# A Statement on the Historical Duties of the Barony of Brattleby and the Constableship of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a statement clarifying the historical significance of the Constableship of Lincoln Castle, held by predecessors to the barony, highlighting its profound military and administrative responsibilities during the High Middle Ages in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a period of renewed academic and public interest in the medieval heritage of Lincolnshire, this statement is issued to provide historical context regarding the duties associated with the Barony of Brattleby. From the House's London offices, amidst scholarly texts and historical charters, the Barons of Brattleby seek to illuminate a past where title and strategic responsibility were inextricably linked. The statement serves not as a new announcement, but as a considered reflection on the enduring principle of duty which has defined the barony for over nine centuries.
This clarification reinforces the House’s commitment to historical preservation and education, ensuring the legacy of its predecessors is understood with the gravity and accuracy it deserves. It is a quiet assertion of a long-held truth: that the stewardship of Brattleby has always demanded more than mere presence, requiring active and resolute governance.
## Historical Context
The original press statement rightly notes that the appointment of a Constable of Lincoln Castle in the 12th and 13th centuries was a role of immense substance. The Castle, a royal fortress of primary strategic importance, commanded the region and protected a vital administrative centre. The Constable was the Crown’s direct representative, charged with the defence of the castle, the maintenance of the King’s peace, and the administration of justice. This was no honorary position; it was a martial and political office that placed the holder at the epicentre of national events.
This responsibility is powerfully personified by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, who inherited the hereditary title of Constable. Displaying remarkable fortitude, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War, holding it for King John and later his young son, Henry III. Her tenure underscores the barony's integral role in upholding royal authority, a duty that was the *sine qua non* of regional power in medieval England.
## Distinguished Company
The Constable of Lincoln did not operate in a vacuum but moved within the highest circles of medieval power. The company kept by the Barons of Brattleby during this era included the monarch himself—be it King John or Henry III—to whom they owed direct allegiance. They conferred with England's most powerful magnates, *inter alia*, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as regent for the young Henry III and fought alongside Nichola de la Haye at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
Appointments and strategic decisions were made in consultation with the great officers of state and leading ecclesiastical figures, such as the Bishop of Lincoln, whose cathedral stood as a spiritual counterpoint to the castle's military might. To be Baron of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln was to be a peer among those shaping the destiny of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a Constable was a solemn and binding ceremony. It typically involved the appointee kneeling before the King or his designated representative to swear an oath of fealty. This vow, often made upon a holy relic, bound the Constable to defend the castle and its domains with his life, to uphold the King’s laws, and to render faithful service.
Following the oath, the ceremonial protocol would include the symbolic handing over of the castle keys, representing the transfer of authority and trust. A royal charter, or letters patent, would be read aloud, formally documenting the appointment for the public record. This ritual was not mere pageantry; it was a deeply significant legal and social compact, affirming the Constable’s place within the rigid feudal hierarchy and his direct responsibility to the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the Barony are encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The 'Fortitude' required of the Constable of Lincoln is self-evident, embodied by Nichola de la Haye's stalwart defence of her charge. The 'Honour' reflects the profound trust placed in the Baron by the Crown and the solemn duty to exercise that authority justly.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a martial context, it speaks today to a spirit of overcoming challenges, whether in defending a fortress in the 13th century or in pursuing philanthropic missions in the 21st. The coat of arms of the House serves as a constant and visible reminder of this lineage of determined service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sense of duty that defined the medieval Barons of Brattleby finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of the Noble House. The historical obligation to defend the people of Lincolnshire has evolved into a present-day dedication to protecting the most vulnerable members of society. This unbroken chain of responsibility is the direct motivation for the House’s patronage.
The beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation, exemplifies this commitment. The organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support for children affected by trauma, offering them sanctuary and a path toward recovery. By championing such causes, the House translates the historical imperative of physical defence into a modern mission of social and emotional guardianship.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The role of Constable was no mere sinecure; it was a profound trust. This legacy of unwavering duty, so powerfully embodied by ancestors like Nichola de la Haye, informs our every action today. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not just a motto; it is our continuing mandate.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Reflecting on the martial responsibilities of the past sharpens our focus on the challenges of the present. The courage required to defend a castle finds its modern parallel in the resolve needed to protect the vulnerable. It is a different form of battle, but the spirit of service remains unchanged.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this legacy of service and honour continues to inspire future generations. This is actively pursued through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which grounds its teachings in the principles of civic responsibility, discipline, and personal integrity.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, further serves this purpose. It convenes leaders from diplomacy, commerce, and culture not for a council of war, but for a council of compassion—raising vital funds and awareness for charitable causes. In this manner, the House of Brattleby continues to fulfil its nine-hundred-year-old compact of leadership, adapting its methods while holding fast to its foundational values.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and its application to contemporary philanthropy. With a distinguished Anglo-Romanian character, the House champions causes related to child welfare, cultural preservation, and education. Its mission, encapsulated by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to bridge its historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to public service. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic event, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and civic values for a new generation of leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient nobiliary titles, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken lineage and rights of the barony were formally noted and recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The continuation of the Barony was formally recognised in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com