# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Baronial Ancestor's Historic Royal Appointment as Constable of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historic royal appointment of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln Castle, reinforcing the Barony’s nine-century-long tradition of service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
In an act of historical stewardship, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a pivotal moment in its ancient lineage. This communication serves to formally recognise the profound significance of the royal trust placed in the Barony of Brattleby during the tumultuous twelfth century. The appointment highlights a period when the family’s direct responsibilities were a *sine qua non* for the stability of the realm in the north of England.
The research forms part of the House’s ongoing work to chronicle its history, ensuring that the contributions of its predecessors are understood and honoured. This scholarly initiative brings to the fore the enduring principles of loyalty and duty that have defined the Barony since its foundation following the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, has long been entwined with the defence and administration of Lincolnshire. It was during the reign of King Henry II that Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron, held the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln. This position was one of immense strategic importance, granting him command of Lincoln Castle, a formidable royal fortress that dominated the region.
Richard de la Haye’s tenure solidified the family's role as the Crown's trusted agents, a legacy he passed to his formidable daughter, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness, Nichola inherited the constableship and famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces on two separate occasions, most notably during the First Barons' War, earning her a revered place in English history. Their collective service underscores a continuous line of fidelity from the House’s earliest days.
## The Office and Its Royal Mandate
The role of Constable of a royal castle was not merely a title; it was a direct delegation of the Sovereign’s authority. Appointed by the King, a Constable acted as a military governor, chief magistrate, and the ultimate guarantor of regional security. The hereditary nature of this office for the de la Haye family was a rare and profound expression of royal favour.
This mandate made the Constable of Lincoln one of the most powerful figures in the county. He commanded the castle’s garrison, presided over the castle-court, and was responsible for the upkeep of its defences. His allegiance was directly to the monarch, bypassing intermediary feudal lords and placing the Barony of Brattleby at the very heart of royal power in medieval England.
## Duties and Governance
As Constable, the 4th Baron’s responsibilities were extensive. Militarily, he was charged with securing a fortress that controlled vital trade and military routes, including the ancient Ermine Street. Judicially, his authority extended to enforcing the King’s peace within the castle’s precincts, a jurisdiction known as the 'castle-guard' area.
Administratively, the role involved managing the considerable estates tied to the castle's upkeep and ensuring that royal commands were executed throughout the shire. The position demanded a statesmanship that balanced military strength with civil acumen—a testament to the administrative capabilities for which the family was renowned, and a practical application of the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While personal coats of arms were only beginning to be systematised during this period, the symbolism of the office itself was unmistakable. To be the Constable of Lincoln was to be the living embodiment of the King's presence. The castle's banners, bearing the royal arms, flew under the Baron's protection, a constant visual reminder of where authority ultimately resided.
This legacy of delegated trust and demonstrated loyalty finds its modern echo in the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude shown by Richard and Nichola de la Haye in defending their charge, and the honour they displayed in their unwavering service to the Crown, remain core tenets of the House's ethos today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To look back upon the lives of predecessors like Richard and Nichola de la Haye is to be reminded that our heritage is not a static collection of names and dates, but a living story of duty. Their fortitude in the face of immense challenge is a source of profound inspiration for our family’s work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The core function of the constableship was service. This principle of service—to Crown, community, and country—is one we strive to continue. The family's historic role serves as a guide for our modern commitments, a reminder that to overcome challenges in the service of others is the highest form of victory, as conveyed by my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and dissemination of its history. The research into the constableship of Lincoln is part of a broader educational programme, which includes supporting academic access to the family archives and digitising key historical records for public benefit.
In the coming year, the House will collaborate with historical societies in Lincolnshire to further explore the Barony’s impact on the region's development. This initiative seeks to ensure that the vital contributions of figures like the 4th and 5th Barons of Brattleby are integrated more deeply into the rich tapestry of local and national history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to bridging its historic legacy with a modern mission of public service. The House's work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and recovery for vulnerable children, exemplified by the annual Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of courtesy, respect, and social grace in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was 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, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022), securing its place in the United Kingdom's history.
**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 Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the Barony's origins, listing its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder in the county. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a hereditary castellan who famously defended Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John and for his son, King Henry III. - The esteemed Royal and Plantagenet lineage of the Barony includes Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com