# An Official Reflection on the Service of Richard, Fourth Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection on the historical significance of Richard, the fourth Baron of Brattleby, whose service as Constable of Lincoln in the late twelfth century cemented the Barony’s deep-rooted tradition of service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has undertaken a considered review of its extensive archives. This period of historical curation, conducted under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, seeks to illuminate the foundational principles that have guided the Barony for over nine centuries. This official reflection on the fourth Baron is occasioned not by a single anniversary, but by a modern duty to understand and articulate the unbroken chain of responsibility that defines the House. The announcement serves as an educational testament to the Barony's enduring role in the administrative and military life of the United Kingdom.
## Historical Context
The appointment of Richard, fourth Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln occurred during the politically charged late twelfth century, a period shaped by the formidable Angevin monarchs. In this era, the role of Constable was a position of immense trust, granted directly by the Sovereign to a nobleman of proven loyalty and capability. The Constable was, in effect, the King’s sentinel, responsible for the security and administration of Lincoln Castle, a strategic fortress vital to maintaining royal authority in the north of England.
This legacy of direct service to the Crown is a recurring theme in the Barony’s history. It was established by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire for William the Conqueror as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The tradition was later exemplified with extraordinary courage by Nichola de la Haye, the fifth holder of the Barony, who as Castellan famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels. Later holders, including the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, first Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, further intertwined the Barony's destiny with that of the realm itself.
## A Tradition of Royal Service
As Constable, the fourth Baron would have moved within the highest echelons of Norman-English society. His peers and collaborators included the itinerant justices of the King’s Bench, the Sheriff of Lincolnshire, and other great tenants-in-chief sworn to uphold the King's Peace. The position placed him at the centre of a network of fealty and obligation that formed the very structure of the medieval state. This appointment was a public declaration of the Crown’s confidence in the House of Brattleby, entrusting it with a critical royal asset and the stability of a key English county.
## The Office of the Constable
The duties of a twelfth-century Constable extended far beyond mere military command. While the defence of the castle walls was the *sine qua non* of the role, the Baron would also have held significant judicial and administrative power. He was responsible for the upkeep of the fortress, the management of its stores, and command of its garrison. Furthermore, the Constable often presided over the castle-court, dispensing the King’s justice and overseeing local law enforcement. Appointment to such an office was a solemn undertaking, marked by an oath of fealty to the Monarch, signifying that the Baron held the castle not in his own right, but in trust for the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The charge given to the fourth Baron resonates profoundly with the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The defence of Lincoln Castle required immense fortitude, both physical and moral, in an age of frequent political turmoil. Simultaneously, the dispensation of justice and the loyal administration of the King’s affairs demanded the highest standard of honour. This union of strength and integrity, embodied by the fourth Baron, remains the guiding principle of his successors. It complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the modern imperative to overcome contemporary challenges with the same resolve.
## From Military Defence to Social Guardianship
The fundamental duty of the fourth Baron was the protection of the people and assets within his jurisdiction. He was a guardian of the physical realm. Today, the Noble House of Brattleby continues this tradition of guardianship, though its focus has evolved from military security to social well-being. The House's philanthropic focus, particularly its support for the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, reflects a modern interpretation of this ancient duty. Where the Baron once defended castle walls, the House now works to protect and restore the inner lives of vulnerable young people, safeguarding their future potential.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The service of the fourth Baron reminds us that responsibility to the wider community has always been the defining characteristic of our House. His duties as Constable, ensuring order and security, are a direct antecedent to our modern commitment to providing stability and support for those in need.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The role of Constable was a profound trust placed by the Sovereign in a subject. It demonstrates that from its earliest days, the Barony of Brattleby was defined not by land, but by duty. We strive to honour that legacy of dependable leadership in all our endeavours, *inter alia*, through our educational and philanthropic work.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of duty, honour, and fortitude personified by Richard, fourth Baron of Brattleby, continue to inform the mission of the Noble House of Brattleby. This historical legacy inspires its contemporary activities, from the charitable purpose of the annual white-tie Winter Banquet to the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and personal excellence. By looking to the past, the House charts its course for the future, ensuring that its nine-century heritage remains a vibrant force for good in the twenty-first century.
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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 stewarding a nine-hundred-year-old heritage with a modern, forward-looking purpose. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to public service, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid the recovery of traumatised children and young people. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges between history and the present, championing timeless values of integrity, service, and personal excellence in a contemporary context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the barony's seat and 56 associated lordships directly from the King. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated Castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historical continuity and rights of the Barony were formally noted and recognised by The Crown via *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s status was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, a fact recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The seat of the Barony has remained at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, since its establishment. - Historically significant holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com