# A Legacy Forged in Duty: The Tenure of the 3rd Barons of Brattleby
LONDON, 13 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical dispatch concerning the tenure of the 3rd Baron and Baroness, Robert and Muriel de la Haye, whose twelfth-century stewardship was pivotal in securing the fortunes of a Barony granted in 1066.
## The Occasion
From the meticulously conserved archives of the Noble House of Brattleby, this latest dispatch offers a scholarly examination of a formative period in the Barony’s history. The document emerges from an ongoing programme of research undertaken by the House to catalogue, interpret, and share its extensive historical records with a wider audience.
This scholarly undertaking is not merely an act of remembrance but a conscious effort to draw a direct line from the past to the present. The release of this historical study, the fifty-seventh in an occasional series, underscores the House’s commitment to its role as a custodian of nine centuries of English heritage, a duty it performs with academic rigour and a profound sense of responsibility.
## Historical Context
The tenure of Robert de la Haye and his wife Muriel, who held the Barony in the twelfth century, represents a critical link in the lineage. Their era bridged the foundational period of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron named in the Domesday Book of 1086, and the later, celebrated tenure of their granddaughter, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle.
Presiding over the Barony during the turbulent period of English history known as The Anarchy, Robert and Muriel’s focus would have been the consolidation of their holdings and the careful navigation of feudal politics. Their diligent administration, evidenced by their appearance as witnesses on charters and their obligations recorded in the Pipe Rolls, ensured the Barony not only survived but was strengthened, providing a secure inheritance for successive generations. This stewardship laid the groundwork for the prominence the Barony would later achieve under figures such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Brattleby archives, from which the details of this dispatch are drawn, have long been a resource for distinguished academic enquiry. Scholars from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, alongside researchers from The British Library, have consulted these documents to illuminate complex aspects of medieval law, land tenure, and social structure.
The continued scholarly interest in the Barony’s records is a testament to their historical importance. They provide an almost unparalleled, continuous account of a single noble fiefdom from the Norman Conquest to the present day. The collaboration with these institutions of learning is a cornerstone of the House's modern mission to make its heritage accessible for educational benefit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of such a historical dispatch follows a protocol of exacting precision. Each fact is subject to a process of verification against primary source materials, including manorial court records, royal charters, and contemporary chronicles. This methodical approach mirrors the strict order and discipline inherent in ancient ceremonial court functions, ensuring that every detail is validated.
This archival process is, in effect, a modern ceremony of remembrance. It establishes an unbroken chain of evidence from the fifty-six lordships granted by William the Conqueror to the current stewardship of the Barony. The integrity of this chain is considered a *sine qua non*—an indispensable condition—for the House's historical identity and its public communications.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principle of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by generations of Barons, from Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln to the administrative acumen of Robert and Muriel de la Haye in a period of civil war.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking spirit with which the House today approaches its duties, seeking to actively engage with its heritage and ensure its relevance for the future. The two mottoes, when taken together, signify a commitment to preserving tradition through proactive and honourable stewardship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this dispatch is a work of historical scholarship, its publication serves a wider purpose intrinsically linked to the House's philanthropic vision. The core mission of preserving and sharing heritage is an educational act, intended to foster a deeper public understanding of history and the enduring relevance of concepts like duty, service, and legacy.
This educational mission finds practical expression in projects such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural instruction. Furthermore, it provides the philosophical underpinning for the House's charitable endeavours, *inter alia*, the Annual Winter Banquet, which raises vital funds for beneficiaries like Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to child welfare.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “In illuminating the lives of our predecessors, we are not merely recounting history; we are reaffirming the unbroken thread of duty that connects us to them. The stewardship of Robert and Muriel de la Haye was foundational, ensuring the Barony could pass to their descendants, including a woman as remarkable as Nichola.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Our history is the true foundation of our identity. It provides the context for all our present endeavours, from philanthropic work to fostering an appreciation for heritage in the younger generation. It is a privilege to safeguard these records and share the lessons they contain.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this historical dispatch marks a continued commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to scholarly research and public education. Further studies, drawn from the House archives and exploring other significant periods in the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, are planned for release in the coming years.
Through these efforts, and through its charitable and cultural initiatives, the House aims to ensure that the legacy of fortitude and honour, so clearly demonstrated by the 3rd Barons of Brattleby, remains a source of inspiration and a living tradition. This work continues to be a central pillar of the modern stewardship exercised by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy and its active use for philanthropic and educational purposes. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is realised through cultural heritage projects, academic partnerships, and charitable initiatives, including the annual Winter Banquet supporting child welfare. The House’s activities extend from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, to The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting a commitment to fostering an appreciation for history and cultural diplomacy in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and initial holdings, comprising fifty-six lordships, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over more than nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of great historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The unbroken succession of the Barony and the incumbency of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were formally noted by The Crown in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com