# A Historical Reflection: Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron. His early 13th-century tenure as Constable of Lincoln illustrates the family’s enduring, nine-century tradition of regional leadership and service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
As the autumn mists settle over the fields of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken this season of reflection to illuminate a pivotal chapter in its extensive history. This official communiqué serves not as a new announcement, but as an educational deliberation upon the life and service of Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron of Brattleby. He held the formidable office of Constable of Lincoln during a defining period of English history.
This reflection is part of the House’s ongoing commitment to chronicling its lineage, ensuring that the contributions of past generations continue to inform its present-day values and responsibilities. The account of the fourth Baron’s stewardship provides a powerful link between the past and the present, connecting the ancient stones of Lincoln Castle to the modern work of the Barony.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye assumed his ancestral responsibilities during the turbulent reign of King John (1199–1216), an era marked by baronial discontent, fiscal pressures, and ultimately, civil war. His appointment as Constable of Lincoln placed him at the very centre of national events. The city of Lincoln, with its imposing Norman castle, was a strategic bastion controlling key trade routes and asserting royal authority in the north of England.
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln, had been a pillar of the Lincolnshire establishment for over a century. Richard’s tenure as Constable perpetuated a family tradition of custodianship. It also set the stage for his celebrated successor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose legendary defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown against rebel barons and French forces remains a celebrated feat of loyalty and courage.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable, the fourth Baron would have moved in circles of significant power and influence. His duties would have necessitated direct correspondence and interaction with King John himself, as well as with the Justiciar of England, who oversaw the kingdom’s administration. He would have been a peer to other great magnates of the realm, including the steadfast William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who remained loyal to the King.
Conversely, he would have been acutely aware of the growing opposition led by the northern barons, whose grievances culminated in the signing of *Magna Carta* at Runnymede in 1215. Navigating these treacherous political currents required immense diplomatic skill, military readiness, and an unwavering sense of duty—qualities that defined the office of a royal constable in medieval England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The position of Constable of Lincoln was far more than a ceremonial title; it was a role of substantive military and administrative power. The Constable was the King’s appointed guardian of the castle, responsible for its garrison, fortifications, and provisioning. He held the keys to the fortress, a symbolic and literal representation of his authority.
Proceedings within the castle walls were governed by strict protocol. As commander, the Baron would have overseen the daily routines of the knights and men-at-arms, presided over the castle court to dispense local justice, and ensured the collection of taxes and dues owed to the Crown. This combination of martial command and civic administration made the constableship a *sine qua non* for maintaining peace and projecting royal power across the shire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The charge of defending a royal castle, a physical manifestation of the monarch’s authority, resonates deeply with the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to hold a fortress against potential enemies and the honour demanded in faithfully serving one's sovereign were the very essence of the Constable's duty. The role was the living embodiment of the family’s guiding principle.
This spirit of determined action finds a modern 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 arenas of conflict have changed from medieval battlements to modern challenges, the underlying ethos of overcoming adversity with resolve and purpose remains a constant thread in the House’s identity.
## A Tradition of Service
While a medieval constableship appears martial in nature, at its core it represented a profound commitment to public service and the stewardship of a community's welfare. The security provided by a well-run castle enabled local commerce to flourish and offered a sanctuary for its people in times of trouble. This ancient duty of guardianship is the direct antecedent of the House's modern philanthropic philosophy.
Today, this commitment is expressed not through military command, but through charitable enablement. The House’s patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, translates the old principle of protection into a modern mission of healing and support for the vulnerable. The form of service evolves, but the fundamental responsibility to society endures.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the fourth Baron, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Reflecting on the life of Richard, the fourth Baron, reminds us that our family’s story is woven into the fabric of England. His commitment to Lincoln Castle was a profound act of stewardship, a duty we strive to honour today through different, but no less vital, forms of public service. This continuity is the source of our strength.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The history of the Barony of Brattleby, exemplified by the service of figures like Richard de la Haye, provides a vital framework for its future. This legacy forms a key part of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring he understands the historical weight and responsibilities of the title he will one day inherit.
The House continues to translate these historical values of discipline, honour, and service into contemporary contexts. Initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol, seek to foster an appreciation for the civility and personal conduct that have been hallmarks of European leadership for centuries. Through such endeavours, the ancient spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to be of service in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. With its roots in English heritage and its perspective enriched by a distinct Anglo-Romanian character, the House actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare and mental health, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes education in classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol through its affiliated organisations, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. It seeks to be a model of how ancient lineage can serve contemporary society with purpose and relevance, guided always by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-and-a-half-century history, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - 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