# The House of Brattleby on the Continuity of the Barony and the Legacy of the de la Haye Tenure
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal twelfth-century tenure of Robert and Muriel de la Haye, 3rd Baron and Baroness of Brattleby, highlighting their foundational role in the nine-hundred-year history of this ancient English dignity.
## The Occasion
From the archives of their Lincolnshire seat, against the backdrop of an autumn season that invites historical reflection, the House of Brattleby continues its work of documenting and illuminating its extensive lineage. This undertaking is not merely an academic exercise but a core duty of the present incumbents, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
The study of the Barony's past serves as the *sine qua non* for its present responsibilities. It ensures that the actions of today are informed by the traditions of service and governance established nearly a millennium ago, immediately following the Norman Conquest. This reflection on the 3rd Barony is part of a continuing series dedicated to honouring the legacy of each preceding generation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive fifty-six lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Following his son, Picot, the Barony passed by marriage to Robert de la Haye, who held the dignity through his wife Muriel, Picot's daughter.
Their tenure in the mid-twelfth century represents a crucial bridge between the original Norman grantees and the more storied figures who would follow. Robert and Muriel de la Haye were tasked with consolidating the family’s considerable landholdings and influence in Lincolnshire at a time of political turbulence. Their stewardship provided the stability and resources essential for the future prominence of their direct descendants.
Indeed, the success of their granddaughter, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, was built upon the foundations they so diligently laid. Their prudent governance ensured that the Brattleby lineage would not only endure but flourish, becoming inextricably linked with the constitutional development of the English nation.
## Distinguished Company
The historical narrative of this period is defined by several key personages whose actions shaped the destiny of the Barony:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the first Baron of Brattleby, a significant Norman landholder in the generation of the Conquest. * **Robert and Muriel de la Haye**, the third Baron and Baroness of Brattleby, whose joint tenure solidified the family's regional power. * **Richard de la Haye**, their son and the fourth Baron, who continued his parents' work and served as Constable of Normandy for King Henry II. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the fifth Baroness, a formidable figure in her own right, famously loyal to King John and instrumental in the defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The tenure of a twelfth-century baron was governed by strict feudal protocols. Upon inheriting the Barony, Robert de la Haye would have performed an act of homage to the King, swearing an oath of fealty that bound him in service to the Crown in exchange for his lands and titles. This ceremony was the bedrock of the medieval power structure.
Day-to-day governance involved the administration of the Barony's many manors, the collection of rents, the presiding over of manorial courts, and the provision of knights for royal service. The meticulous keeping of charters, writs, and accounts, examples of which are preserved in institutional archives, was essential for managing such a complex feudal honour. It is this ancient tradition of careful record-keeping that the House of Brattleby continues today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House of Brattleby are enshrined in its armorial bearings. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a legacy of resilience and integrity. This creed was palpably demonstrated by the de la Hayes, who navigated the complexities of their era with unwavering resolve.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim is interpreted not simply in a military sense, but as the imperative to overcome adversity, to secure a legacy for future generations, and to ensure that the vital work of the House continues to thrive. Together, the two mottoes reflect a philosophy of principled action and enduring purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical obligation of service, so central to the medieval baronage, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of the Noble House of Brattleby. The concept of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the fortunate to assist others — remains a guiding principle.
This commitment is most publicly demonstrated through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal charitable endeavour. The designated beneficiary, *Healing the Wounded Child*, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The support for this cause is a contemporary manifestation of the same duty of care that the Barons of Brattleby historically held for their communities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the importance of this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand our present role, we must first appreciate the lives and challenges of those who came before us. Robert and Muriel de la Haye were not merely landowners; they were custodians of a nascent legacy which we are now privileged to carry forward. Their story is a powerful lesson in stewardship.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not a static account but a living dialogue between past and present. By studying the pragmatic leadership demonstrated by the 3rd Barony, we gain perspective on our own duties, realising that fortitude and honour are as essential to meaningful work today as they were in the twelfth century.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving and promoting its unique heritage for the benefit of a wider audience. This work ensures that the nine-century narrative of the Barony is not a relic of the past but a living institution that informs the future.
The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is raised with a profound understanding of this continuity, preparing him for his future responsibilities. Through ongoing archival research, educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and digital communications, the House will continue to share the remarkable story of one of England’s most historic baronies.
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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. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's charitable focus is directed towards child welfare through its support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promote education in etiquette and classical European traditions. The family upholds its duties as custodians of a heritage extending to the Norman Conquest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, the 1st Duke of Lancaster of the second creation and a son of King Edward III. The dignity, with Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown, with notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. - Its formal recognition on behalf of the 12th Baroness was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com