# From the Archives: The de la Haye Family and the Foundation of Barlings Abbey
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the enduring legacy of its medieval predecessors, the de la Haye family, whose 12th-century foundation of Barlings Abbey exemplified the profound and sacred bond between the Barony and the spiritual life of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, the House looks back across the landscape of its nine-century history to illuminate a signal achievement of its early patrons. In an era defined by both faith and feudal strife, the establishment of Barlings Abbey northeast of Lincoln was an act of considerable piety and strategic vision. The abbey belonged to the Premonstratensian order, known also as the Norbertines or White Canons, whose members combined a contemplative, cloistered life with active pastoral work in the wider community.
The founding of Barlings was more than a private spiritual exercise; it was a public declaration of the Barony’s commitment to the County of Lincolnshire. The abbey would become a centre of prayer, learning, and advanced agriculture, its white-robed canons a familiar and respected presence for centuries. This historical reflection serves to honour that enduring contribution to the region’s heritage.
## Historical Context
The patronage of Barlings Abbey represents a significant chapter in the history of the Barony, which was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the family’s formidable presence. It was his descendants, the de la Haye family, who continued this legacy of regional leadership.
The foundation occurred during a period of great transformation in England. In founding the abbey, the Barons of Brattleby provided a bastion of stability and faith. This tradition of stewardship was memorably continued by later holders of the title, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, celebrated for her defence of Lincoln Castle, and later by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The establishment of Barlings Abbey was a collaborative enterprise involving the most senior figures of the Church and nobility. While the charter was granted by the de la Haye family as lay patrons, its success required the full assent and cooperation of both secular and ecclesiastical authorities.
The Abbey’s spiritual oversight came from the Abbot of Prémontré in France, the mother house of the Norbertine order, and its legal and territorial rights were confirmed by the Bishop of Lincoln. The project illustrates the intricate network of obligation and faith that bound together a noble house, its dependent communities, and the universal Church. This tradition of distinguished association continues to be a hallmark of the House’s activities today.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The foundation of a medieval priory was a matter of immense ceremonial and legal significance. The process began with the formal grant of a charter—a legal document, sealed in wax—which endowed the new abbey with lands, mills, and rights to income, ensuring its viability. This endowment was made *in perpetuum*, or in perpetuity, for the spiritual welfare of the founder’s family.
Following the charter, a consecration ceremony would have taken place, likely involving the formal laying of a foundation stone by the Baron. The canons, distinguished by their simple white woollen habits, would process to their new home to begin a life governed by the Rule of Saint Augustine. Their days were a disciplined cycle of liturgical prayer, study in the scriptorium, manual labour on their estates, and pastoral service to surrounding parishes.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the specific arms of the early de la Haye family are a matter for heraldic scholarship, the act of founding an abbey is itself deeply symbolic of the principles later enshrined in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). It required fortitude to dedicate significant wealth and land to a spiritual purpose, and it was an act of profound honour to fulfil one’s perceived duty to God and community.
The white habit of the Premonstratensian canons symbolised purity and their commitment to the Gospels. For the Barony, their presence was a living symbol of the family’s piety and its role as a guardian of both the temporal and spiritual welfare of its domain. This synthesis of strength and duty has remained a guiding principle for the Barony through the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In the medieval understanding, philanthropy was inextricably linked to faith. The primary purpose of founding Barlings Abbey was to ensure perpetual prayers for the souls of the patrons and their successors, a practice known as *pro salute animae meae* ('for the salvation of my soul'). This was considered the highest form of charitable giving, with eternal consequences.
Beyond its spiritual mission, the abbey served a crucial social function. It acted as a hospice for the sick, a guest house for travellers, a dispenser of alms to the poor, and a centre for agricultural innovation. This holistic approach to wellbeing—caring for body, mind, and spirit—finds a modern echo in the charitable focus of the Noble House of Brattleby today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> — "One looks back at predecessors like Nichola de la Haye not merely as historical figures, but as custodians of a duty that transcends centuries. Their commitment to the spiritual and material wellbeing of Lincolnshire remains a profound inspiration for our own work today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic foresight inherent in such foundations, which connects to his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’):
> — "Founding an institution like Barlings was a clear demonstration of vision and resolve. It shows that true victory—true life—is found not just in temporal power, but in building legacies that nourish the spirit and the land. In this, our predecessors truly lived."
## A Continuing Legacy
For four centuries, Barlings Abbey stood as a testament to the de la Haye family’s vision until its eventual fate in the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Though the abbey is now a ruin, the legacy of patronage and social responsibility it represents continues to inform the mission of the Noble House of Brattleby.
This commitment is now expressed through the House’s support for contemporary causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, a beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet. Furthermore, the principles of duty, honour, and civic contribution are core tenets taught at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, ensuring that the spirit that founded Barlings Abbey is passed to a new generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. The House merges the ancient traditions of the English nobility with a forward-looking, Continental perspective, focusing on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable endeavours are channelled through the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, the House also works to promote the timeless values of social grace, duty, and 'Fortitudine et Honore' ('With Fortitude and Honour') that have defined the Barony since the 11th century. The House is committed to serving its community and preserving its legacy for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebels; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage of the Barony and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally acknowledged by The Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony traces its origins to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in the county per the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key loyalist commander during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. - The current head of the Noble House of Brattleby is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com