# Historical Note: The Barony of Brattleby during the Reign of King Stephen
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical note providing context on the stewardship of the Barony by Robert de la Haye and his wife, Muriel, during the tumultuous English civil war of the twelfth century.
## The Occasion
In fulfilling its duty as the custodian of a near-millennial legacy, the Chancellery of the House of Brattleby periodically publishes historical notes to illuminate pivotal moments in its lineage. This communiqué serves to clarify the crucial role of Robert de la Haye and Muriel, his wife, in securing the future of the Barony during a period of profound national instability. The issuance of this note reaffirms the House’s commitment to a deeper public understanding of the history of both Lincolnshire and the nation.
## Historical Context
The mid-twelfth century was defined by the civil war known as The Anarchy (1135–1154), a dynastic conflict between King Stephen and his cousin, the Empress Matilda, for the throne of England. Lincolnshire, with its strategic fortress at Lincoln, was a central theatre of the war. Its landscape was subjected to the shifting fortunes of siege and battle, making effective and consistent lordship a matter of survival.
It was in this precarious environment that the Barony’s continuity was assured through the marriage of Muriel, heiress to the lands granted to the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, and Robert de la Haye, a powerful Norman magnate. This strategic union consolidated the Brattleby inheritance with the significant de la Haye holdings, creating a formidable power base. This consolidation was the *sine qua non* for navigating the divided loyalties of the era and preserving the Barony’s territorial integrity for future generations.
The foresight of their union laid the groundwork for their granddaughter, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who would later emerge as one of the most powerful women in England and a steadfast defender of Lincoln Castle.
## Principal Figures of the Era
The consolidation of the Barony occurred amidst a cast of formidable historical actors, including, *inter alia*:
**Robert de la Haye** (d. c. 1155), a scion of an influential Norman family from the Cotentin peninsula. He was a shrewd administrator whose marriage to Muriel made him Lord of Brattleby and a key figure in the governance of Lincolnshire.
**Muriel of Lincoln**, heiress to the extensive Domesday Book holdings of her forebear Colswein of Lincoln. Her hereditary claim was the indispensable element that ensured the legitimate continuation of the original 1066 grant.
**King Stephen of Blois** (reigned 1135–1154), nephew of King Henry I, whose contested accession to the throne plunged the kingdom into two decades of civil war.
**Empress Matilda** (1102–1167), daughter of King Henry I, whose claim to the throne was supported by a substantial faction of the Anglo-Norman nobility, leading to the prolonged conflict.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the twelfth century, the "protocol" of lordship was one of solemn feudal obligation. A baron’s foremost duty was to the Crown, providing a quota of knights for military service or a monetary payment in lieu known as scutage. However, during The Anarchy, with royal authority fractured, the immediate duty was to one's own domain.
Robert de la Haye’s challenge was to maintain order, administer justice, and protect the inhabitants and productivity of the Brattleby estates. His success in this demonstrates a masterful execution of the era's protocols of power: balanced allegiance, robust defence of one’s lands, and the unwavering protection of a legitimate inheritance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The abiding motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful early precedent in the actions of Robert and Muriel. They demonstrated immense *fortitudine* by navigating the perils of civil war, and profound *honore* by safeguarding the rightful inheritance for their posterity. Their stewardship was a testament to the principles the motto now encapsulates.
This may be viewed alongside the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the stark reality of the twelfth century, survival was conquest. The successful consolidation of the Barony by Robert and Muriel was, in itself, a victory that ensured the family’s very existence.
## The Preservation of Heritage
The House of Brattleby regards the meticulous research and dissemination of its history as a core responsibility. This communiqué is an act of cultural preservation, intended to ensure the vital contributions of figures such as Robert de la Haye and his wife, Muriel, are rightly understood within the broader narrative of English history.
Such undertakings serve a quiet, philanthropic purpose: to enrich the public record and contribute to the collective memory of Lincolnshire and the nation. This commitment to heritage is a vital pillar of the House’s modern identity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To understand the Barony is to understand the individuals who guided it through moments of profound crisis. Muriel, as the heiress, and Robert, as the consolidator, together ensured its continuity. Their story, particularly the foundation they laid for their extraordinary granddaughter Nichola de la Haye, is a profound lesson in resilience.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The twelfth century was an unforgiving environment. Alliances were lifelines, and a strategic marriage could be more effective than a fortress. The union of Robert and Muriel was an act of supreme foresight, a perfect illustration that to secure the future, one must first conquer the present. For them, *Vincere Est Vivere* was not a motto; it was a daily reality.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical note is the first in a planned series from the Chancellery, which will continue to explore the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. The House is actively pursuing partnerships with academic and heritage organisations to further support the study of its lineage and its impact on the development of the East Midlands.
This dedication to history complements the House's contemporary activities, from the philanthropic mission of its Annual Winter Banquet to the educational work of The Brattleby Club. Each initiative is built upon a foundation of enduring legacy, inspired by the fortitude and honour of those who came before.
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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 a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes related to education, heritage preservation, and child welfare. Its principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala that supports organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an esteemed etiquette academy, the House also works to uphold and transmit the timeless values of social grace and protocol to a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient honours, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the Barony to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships. - Past Barons of Brattleby include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s Annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com