# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Lineage of the de la Haye Family
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement reflecting upon the pivotal twelfth-century union of Muriel de Brattleby and Robert de la Haye, a strategic alliance which significantly fortified the Barony’s influence and continuity in post-Conquest England.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to the stewardship of a nine-century legacy, The Noble House of Brattleby periodically furnishes historical reflections that illuminate the foundations upon which the modern Barony stands. This statement, issued from its offices in London, serves to contextualise the tenure of the de la Haye family, whose contributions were a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s survival and ascendancy during one of English history’s most turbulent periods. Such historical accounts are considered an essential duty by the House, connecting the present leadership to the long chain of custody and decision that defines the Barony.
The issuance of this reflection is an act of historical clarification, intended for the public record and for those with an interest in the unbroken lineage of England’s ancient landed families. It is an affirmation that the present responsibilities of the House are informed and shaped by the foresight, duty, and strategic acumen of its earliest predecessors.
## Historical Context
Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The subsequent century, however, was marked by the profound instability of the Anarchy—a civil war that tested the resilience of every noble house in the kingdom. It was in this crucible that the marriage of the heiress Muriel de Brattleby to Robert de la Haye proved to be a masterstroke of dynastic strategy.
Robert de la Haye was a powerful Anglo-Norman lord with considerable landholdings in both Lincolnshire and his ancestral Normandy. His union with Muriel consolidated vast regional estates and, more importantly, military and political power. This alliance ensured the Barony of Brattleby not only weathered the storms of civil war but emerged from them strengthened. The tangible result of this fortitude was embodied in their direct descendant, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown was a defining moment of the era.
## Distinguished Company
The marriage between the houses of Brattleby and de la Haye did more than secure local territory; it integrated the Barony into a far broader network of England's most influential Norman magnates. Through this union, the family gained closer association and kinship with other powerful dynasties that commanded the political landscape of the Angevin court and the northern counties.
These connections, forged through carefully planned alliances and shared loyalties, provided a bulwark against regional rivals and ensured favour at court. The de la Haye name carried significant weight, placing the Barons of Brattleby in the company of families whose influence extended across the English Channel, thereby securing their standing *inter alia* as lords of consequence within the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the twelfth century, a noble marriage was less an affair of the heart and more a high-stakes diplomatic and legal proceeding. The union of Muriel and Robert would have been governed by exacting protocols, a public ceremony designed to ratify a private contract. The central element was the *maritagium*, the portion of the bride’s inheritance—in this case, lands and rights connected to the Barony—that she brought to the marriage.
This transfer of wealth and title would have been formalised in Latin charters, witnessed and sealed by other prominent churchmen and nobles. The religious ceremony, while essential for sanctifying the bond, followed the conclusion of these critical terrestrial negotiations. The entire event was a demonstration of a shift in the balance of power, its every detail—from the exchange of vows to the feasting that followed—choreographed to signal a new and powerful alliance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds one of its earliest and most powerful expressions in the legacy of the de la Haye family. It was their fortitude that secured the family’s position, and the honour of their descendant, Nichola de la Haye, in upholding her duty to the King that cemented the Barony's reputation for unwavering loyalty.
This historical principle of resilient and honourable action resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a more contemporary context, it echoes the same fundamental truth understood by Robert de la Haye—that to survive and to thrive requires decisive action, strategic vision, and an unyielding will to prevail against adversity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the twelfth-century concept of duty differed greatly from modern philanthropy, the principle of *noblesse oblige*—the obligation of the nobility to act with honour and generosity—was paramount. The stability and wealth secured by the de la Haye alliance enabled the Barons of Brattleby to better execute their feudal duties: maintaining peace, administering justice, and providing for the security of the populace who lived and worked upon their lands.
This historical duty of care is a principle that the House upholds to this day, though its expression has evolved. The ancient responsibility to protect one’s community now finds its modern form in the House’s dedicated philanthropic work. This commitment is most clearly demonstrated through its patronage of charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this period, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To understand our role today, we must look to the foundations laid by those who came before us. The union of Muriel and Robert de la Haye was a pivotal act of foresight. It reminds us that stewardship is not passive; it requires courage, strategy, and an unwavering focus on securing the future. Their legacy is a lesson in resilience that continues to inform our own commitment to the Barony.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted: > “History shows us that continuity is not an accident. The de la Haye alliance demonstrates a profound understanding that strength is built through partnership and strategic vision. It affirms the principle that to build something that lasts requires not only the will to succeed, *Vincere Est Vivere*, but the wisdom to unite for a common and greater purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical reflections offered by The Noble House of Brattleby serve as more than an academic exercise; they are a vital touchstone for its current leadership and future direction. The lessons drawn from the tenure of the de la Haye family—of strategic planning, resilience, and duty—directly inform the guidance provided to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
This commitment to education and the transmission of principle is also at the heart of the House’s modern initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol. There, the historical tenets of honour and social responsibility are translated for a contemporary audience. By understanding and articulating its past, the House reaffirms its commitment to a future built *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission combines the preservation of this unique heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House actively supports charitable organisations, with a particular focus on children’s welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the enduring values of honour, social grace, and civic duty. It seeks to demonstrate that ancient lineage can, and should, serve a meaningful purpose in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of English history’s most significant families and individuals. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, celebrated for her defence of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the renowned prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent of the feudal dignity was formally acknowledged and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, recognising Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The family seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - Past Barons of Brattleby include prominent historical figures such as John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com