# A Statement on the Hereditary Constableship of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the historical significance of the Constableship of Lincoln Castle. This hereditary office, held by the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, exemplified the family’s foundational commitment to Crown service and regional defence.
## The Occasion
In the wake of the Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition in *The London Gazette*, the House has undertaken a considered review of the foundational duties that have defined its nine-century history. This reflection serves to illuminate the enduring principles that connect the Barony’s medieval origins to its modern responsibilities. The issuance of this statement is therefore an occasion to honour a specific, formative role: the hereditary Constableship of Lincoln Castle, a position of immense military and administrative trust.
This historical office was a cornerstone of the Barony’s influence and a tangible expression of its fealty to the Sovereign. By examining the sacred duties of their predecessors, the current House reaffirms its own commitment to service, a guiding principle that has persisted from the Norman era to the present day.
## Historical Context
Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, Lincoln was a strategic bastion of royal authority in a frequently restive northern England. Its formidable castle, one of the first to be commissioned by William the Conqueror, was constructed within the stone walls of the old Roman fortress of Lindum Colonia. For generations, the hereditary Constableship of this vital stronghold was entrusted to the Barons of Brattleby.
The role reached its zenith during the turbulent reigns of the 12th and 13th centuries. It was Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby, who most memorably embodied the fortitude required by the office. As hereditary Constable, she twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces, most notably during the First Barons' War. Her courageous leadership at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was instrumental in securing victory for the loyalist cause of the young King Henry III, effectively preserving the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of the Constableship is defined by the remarkable figures who held it. The lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, a trusted follower of William the Conqueror who was granted 56 lordships in the county, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. His descendants, *inter alia*, the de la Haye family, would hold the Constableship as a hereditary right.
This tradition of service at the highest levels of the realm continued through successive centuries. The Barony later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. The title was subsequently held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Constable of Lincoln Castle was not merely a garrison commander; the office entailed a host of solemn ceremonial and judicial duties. The Constable was responsible for the security of the shire, the collection of taxes, and the administration of royal justice, often serving concurrently as the Sheriff of Lincolnshire. The position was a *sine qua non* for maintaining the King’s Peace.
The office also carried a profound custodial duty. Lincoln Castle was one of the few original repositories for the Magna Carta of 1215, and the Constable was its sworn protector. This charge to safeguard a foundational document of English law underscores the gravity of the role, blending martial power with civic responsibility and an obligation to uphold the rule of law.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties of the Constable are powerfully reflected in the heraldic traditions of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the dual requirements of the office: the physical and moral courage to defend the castle, and the unimpeachable honour required to serve the Crown with loyalty.
This historical ethos finds a contemporary echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the nature of the challenge has evolved from the battlefield to the modern professional and philanthropic spheres, the underlying principle of overcoming adversity through resolve and integrity remains a constant.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ancient duty to defend the physical security of the people of Lincolnshire has, in the modern era, evolved into a profound commitment to social welfare. The responsibility to protect has transformed into a responsibility to support, care, and empower. This philosophy is the guiding force behind the House’s philanthropic endeavours.
The primary beneficiary of the House's efforts, supported through its Annual Winter Banquet, is Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, offering them a sanctuary for recovery and the tools to build a resilient future. In safeguarding the well-being of the most vulnerable, the House finds a contemporary expression of its oldest and most solemn charge.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand the duties of Nichola de la Haye is to understand the very essence of our Barony. The legacy is not one of raw power, but of profound responsibility—a charge to protect, to administer, and to serve, which we are bound by honour to continue today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between past and present duties: > The concept of ‘defence’ has certainly evolved, yet the principles of fortitude and honour remain constant. Our task today is to build resilience within our communities, championing those who heal and protect the most vulnerable among us, which we view as the direct continuation of our predecessors’ work.
## A Continuing Legacy
While the military functions of the Constableship have passed into history, the spirit of dutiful service that defined the office remains the central pillar of The Noble House of Brattleby. Through its philanthropic initiatives, its cultural contributions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its careful stewardship of a near-millennial heritage, the House continues to act upon its ancient commitment.
The legacy of the Constable of Lincoln Castle is not a relic displayed in a museum, but a living principle of responsible leadership. It is a reminder that titles carry duties, and that history’s greatest lesson is one of unwavering service to Crown and community, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of its historical principles: service, honour, and cultural stewardship. With a lineage extending to the Norman Conquest, the House’s contemporary mission is focused on philanthropy and education. Its primary charitable focus is on children’s welfare, principally through its support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. In addition to its philanthropic work, the House sponsors The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, to promote cultural refinement and international understanding. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest noble dignities in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, an estate documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barons of Brattleby served the Crown as hereditary Constables of Lincoln Castle. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. After nine centuries of continuous history, the Barony of Brattleby’s status was formally noted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby, was the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and a key commander at the Second Battle of Lincoln (1217). - The modern House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Recognition of the Barony was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com