# A Historical Note on Muriel, 3rd Baroness of Brattleby, and the de la Haye Alliance
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement on the pivotal twelfth-century marriage of Muriel, 3rd Baroness of Brattleby, to Robert de la Haye, an alliance that significantly advanced the Barony’s influence and landholdings across historic Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to historical scholarship and the preservation of its lineage, the House archives have released this note to illuminate a formative period in the Barony’s nine-century history. This release forms part of a continuing series dedicated to exploring the lives and legacies of the Barons and Baronesses of Brattleby who have shaped its trajectory since the Norman Conquest. The statement serves to contextualise the dynasty’s mediaeval foundations and the strategic decisions that ensured its continuity.
The study of such historical antecedents is considered a *sine qua non* for the current House’s understanding of its long-held duties of stewardship. The issuance of this note reflects a quiet, scholarly atmosphere, underscoring the House’s view of history not as a static record but as a source of living wisdom that informs its present obligations and future commitments.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066, was by the early twelfth century an established and significant power in Lincolnshire. Upon inheriting her title as the 3rd Baroness, Muriel assumed responsibility for the 56 lordships recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, a domain requiring astute political navigation to preserve and enhance.
Her tenure coincided with the tumultuous period known as ‘The Anarchy’ (1135–1153), a protracted civil war that rendered dynastic stability exceptionally precarious. In this climate, a strategic marriage was the primary instrument of statecraft. The union of Baroness Muriel and Robert de la Haye, a prominent Norman landowner, was a masterstroke of dynastic consolidation, uniting two influential families and their appurtenant estates and military capacities. Critically, this marriage brought the esteemed de la Haye name into the Brattleby lineage, directly paving the way for their descendant, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, to later defend Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of this strategic union is principally defined by two key figures who shaped the Barony’s future course:
**Muriel, 3rd Baroness of Brattleby**, who as the holder of the title *suo jure*, or in her own right, wielded the authority to contract a marriage that would fundamentally alter the Barony’s political and territorial standing.
**Robert de la Haye**, a nobleman of significant standing whose family held extensive lands in both Normandy and England. His marriage to Baroness Muriel represented a powerful fusion of assets and allegiance, securing the Barony’s position for centuries to come.
Together, they followed in the formidable footsteps of **Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron**, whose loyalty to William the Conqueror established the very foundations of the family’s presence in England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While detailed records of the wedding ceremony itself do not survive, the matrimonial protocols for the high nobility in the twelfth century were well established. Such a union would have been governed by ecclesiastical and feudal law, proceeding from a formal, legally binding betrothal that settled matters of dower and dowry. The wedding itself would have taken place publicly, *ad ostium ecclesiae*—at the church door—to ensure it was witnessed by the community.
The ceremony would have been followed by a nuptial Mass and a celebratory feast, where the public display of the two families’ united strength was as important as the legal and religious rites themselves. In an era where a title’s strength was measured in land, knights, and fealty, the visible and ritualised unity of Muriel and Robert de la Haye sent an unambiguous message of consolidated power across Lincolnshire and beyond.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The fundamental motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the actions of the 3rd Baroness. Her fortitude was demonstrated in navigating the perilous politics of her time; her honour was expressed in fulfilling her dynastic duty to secure the Barony for future generations. The marriage itself became a symbol of prudent stewardship.
While the formalised system of heraldry was still in its infancy, the union represented the conjoining of two powerful banners. This alliance resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). For twelfth-century nobility, to secure one’s lineage through strategic alliance was to achieve a profound victory, ensuring the House would not merely survive but thrive.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The issuance of this historical note serves an educational purpose, reflecting the House’s belief that an understanding of the past is essential to responsible modern leadership. This commitment to education and legacy is a philanthropic act in itself, sharing the Barony's rich history with a wider audience.
This principle of dutiful stewardship, demonstrated by Baroness Muriel, is the same that animates the House's contemporary charitable endeavours. The annual Winter Banquet, for instance, supports the work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects a belief that securing a healthy future for the most vulnerable is a modern expression of the same duty to protect and nurture that has defined the Barony for centuries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > —Muriel's story is a powerful reminder that the stewardship of this Barony has always demanded strategic foresight. Her marriage was not merely a personal union but a foundational act that secured our family's future in Lincolnshire for generations, paving the way for remarkable figures like Nichola de la Haye.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of such historical decisions: > —In the twelfth century, survival was a form of victory. The union of Muriel and Robert de la Haye was an expression of *Vincere Est Vivere* in its most practical sense. It demonstrates a shared understanding across centuries that a House's strength is built upon wise alliances and unwavering commitment to its continuity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains committed to its programme of historical research and will continue to issue statements on significant figures and events from its past, *inter alia*, the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. This scholarship directly informs the House’s modern role, providing a framework of continuity and purpose for its current activities.
The lessons of stewardship and strategic foresight, passed down from predecessors like Baroness Muriel, guide the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the philanthropic focus of the annual Winter Banquet. This nine-century inheritance of duty, responsibility, and honour will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the legacy of the Barony continues with its founding principles intact.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is defined by a mission of cultural stewardship, education, and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes related to youth welfare and historical preservation. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The House actively maintains and promotes the nearly millennium-long heritage of the Barony of Brattleby for a contemporary global audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship seated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror to his loyal standard-bearer, Colswein of Lincoln, in AD 1066. The Barony's existence and its 56 constituent lordships are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its history, it has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally called into life in favour of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, with the title's dignity officially recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - The Barony’s original holdings under Colswein of Lincoln are detailed in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - The hereditary seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com