# A Reflection on Service: The Fourth Baron of Brattleby and the Stewardship of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the tenure of Richard, the fourth Baron of Brattleby, who served as Constable of Lincoln in the early 13th century, underscoring the family’s nine-century commitment to regional governance and security.
## The Occasion
In a period of considered reflection upon the long history of the Barony, The Noble House of Brattleby turns its attention to the administrative and military duties which have defined its role in Lincolnshire for centuries. This is not to mark a single anniversary, but rather to honour the enduring principle of service that connects the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, to the responsibilities of the present day.
The setting for this reflection is not a physical venue, but the historical record itself: the charters, letters patent, and chronicles that document the Barony’s contributions. The contemplation of this legacy is undertaken with a sense of gravity and purpose, acknowledging the weight of history and the obligations it confers upon the current holders of the title.
## Historical Context
Serving in the early 13th century, during the turbulent reign of King John, the fourth Baron’s constableship came at a critical juncture in English history. His tenure was a direct continuation of the Barony's foundational purpose. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in the county following the Norman Conquest, a grant that came with the implicit duty to uphold the King’s peace and administer his authority.
Richard’s role as Constable of Lincoln Castle was therefore the fulfilment of an ancestral pact. He was custodian of a fortress of immense strategic value, one which his formidable successor in the Barony, Nichola de la Haye (the fifth to hold the title), would later famously defend against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. His service illustrates a seamless continuity of civic and military responsibility passed down through the generations.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable, the fourth Baron operated within the highest echelarealms of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy and royal administration. His peers would have included the great magnates of the realm, fellow tenants-in-chief who, like him, owed direct military service to the Crown. The role necessitated close correspondence with the King’s Chancery and Exchequer, placing the Baron at the centre of regional governance.
His position also made him a pivotal figure for the citizens of Lincoln, from the wool merchants in the burgeoning city to the shire knights who comprised the county court. As the King’s appointed guardian of the Castle, his authority was a constant and visible symbol of royal power, and his conduct was a matter of consequence for all within the shire.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The responsibilities of a medieval Constable were governed by strict feudal protocol and practical necessity. The role was far more than that of a simple garrison commander; it was a complex blend of military, judicial, and administrative functions. The Constable held the keys to the castle, a ceremonial and literal representation of his authority.
Militarily, he was responsible for the castle's defence, the maintenance of its walls, and the command of its garrison. Judicially, he often presided over certain legal cases and was charged with holding prisoners awaiting trial by royal justices. His administrative duties included overseeing the castle's finances and estates, ensuring it was adequately provisioned at all times. This suite of responsibilities was the *sine qua non* of maintaining royal authority in the English shires.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful expression in the service of a figure such as the fourth Baron. The defence of a royal castle and the administration of justice on behalf of the sovereign required immense fortitude — both physical and moral — while the execution of these duties demanded an unwavering commitment to personal and public honour.
This guiding principle resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different context, it speaks to the same spirit of overcoming challenges, whether on the medieval battlefield or in the pursuit of modern philanthropic and cultural objectives. The Barony’s legacy is one of proactive engagement, not passive inheritance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern philanthropy is a distinct concept, the fourth Baron’s duties as Constable embodied a form of civic trusteeship that served the public good. The effective governance and security provided by Lincoln Castle were fundamental to the prosperity and stability of the entire region. By ensuring the rule of law and defending the shire from internal and external threats, the Constable fulfilled a vital public service.
This protection allowed commerce to flourish, communities to grow, and daily life to proceed under a shield of order. This historical commitment to the well-being of the community is a direct ancestor of the House's modern charitable focus, reflecting a continuity of purpose from feudal obligation to present-day philanthropy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this chapter of the family's history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “The service of the fourth Baron is a powerful reminder that the Barony of Brattleby was never merely about land or title; it has always been about duty. His role as Constable of Lincoln Castle exemplifies the principle of stewardship—the idea that we are temporary custodians of a legacy of service that we must honour and carry forward. It is a legacy defined not by privilege, but by responsibility to our community, a principle that remains at the very heart of the House's mission today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The example of Richard, fourth Baron of Brattleby, continues to inform the ethos of the House. His commitment to governance and security in the 13th century provides an inspirational precedent for the family’s contemporary endeavours. This commitment is manifested, *inter alia*, in the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating principles of honour, social responsibility, and personal discipline in a new generation of leaders.
The stewardship demonstrated at Lincoln Castle nine centuries ago remains the guiding light for the House’s present-day activities and its future commitments. The work of Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, and the future inheritance of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, are dedicated to ensuring this legacy of purposeful service endures.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy of public service. The modern mission of the House is focused on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable enterprise is the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), fostering a new generation of leaders committed to social responsibility and personal excellence on an international stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region. Over its long history, the title has been held by several of England’s most notable historical figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), one of the most powerful political figures of 14th-century England. - 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