# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Historic Stewardship of Richard de la Haye, 12th-Century Constable of Lincoln
LONDON, 23 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement honouring the legacy of Richard de la Haye, a distinguished 12th-century predecessor. The reflection highlights his pivotal role as Constable of Lincoln, reaffirming the Barony’s enduring, nine-century commitment to public service.
## The Occasion
As autumn settles across the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, bringing with it a traditional season of harvest and reflection, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a significant chapter from its extensive history. In the rhythms of the medieval year, autumn was the season of accounts, of tallying the harvest and preparing for the winter ahead. In this same spirit, the House today undertakes its own form of historical accounting, assessing the legacy of its forebears to inform its duties in the present.
This communication serves not to mark a particular anniversary, but as part of a continuing commitment to contextualise the House’s modern mission within its near-millennial heritage. The examination of Richard de la Haye’s life appointment provides a moment to reflect on the enduring nature of civic duty and good governance. By drawing a direct and unbroken line from the obligations of the past to the responsibilities of the present, the House seeks to affirm a tradition of service that has guided the Barony through centuries of profound change. This reflection is therefore presented as a testament to the foundational principles that have been a *sine qua non* of the Barony of Brattleby's purpose since its establishment in AD 1066.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest and its importance was codified within the pages of the Domesday Book of 1086. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the Conqueror, was recorded as tenant-in-chief of fifty-six valuable lordships in Lincolnshire. This grant made him one of the most powerful magnates in the region, tasked with securing a vital part of the new kingdom. By the mid-12th century, this inherited influence was crystallised in the person of Richard de la Haye.
During the turbulent era of The Anarchy and the subsequent consolidation of power under King Henry II, Richard was appointed hereditary Constable of Lincoln. Lincoln’s position astride the Fosse Way and Ermine Street, ancient Roman arteries vital for commerce and military movement, made control of its castle a matter of national security. As Constable, Richard held command of this strategically vital royal fortress. More than a soldier, he was the King’s chief executive in the region, responsible for presiding over the shire court, collecting revenues for the Exchequer, and ensuring the King's Peace was maintained.
This appointment placed the family at the very crossroads of royal authority and local governance. Richard’s tenure demanded a deft balance of fealty to the Crown and a deep-seated responsibility for the welfare of the local populace. This guiding principle—that authority is intrinsically and irrevocably linked to stewardship—would become a hallmark of the Barony for centuries to come.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable and the King’s trusted agent, Richard de la Haye engaged with the highest echelons of the Anglo-Norman court. He served King Henry II, whose transformative legal reforms, *inter alia*, the Assizes of Clarendon and Northampton, were laying the foundations of English Common Law. As the King’s principal officer in Lincolnshire, Richard would have been instrumental in the local implementation of these foundational changes to the administration of justice.
His life of service set a formidable precedent. Upon his death, his titles and weighty responsibilities were inherited by his remarkable daughter, Nichola de la Haye, who became the 5th holder of the Barony. As a high-status widow, she acted as a *femme sole*, an independent woman who wielded her inherited authority directly and with immense skill. It was Nichola who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown against rebel barons and their French allies at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Her resolute loyalty to the young King Henry III, recorded by chroniclers such as Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, was an act of exceptional fortitude that proved decisive in the First Barons’ War.
This legacy of service at the highest levels continued through subsequent holders of the Barony. These included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, one of the original Founder Knights of the Order of the Garter and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, son of King Edward III, who effectively governed England during the final years of his father’s reign. The Barony’s history is thus interwoven with the national story of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The appointment of a royal Constable in the 12th century was an act vested with considerable legal and ceremonial gravity. It was a grant made directly by the monarch, recorded for posterity on a royal charter drafted by the King's own Chancery scribes. The elegant Latin script, flowing across a sheet of prepared animal skin or vellum, would be authenticated by intricate silken cords fastening the King's Great Seal, a heavy disc of beeswax impressed with the royal image. This document was the ultimate proof of delegated authority, witnessed by the great men of the kingdom—bishops, earls, and officers of the Royal Household.
