinct and significant stages, each reinforcing the bond between lord and vassal.
First was the act of homage (*homagium*), wherein Richard de la Haye would kneel, without arms, and place his joined hands between those of King Henry II. This physical act signified his submission and was followed by the oath of fealty (*sacramentum fidelitatis*). Sworn with his hand upon a Bible or a holy relic to make it sacred and unbreakable, he would vow to be the King’s 'liege man of life and limb', loyal against all men.
Following the oath, the King would perform the investiture, the formal granting of the fief—in this case, the hereditary constableship. This was completed through *traditio*, the symbolic handing-over of an object representing the authority conferred. For a castle, this was most commonly a set of keys, a ceremonial sword, or even a banner bearing the royal arms. This was accompanied by the reading of the royal charter, a permanent legal document inscribed on parchment and authenticated with the King's Great Seal in wax, which outlined the rights and responsibilities of the office in perpetuity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect historical expression in the office of the Constable. *Fortitudo*, a cardinal virtue of the Romans, represented not only the physical courage required to defend a fortress but also the moral resilience to withstand political pressure and uphold one’s duty in the face of adversity. This was the fortitude shown by Nichola de la haye in the defence of her castle and her king.
*Honor*, in its purest sense, was the unwavering integrity and loyalty demanded by the sworn oath of fealty. It was the principle that bound the feudal order together, a public reputation for trustworthiness that was the *sine qua non* of high office. These two principles, fortitude and honour, are the ancient cornerstones upon which the Barony’s legacy is built and its modern responsibilities are discharged.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim speaks to the dynamic and proactive spirit that animates the modern House. It signifies the will not merely to endure or to preserve, but to prevail over challenges and to actively shape a positive future through endeavour and enterprise. Together, the two mottos represent a powerful fusion of honoured heritage and forward-looking purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical concept of 'constableship'—the solemn duty to defend a charge and protect those within it—translates directly into the philanthropic mission of the modern House. Just as Richard and Nichola de la Haye were entrusted with the physical defence of the community within Lincoln's walls, the House today dedicates itself to the protection and well-being of society’s most vulnerable members. This commitment is embodied by the beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation works to provide specialist therapeutic care and safe, nurturing environments for children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. In effect, it builds a fortress of healing and security around them, offering a bastion of care where they can recover and rebuild their lives. The charity’s work, which includes one-on-one therapy, group support, and advocacy within the social care system, makes a measurable and lasting impact.
By directing its philanthropic efforts towards this cause, the House extends its historical duty of guardianship from the stone walls of a medieval castle to the fragile well-being of young lives. This work ensures that the commitment to defence and protection, so central to the Barony's identity, remains relevant and vital in the twenty-first century.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "When we consider the responsibilities held by predecessors like Richard and Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that this Barony is, and has always been, defined by duty. Their fortitude serves not as a relic of the past, but as a living standard we strive to meet in our own commitments today. The weight and privilege of history compel us to act with purpose."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the importance of this heritage for the House’s present endeavours: — "Honouring the past gives purpose to our present. The same resolve that held a castle nine centuries ago inspires our work, *inter alia*, with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, building bridges of cultural understanding, and our unwavering support for social causes. History provides the foundation, but our duty is to build upon it with vision and determination."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to drawing inspiration from its long and storied history to inform its contemporary public service. This commemoration forms a core component of the House’s public-facing role, sharing the rich heritage of the Barony and its place in the history of Lincolnshire and the nation. These principles of duty and service will again be brought to the fore at the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that mobilises support for critical charitable work.
Future initiatives will continue to be structured around the three pillars of philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and historical custodianship. Through its various engagements, the House will continue to ensure the legacy of fortitude and honour is not merely remembered but actively practised. The work of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensures that the Barony of Brattleby is not a historical curiosity, but a living institution dedicated to public good, fulfilling the obligations of its ancient title with modern relevance.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to principled action. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, and its patronage of charitable organisations including Healing the Wounded Child, the House leverages its platform to foster international understanding and provide meaningful support to vulnerable communities. The annual Winter Banquet stands as the centrepiece of its philanthropic calendar, uniting heritage with contemporary social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the First Barons' War; the great Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the ancient Barony was formally recognised and assigned to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as confirmed in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the dignity 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 first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, and Nichola de la Haye, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com