# The Noble House of Brattleby Publishes a Reflection on the Office of Constable of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today published a historical reflection on the Office of Constable of Lincoln, an ancient duty held by her predecessors, reaffirming the enduring principle of service which guides The Noble House of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a substantive historical commentary authored by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The publication, made available through the House’s official channels, illuminates the formidable responsibilities associated with the hereditary Constableship of Lincoln Castle, an office held by the Barony during a pivotal period of English history. Its release is timed for the late autumn, a season when the mists rolling over the Lincolnshire Wolds seem to draw the past closer to the present.
The commentary serves as a deliberate act of historical stewardship, reflecting the House’s established educational mission. By exploring the duties of her 12th- and 13th-century predecessors, the Baroness underscores a core tenet of the nobility: that title and land have always been inextricably linked to a tangible duty of service to the Sovereign and the community. The reflection is, therefore, not merely an academic paper but a contemporary statement on the nature of principled leadership.
Lincoln Castle itself, the subject of the Constableship, stands upon ground fortified since the Roman foundation of *Lindum Colonia*. As one of England’s most significant medieval fortresses, its command was a matter of paramount strategic importance. The issuance of this reflection from a House so deeply connected to its legacy reinforces the continuity of its nine-hundred-year lineage.
## Historical Context
The reflection centres on the tenure of the Barons of Brattleby as hereditary Constables of Lincoln Castle, beginning with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a Tenant-in-Chief holding 56 lordships. The Office of Constable was a position of immense military and administrative consequence, responsible for the defence of a primary royal fortress and the enforcement of the King’s Peace within a shire vital to the Crown.
This heritage of command found its most remarkable expression in Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, one of medieval England’s most formidable women. Upon her husband's death, she inherited the constableship and, in 1217, at an advanced age, directed the successful defence of Lincoln Castle against a coalition of rebellious English barons and their French allies during the First Barons' War. Her victory at what became known as the Battle of Lincoln Fair was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the Crown deepened further through its later absorption into the great Duchy of Lancaster. This occurred under the tenure of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated military commander. The barony subsequently passed to his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the 14th century and whose son would become King Henry IV, founder of the Lancastrian dynasty. This direct genealogical bridge placed Brattleby at the very centre of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
The historical events detailed in the Baroness’s commentary involve several figures of national significance who were intrinsically linked to the governance of England and the destiny of the Barony. Among the principal personages of the era were:
* **Richard de la Haye**, Baron of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose service to the Crown exemplified the fusion of baronial landholding with critical functions of the state. * **His Majesty King Henry II**, whose consolidation of royal authority following the Anarchy relied heavily upon the loyalty and capability of trusted castellans such as Richard de la Haye. * **The Right Honourable Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baron of Brattleby, who succeeded her husband and served as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a role to which she was appointed directly by King John. * **Prince Louis of France**, later His Majesty King Louis VIII, commander of the French forces at the Siege of Lincoln in 1217, whose defeat at the hands of Nichola de la Haye and the royalist army proved a turning point in the war. * **The Most Noble William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England for the young King Henry III, who served as the commander-in-chief of the royalist forces that relieved the siege of Lincoln Castle.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the High Middle Ages, the appointment of a Constable to a royal castle was a solemn ceremony governed by feudal law and profound symbolism. The investiture began with an oath of fealty, sworn by the appointee on a sacred relic or Bible, directly to the King or his designated representative. The Constable would pledge to be the monarch’s “liege man of life and limb,” a binding commitment of loyalty unto death.
Following this oath, the ceremony would culminate in the act of *seisin*, the formal transfer of authority. The King’s agent would physically hand the keys of the castle to the new Constable. This set of iron keys was the tangible symbol of the trust being placed in him and conferred complete legal and military control over the entire fortification—from the outer bailey walls to the inner keep, or *donjon*. This charge was the *sine qua non* of his office, held *per servicium militare* (by military service), a sacred duty upon which the security of the region depended.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby is captured in its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient declaration finds a powerful antecedent in the duties of the Constable of Lincoln. ‘Fortitude’ was the physical courage and moral resilience required to hold the castle walls against any adversary, as personified by Nichola de la Haye. ‘Honour’ represented the chivalric code underpinning the sworn allegiance to the Sovereign and the commitment to uphold justice.
This historic motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this signifies a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of the House’s purpose. It represents a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges with determination and ingenuity, whether in commerce, heritage preservation, or philanthropy, thereby giving new life and relevance to a profound legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Baroness’s reflection is historical, it is issued in the context of the House’s wider commitment to public service and education—principles which find their most tangible expression in its philanthropic work. The premier charitable focus of the House is realised through its Annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala held to benefit its principal beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation.
This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or loss. The funds raised through the Banquet contribute directly to clinical programmes, *inter alia*, art and play therapy, one-to-one counselling, and vital support services for families. By enabling hundreds of children to access critical mental health interventions, the House translates the historic duty to defend the vulnerable into meaningful modern action, reflecting a belief that true honour lies in protecting the youngest and most fragile members of society.
## In Their Own Words
In her published reflection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, connects the past with the present responsibilities of her House: > “Understanding our predecessors is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is a duty of stewardship. The responsibilities of Richard de la Haye as Constable were tangible and profound, a daily defence of order and justice. This reminds us that titles carry with them an obligation to serve the community, a principle that remains our guide today, *fortitudine et honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on translating this heritage into current endeavours: > "History gifts us a foundation, not a resting place. Our duty is to build upon it, to translate the fortitude of a medieval castellan into the resolve required to address modern challenges. Whether in engineering or philanthropy, the goal is the same: to conquer adversity and create a lasting, positive impact. That, for us, is how legacy truly lives—*vincere est vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this historical commentary forms part of an ongoing programme by The Noble House of Brattleby to catalogue and share its unique nine-hundred-year history with a wider audience. Future initiatives will include further scholarly essays on notable predecessors, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, and a project to digitise pertinent archival documents related to the Barony’s tenureship.
The House’s educational mission is also advanced through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The Club’s curriculum, focused on diplomatic protocol and the heritage of European social traditions, fosters cross-cultural understanding. The preservation and active stewardship of this multifaceted legacy are a foundational duty, which will be passed in due course to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the story of Brattleby continues to unfold for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to serving a dynamic and relevant purpose in the 21st century. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its mission is enacted through three core pillars: the preservation of its nine-century heritage, a commitment to education and cultural diplomacy, and strategic philanthropy focused on the welfare of vulnerable children. The House blends English heritage with a Continental perspective, aiming to demonstrate how ancient titles can provide principled leadership and tangible community benefit today. The continuity of this work is secured through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s feudal lordships of antiquity. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded as a significant Tenant-in-Chief in the Domesday Book of 1086, holding 56 lordships directly from the King. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of great historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. This direct line into the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the Barony’s historical stature. The unbroken succession of the title and its modern standing were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a Tenant-in-Chief in the Lincolnshire folios of the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, a village and civil parish in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com