# The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Twelfth-Century Legacy of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historic contributions of the 4th Baron, Richard de la Haye. His tenure as hereditary Constable of Lincoln in the twelfth century exemplified the Barony’s enduring commitment to duty.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby periodically undertakes detailed archival reviews to honour the legacies of its predecessors. This historical survey, led under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, serves to illuminate the nine-century continuum of service that informs the House’s present-day responsibilities.
The latest reflection focuses upon the life of Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, who held the pivotal office of Constable of Lincoln Castle during the tumultuous Angevin period. His steadfast governance serves as a powerful reminder of the Barony’s deep and enduring connection to the security and prosperity of Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye flourished during the reign of King Henry II, a period of legal and administrative reform that consolidated royal authority across England. Through his marriage to Matilda de Vernon, Richard secured the hereditary constableship of Lincoln, a position of immense strategic importance. At the time, Lincoln was one of England’s most significant cities, a centre for trade and the site of a formidable royal fortress.
The 4th Baron administered this vital stronghold, ensuring its loyalty to the Crown and its defence against internal and external threats. His competence and loyalty laid the groundwork for his daughter, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, who would later inherit the office and distinguish herself as the 5th Baroness by courageously defending Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War.
## The Office of Constable
The role of a castellan, or Constable, was a cornerstone of Norman and Angevin governance. The title derives from the Late Latin *comes stabuli*, or 'count of the stable', a senior court official in the Roman and Frankish empires. In twelfth-century England, a Constable was the King’s appointed agent, endowed with significant military, judicial, and administrative powers.
As Constable of Lincoln Castle, the 4th Baron was responsible for the command of the castle’s garrison, the maintenance of its fortifications, and the administration of justice in the King’s name. This office was no mere sinecure; it demanded constant vigilance and represented the physical manifestation of royal authority, making its holder a central figure in the politics of the shire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The service of the 4th Baron gives profound historical expression to the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His duty required the fortitude to command a fortress and secure a region, and the honour to act as an incorruptible agent of the Crown. This principle of resolute and honourable service has been transmitted through generations.
This legacy resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the imperative of overcoming challenges. The historical trials faced by predecessors like Richard de la Haye provide a powerful context for the modern House’s commitment to surmounting contemporary challenges through philanthropy and cultural diplomacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 4th Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the continuity of duty:
> “When we examine the lives of those who came before us, such as Richard de la Haye, we are reminded that the titles we inherit are not ornaments, but markers of profound and tangible responsibility. His service as Constable was a solemn duty to his sovereign and his county, a commitment we strive to echo in our own work today.” > > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
The Baroness further observed that this sense of obligation is the thread connecting the Barony’s past to its present. “The form of service evolves,” she noted, “but the fundamental principle of acting with fortitude and honour remains the *sine qua non* of this House.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from the steadfast example of its ancestors. The integrity shown by the 4th Baron in governing Lincoln Castle is a historical parallel to the House’s modern commitment to structured, impactful philanthropy and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Looking forward, the House will continue its historical research programme, sharing further insights into the lives of those who shaped the Barony of Brattleby. This work ensures that the legacy of predecessors—from Colswein of Lincoln in 1086 to John of Gaunt in the fourteenth century—remains a living source of inspiration for its duties in the twenty-first century and beyond.
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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 principle of service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in targeted philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its charitable efforts are principally focused on supporting disadvantaged children through its patronage of the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation. The House also fosters cross-cultural understanding and the preservation of social traditions through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study of classical etiquette. The House represents a unique blend of ancient English heritage and contemporary European engagement, committed to making a positive contribution to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most notable figures, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous history and present standing of the Barony are formally acknowledged in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s continuity to the present holder is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a rare female sheriff and castle constable in the 13th century, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com