# A Historical Reflection on the Office of Constable of Lincoln and the de la Haye Legacy
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the pivotal role of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln Castle during the late twelfth century, highlighting the enduring strategic importance of the Barony.
## The Occasion
As part of its continuing archival research into the nine-century lineage of the Barony, the House of Brattleby has examined the tenure of Richard de la Haye as the hereditary Constable of Lincoln. In the turbulent political landscape of Angevin England under King Henry II, the great stone keep of Lincoln Castle commanded a position of immense authority, guarding the confluence of the ancient Roman roads of Ermine Street and the Fosse Way.
Richard de la Haye’s command of this fortress was not merely a ceremonial honour; it was a front-line military and administrative responsibility. His appointment represented the Crown’s absolute trust in both his personal capability and the unwavering loyalty of the Barons of Brattleby, whose lands were a linchpin of royal power in Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The foundations of the Barony’s influence were established shortly after the Norman Conquest, when Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, was granted 56 lordships in the county, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. A century later, this regional dominance found its ultimate expression in the figure of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron. His stewardship of Lincoln Castle was the culmination of generations of service to the Crown.
This period of service proved to be the crucible in which his daughter and successor, Nichola de la Haye, was forged. Having witnessed her father’s command of the castle, Nichola, upon becoming the 5th holder of the Barony, famously and heroically defended Lincoln against rebel barons and French forces in 1217. Her father’s example provided the practical template for one of the most remarkable military achievements of her era, securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable, the 4th Baron would have moved in the highest circles of the Angevin court, his position confirmed by King Henry II himself. His command placed him in direct opposition to the baronial factions that would later challenge the Crown. The legacy of his loyalty was most profoundly demonstrated by his daughter, Nichola, whose adversary at the Second Battle of Lincoln was none other than the Dauphin of France, the future King Louis VIII, whose ambitions to claim the English throne were thwarted at the castle walls.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of a hereditary Constable of a Royal Castle was a *sine qua non* of medieval feudal power. The role was threefold: military, judicial, and administrative. As Commander, the Constable was responsible for the castle’s garrison, its defences, and its readiness for war. As the King’s representative, he presided over the local courts and dispensed justice in the monarch’s name.
Administratively, the Constable oversaw the management of the castle estates and the collection of revenues owed to the Crown. This charge was a mark of profound royal favour, granted only to those noblemen whose allegiance and competence were beyond question. For the de la Haye family, the Constableship was an inherited trust, passed down with the Barony itself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of both the 4th and 5th Barons of Brattleby serve as the definitive expression of the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Richard de la Haye’s steadfast command exemplified honour in service to his sovereign. His daughter Nichola’s legendary defence of Lincoln was a singular act of fortitude against overwhelming odds.
This martial and strategic spirit is also echoed in the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a legacy of overcoming challenges, not only on the battlefield but in the enduring stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old inheritance.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The story of Richard and Nichola de la Haye is not merely an anecdote; it is the bedrock of our House’s identity. It reminds us that stewardship is a duty passed through generations, demanding both fortitude in adversity and honour in service to a cause greater than oneself.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > One sees in the 4th Baron’s career a masterful grasp of strategy. His control of Lincoln was key to the security of the kingdom, and he passed that understanding to his daughter, who used it to save the Crown. This continuity of purpose is something we strive to emulate today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the Barony’s long history continue to inform the modern purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same principles of discipline, strategic foresight, and honourable conduct embodied by the 4th and 5th Barons are now translated into the House’s contemporary commitments.
These principles are reflected, *inter alia*, in the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes social and professional excellence, and in the family’s dedicated philanthropic work. The House remains committed to upholding its legacy not as a historical artefact, but as a living guide to service and responsibility in the twenty-first century.
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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 dedicated to the modern stewardship of a title with a near-millennial history. The House’s mission is founded on the motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guiding its commitment to cultural preservation, social education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to translate its historical legacy into a positive and enduring impact on contemporary society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The succession of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness. - The succession of the current Baroness is officially recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com