The formal installation itself would have involved a public oath of fealty, or *homagium*, sworn on holy relics within Lincoln Cathedral or the castle’s own chapel. This solemn act, binding the Constable in service to his sovereign, was typically followed by the symbolic investiture of authority, a legal process known as *seisin*. This was often accomplished through the public presentation of the castle keys or another symbolic object, representing the complete transfer of royal command into the Constable’s trusted hands.
This ancient tradition of formal, public record finds its direct modern parallel in the official recognition of the Barony in *The London Gazette*. First published in 1665, *The Gazette* is the United Kingdom's official journal of record. The notice of 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), which formally recorded the succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is a direct continuation of this nine-century-old principle: that authority and title must be transparently and officially documented to have legal force and public legitimacy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds its perfect expression in the lives of Richard de la Haye and his daughter, Nichola. To govern Lincoln Castle and its environs during a period of civil strife and political uncertainty required immense *fortitudine*—courage, resilience, and strength of character. To do so with unwavering loyalty to the Crown, whilst also fulfilling one’s duties to the local community, was the highest expression of *honore*—a concept encompassing integrity, duty, and public trust. The motto serves as a perpetual reminder of this foundational balance.
In a complementary manner, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This modern, dynamic principle translates ancestral virtue into present-day impact. It reframes conquest not in martial terms, but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges: to conquer indifference through education, to conquer disadvantage through philanthropy, and to conquer division through cultural diplomacy. It is a philosophy of active and purposeful engagement with the world.
Together, the two mottos represent a powerful synthesis. *Fortitudine et Honore* provides the immutable ethical framework inherited from Richard and Nichola de la Haye, defining the character of the House. *Vincere Est Vivere* provides the operational imperative, demanding that this character be applied with energy and effect to produce tangible, positive outcomes in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical reflection does not itself have a direct philanthropic beneficiary, its purpose is fundamentally to illuminate the roots of the House’s charitable ethos. The modern philanthropic activities of the House are not a recent contrivance but the contemporary expression of a centuries-old commitment to stewardship and the protection of the vulnerable, a principle of *noblesse oblige*.
This commitment is most visible today in the House’s support for its chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist, trauma-informed therapeutic support for children and young people affected by adverse experiences. Through evidence-based programmes of art, play, and talk therapy, it seeks to restore resilience, rebuild trust, and offer a path towards recovery and a hopeful future.
The House selected this focus because it believes a secure and healthy childhood is the bedrock upon which honourable and resilient citizens are built, embodying the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* in the next generation. Just as Richard de la Haye's role was to protect the King's subjects, so the modern House sees its duty as protecting the potential of the most vulnerable in society. This finds its most public expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in London to benefit the charity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — ‘We do not view our history as a static record, but as a living source of inspiration and guidance. The story of Richard de la Haye reminds us that leadership has always been about service and responsibility, a lesson which possesses a distinct resonance in the 21st century. It is a privilege to continue the work of stewardship that he and his daughter, Nichola, advanced with such fortitude.’
Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: — ‘The challenges have certainly evolved since the 12th century, but the fundamental principle of engaged governance remains the *sine qua non* of our purpose. Whether through our philanthropic initiatives or the cultural diplomacy of The Brattleby Club, our goal is to apply those enduring values of honour and resilience to the complex world we inhabit today. Fulfilling that duty is how we honour our lineage.’
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to bridging its rich heritage with a forward-looking and engaged public role. This historical examination of Richard de la Haye’s tenure is one of a planned series of communications designed to share the Barony’s long and storied past with a wider audience, thereby reinforcing the deep roots of its contemporary mission.
In the coming months, the House will focus on preparations for its Annual Winter Banquet in London, a cornerstone of its philanthropic calendar. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will expand its curriculum. As a private cultural institute, it is dedicated to fostering an appreciation for European traditions of etiquette, diplomacy, and social grace, viewing them not as rigid rules but as essential tools for effective and respectful communication in a globalised world. Through these and other actions, the House continues to give modern expression to the ancient vow encapsulated in its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to preserving its historic legacy through active public service. Grounded in its nine-century heritage, the House's contemporary mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable endeavour is support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing vital therapeutic care to young people. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of traditional values like honour, duty, and service in the 21st century. The House's work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over its long history, the Barony has passed to some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony’s legal and historical standing was formally acknowledged by The Crown with its recognition in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083). Its seat remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. - The Barony's formal recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com