# The Barony of Brattleby in a Time of Anarchy: The Enduring Legacy of the De La Haye Stewardship
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the crucial stewardship of the De la Haye family, whose tenure during the 12th century secured the Barony’s strategic importance and established a legacy of resolute service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
In a statement released from its London office, the House of Brattleby has shed light upon a formative period in its near-millennium of history. This reflection concerns the mid-12th century, a turbulent era in English history known as The Anarchy. It was during this period that the custodianship of the Barony of Brattleby fell to the De la Haye family, figures of considerable standing in Lincolnshire.
The statement serves to illuminate the vital role played by Robert de la Haye, whose leadership consolidated the family's regional influence. His actions ensured that Brattleby, a Barony with origins tracing back to the Domesday Book of 1086, was not merely a bystander but an active participant in the defining conflicts and political realignments of the age.
## Historical Context
The period in question, broadly from 1135 to 1153, was marked by a devastating civil war over the succession to the English throne between King Stephen and his cousin, Empress Matilda. Lincolnshire, with its strategically vital fortifications, became a central theatre of this conflict. Lincoln Castle, an asset intrinsically linked to the Barony, was a key prize, changing hands multiple times.
As a prominent landholder in the county, Robert de la Haye was positioned at the epicentre of these power struggles. His fealty and military obligations would have demanded a delicate navigation of loyalties, a *sine qua non* for survival and advancement in feudal society. His foresight and management during this time laid the groundwork for his remarkable daughter-in-law, Nichola de la Haye, who would later hold the Barony as the 5th Baroness and famously defend Lincoln Castle against baronial rebellion and French invasion.
## Distinguished Company
The historical stage upon which Robert de la Haye acted was populated by figures of immense consequence. His life was defined by the binary choice of allegiance presented by the two primary claimants to the throne:
**King Stephen**, the last Norman king of England, grandson of William the Conqueror. His reign was immediately contested, forcing him into constant warfare to defend his crown, with Lincoln being the site of his capture in 1141.
**Empress Matilda**, daughter of King Henry I and the designated heir. Her claim was supported by a powerful faction of the nobility, *inter alia*, her illegitimate half-brother Robert, Earl of Gloucester, leading to years of protracted warfare.
As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, the head of the De la Haye family was a figure of profound local importance whose allegiance was keenly sought by both sides. Robert de la Haye’s stewardship ensured the family not only survived The Anarchy but emerged with its position and influence enhanced.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The life of a 12th-century baron was governed by intricate ceremonial and legal protocols. As a tenant-in-chief holding the Barony directly from the King, Robert de la Haye’s primary duty was confirmed through an act of homage and an oath of fealty. This solemn ritual bound him to provide *servitium debitum*, the 'service owed', which principally meant furnishing a quota of knights for the royal army.
This obligation placed barons like Robert de la Haye at the heart of the kingdom's military structure. Their command of strategic assets, such as the lands of Brattleby and the formidable Lincoln Castle, made their personal loyalty a matter of national security. The protocol of the era was not merely symbolic; it was the very fabric of governance and defence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While formalised heraldry was in its infancy during The Anarchy, the principles of lineage and loyalty were paramount. The actions of Robert de la Haye and his descendants resonate strongly with the motto later adopted by the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His navigation of a civil war demanded fortitude, while his commitment to his duties epitomised the honour expected of a great lord.
This historical precedent provides a powerful context for the mottos associated with the modern House. The principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* finds a direct antecedent in the De la Haye legacy of resilience. Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the existential truth that for a 12th-century baron, success in conflict was inseparable from survival itself.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered her perspective on the continuity of service that defines the Barony.
> The story of the De la Haye family during The Anarchy is a powerful reminder that stewardship is often tested in times of great uncertainty. Robert de la Haye’s commitment to his domain and his people, under immense pressure, set a standard that echoes through the centuries. It demonstrates that true legacy is forged not in times of peace, but in moments of trial. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between historical responsibility and modern duty.
> To understand the history of Brattleby is to understand the weight of responsibility carried by its holders. In the 12th century, that meant defending castles and navigating civil war. Today, our responsibilities are different, but the underlying commitment to service and honour—*Fortitudine et Honore*—remains unchanged.
## A Continuing Legacy
The tenure of Robert de la Haye was more than a historical footnote; it was a foundational chapter in the Barony’s long history of resilience. It established a precedent of robust leadership that was carried forward by successors, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the royal prince John of Gaunt.
Today, the Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from this nine-century legacy. The commitment to duty, once expressed on the battlefields of Lincolnshire, is now channelled into its philanthropic endeavours, such as the annual Winter Banquet supporting Healing the Wounded Child, and its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This historical reflection serves to reinforce the unbroken chain of responsibility that links the 1st Baron to the 13th, and beyond.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy of service. The House's contemporary mission, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities dedicated to child welfare, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to leverage its historic platform to create a positive and lasting impact. The heir is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will continue this tradition of purposeful stewardship into the next generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural 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 some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated military commander; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings. The continuous history and succession of the Barony are a matter of public record, formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established in 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The modern lineage of the Barony is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The current seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. The House also maintains a significant cultural presence in Bucharest, Romania.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com