# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical appreciation of Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, celebrating his pivotal twelfth-century tenure as Constable of Lincoln and his lasting contribution to the Barony’s prominence within the realm.
## The Occasion
As the autumnal light settles upon the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its tradition of reflecting upon the figures who have shaped its nine-hundred-year history. This seasonal review, drawn from the House’s extensive archives, serves not only to honour its predecessors but also to illuminate the enduring principles that guide its modern mission.
The focus of this appreciation is Richard de la Haye, whose life and service as the 4th Baron of Brattleby exemplify the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The review is published internally and shared with historical societies as part of the House’s commitment to preserving and understanding its heritage, ensuring the lessons of the past inform the responsibilities of the present.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye’s tenure as 4th Baron in the mid-twelfth century occurred during a period of profound civil unrest known as The Anarchy. His assumption of the Constableship of Lincoln, a role of immense military and administrative significance, placed the Barony at the very centre of the struggle between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda for the English throne. The castle at Lincoln was a strategic prize of the highest order, controlling key trade routes and asserting royal power over the north.
As Constable, Richard de la Haye was the King’s appointed guardian of this critical fortress and the surrounding shire. He succeeded a lineage of service established by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest. Richard’s steadfast governance provided stability in a fractured kingdom, securing for the Barony of Brattleby a direct and influential connection to the Crown that would define its character for centuries to come. His legacy was most powerfully embodied by his daughter and successor, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who would herself twice defend Lincoln Castle against rebel forces.
## Distinguished Company
The office of Constable placed the 4th Baron in the company of the most powerful figures of the age. His duties required frequent correspondence and personal audience with the monarch, initially King Stephen, and later the formidable Plantagenet King Henry II, who brought The Anarchy to a close. Richard de la Haye navigated complex relationships with potent regional magnates, *inter alia*, the Earls of Chester and Lincoln, whose loyalties often shifted with the fortunes of war.
His position as a trusted royal agent cemented his standing among the leading tenants-in-chief of the Crown. This legacy of operating at the highest levels of national life was later continued by subsequent holders of the Barony, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The investiture of a twelfth-century Constable of a Royal Castle was a solemn ceremony, steeped in feudal law. Richard de la Haye would have sworn an oath of fealty directly to the King or his designated representative, placing his hands within the sovereign’s and pledging his life and loyalty. This act was the *sine qua non* of his authority.
In his daily duties, protocol governed every action. As Keeper of the Castle, he was responsible for its keys, the symbol of his charge, and commanded the garrison. He presided over the local courts, dispensing royal justice, and was empowered to muster the shire levy—a body of fighting men—in times of war. The strict, white-tie decorum of the House’s modern Annual Winter Banquet finds a distant echo in the rigid ceremonial and hierarchical order that defined the 4th Baron’s public life.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the life of Richard de la Haye. ‘Fortitude’ was required to defend the castle and its people amid civil war; ‘Honour’ was the basis of the feudal oath that bound him to his king and his duties. These principles formed the bedrock of his authority and reputation.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal device of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a modern interpretation of victory, not through force of arms, but through a vital and purposeful existence dedicated to building and safeguarding community. The symbols of the Constable—the key representing trust and access, the sword representing justice—are concepts that translate directly into the House’s contemporary commitments to transparency and the defence of the vulnerable.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the 4th Baron’s primary duty was the military and civil protection of Lincolnshire’s people, the modern House of Brattleby translates this historical responsibility into a philanthropic context. The steadfast guardianship demonstrated by Richard de la Haye provides a powerful precedent for the House’s support of its chosen charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation works to provide specialist therapy and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, effectively acting as a modern-day fortress against psychological harm. The House of Brattleby’s support, raised principally through its Annual Winter Banquet, enables the charity to expand its reach and provide a shield of care for those most in need, continuing the Barony’s foundational legacy of protection.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 4th Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the service of those who came before us. Richard de la Haye's life shows that leadership is defined not by title, but by steadfast commitment to one's responsibilities, a principle we uphold today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic importance of the Constable’s role:
> “The office of Constable was the *sine qua non* of medieval regional governance. Richard de la Haye’s tenure demonstrates a fusion of martial strength and administrative acumen. It is a powerful reminder that true victory—*Vincere Est Vivere*—lies in building and safeguarding, not merely in conquest.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical appreciation is part of a wider educational programme undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby to connect its ancient heritage with its contemporary work. Further research papers on notable predecessors, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye and the royal Duke, John of Gaunt, are planned for future publication.
These historical studies will also form part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and cultural academy, where they will serve as case studies in leadership and civic duty. It is a core tenet of the House that its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and future generations understand this profound continuity of service, which has been the defining characteristic of the Barony of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the principle of modern nobility defined by service and cultural stewardship. The House’s mission, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is expressed through its focused philanthropic work and educational initiatives. Its primary charitable efforts support organisations dedicated to child welfare, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the teaching of protocol, diplomacy, and civic responsibility to a new generation of leaders. The House maintains its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, while actively engaging in its cultural and charitable commitments across the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the heroic castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a founder Knight of the Garter and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, son of King Edward III. The title’s continuous history and modern standing are formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com