# A Legacy Forged in Norman England: The House of Brattleby on the Stewardship of the Third Barons
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical dispatch detailing the pivotal contributions of Robert and Muriel de la Haye, the third Barons of Brattleby, whose twelfth-century leadership was instrumental in consolidating the Barony’s influence in Lincolnshire and across England.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has released the latest in a series of historical publications aimed at illuminating its near-millennial heritage. This dispatch, drawn from the meticulously preserved Brattleby archives, coincides with the autumn season, a traditional time of reflection and scholarly pursuit. The research underscores a profound commitment, central to the modern House’s mission, to not only conserve its history but to share its lessons with a wider audience. This initiative seeks to make the chronicles of the Barony—from its Norman origins to its modern stewardship—more accessible than ever before.
The announcement was made from the Library at Brattleby, a room that has served for generations as the intellectual heart of the estate, housing charters and records that chart the course of English history. The dispatch represents the confluence of ancient duty and modern communication, continuing a tradition of record-keeping that began with the Barony’s first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Historical Context
The foundations of the Barony of Brattleby were laid by Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was his son and heir, Robert de la Haye, who, alongside his wife Muriel, undertook the vital work of consolidating this vast inheritance. Their strategic marriage and adept management solidified the family’s position within the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, transforming a disparate collection of manors into a cohesive and powerful feudal barony.
This period of consolidation was a *sine qua non* for the Barony’s future prominence. The stability established by the third Barons enabled their direct descendant, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, to serve as the fifth Baroness and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Her legendary defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217, an act of supreme fortitude, would have been inconceivable without the secure territorial and political base her ancestors had built. This unbroken thread of service connects through to the tenure of later holders, including Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron, demonstrating the Barony’s enduring significance to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The research underpinning this historical dispatch was informed by consultations with leading figures in medieval scholarship, an approach the House of Brattleby considers essential for historical accuracy and context. The House has long fostered relationships with academic institutions to ensure its archives are correctly interpreted and preserved.
Advisors to this and related projects have included, *inter alia*, senior academics from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, whose expertise in feudal law and palaeography has proven invaluable. The House also acknowledges the collaborative guidance of curators from The British Library, who have assisted in cross-referencing the Brattleby charters with documents of national importance held within the royal and national collections.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The study of the House’s archives adheres to a strict protocol befitting the historical weight of the documents. The sources for this dispatch—including entries in the Pipe Rolls, witness lists on royal charters, and manorial court records—are housed in the Brattleby Muniment Room. Access is carefully controlled to protect the fragile vellum and parchment from environmental damage.
Each document is handled according to rigorous archival conservation standards. Specialist scholars invited to consult the materials do so under supervision, and a long-term digitisation project is underway to create high-resolution facsimiles. This methodical process ensures that the physical evidence of the Barony’s history is preserved for future generations, while its contents are made available for contemporary study. The protocol reflects the same precision and order that governed the medieval household and its record-keeping.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words resonate powerfully with the legacy of the third Barons. Robert and Muriel de la Haye demonstrated immense fortitude in navigating the complex feudal politics of the twelfth century, securing their lands and legacy. They acted with honour in fulfilling their duties to their sovereign and their tenants, a principle of stewardship that remains central to the House today.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment reflects the dynamic spirit of the current leadership, which interprets 'conquest' not as a martial pursuit, but as the active and energetic engagement with the challenges and opportunities of the modern world, from philanthropy to cultural diplomacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the study of history is a core activity, the House of Brattleby is profoundly committed to translating its historical ethos of duty into tangible, present-day action. The principle of service, demonstrated by generations of Barons, finds its modern expression in the House’s philanthropic work. This commitment is most publicly realised through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising event.
The sole beneficiary of the Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The charity’s work in fostering resilience and recovery in the young aligns perfectly with the House’s belief in nurturing a stronger future. The decision to support this cause is a direct reflection of the House’s foundational duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “History is not a passive collection of facts; it is an active conversation with those who came before us. In the story of Robert and Muriel, we see the blueprint for responsible stewardship—a reminder that our duty is not simply to hold, but to build and to strengthen for those who will follow.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective: > “Understanding how our predecessors navigated their world with such foresight provides a powerful model for our own commitment to building a lasting legacy. Their strategic vision, which secured the Barony for centuries, inspires our work today, whether through cultural education at The Brattleby Club or our support for vital charitable causes.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of this dispatch is part of an ongoing commitment to historical education and preservation. The House of Brattleby will continue to release further research exploring the lives of its notable predecessors and their impact on the development of Lincolnshire and the nation. Future plans include an academic symposium focused on the role of powerful women in the medieval period, inspired by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye.
These initiatives proceed in parallel with preparations for the upcoming Annual Winter Banquet. Above all, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to ensuring their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is raised with a deep understanding of the history he will one day inherit, instilling in him the guiding principle of the House: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a mission that blends historical preservation with contemporary purpose. Its activities are focused on three core pillars: stewardship of the Barony’s nine-century heritage; impactful philanthropy, primarily through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child at the Annual Winter Banquet; and cultural education, promoted through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to create a positive and lasting legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony's extensive landholdings were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists Colswein as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and granted to Colswein of Lincoln. Its holdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the Barony’s lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House of Brattleby’s philanthropic work is centred on its Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com