# A Heritage Review: The Office of Constable and the Legacy of Brattleby in Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 23 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical review on the mid-12th century appointment of Richard de la Haye as Constable of Lincoln, reaffirming the Barony’s nine-hundred-year commitment to the civic and military life of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From the archives at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has undertaken a scholarly review of its lineage, focusing upon periods of profound regional significance. This dispatch reflects on the critical era of 'The Anarchy' and the role the Barony played in providing stability. It is an exercise in historical stewardship, intended to illuminate the principles that continue to guide The Noble House of Brattleby in the twenty-first century.
The review draws upon charters, pipe rolls, and chronicles of the period, contextualising the Barony’s influence not merely as a title of land ownership, but as a sworn duty of service. This commitment to historical understanding is considered a *sine qua non* for the House's modern mission, providing a foundation of continuity that stretches back almost a millennium.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye’s appointment as Constable of Lincoln occurred during the tumultuous civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda (1135–1153). In this period, known as The Anarchy, control of strategic fortresses like Lincoln Castle was paramount. The Constable was the monarch’s trusted representative, wielding immense authority over both military and judicial affairs within the county.
His tenure ensured that the Barony of Brattleby was central to the defence of the realm and the administration of royal justice in a fiercely contested region. This responsibility was passed to his granddaughter, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baron, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War, demonstrating the same fortitude that characterised her ancestor’s service. Her unwavering loyalty to King John and the young Henry III secured the Plantagenet succession, an act of historic consequence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of a hereditary Constable in the 12th century was one of substantive power, not merely ceremonial honour. The Constable held the castle in the King’s name, commanding its garrison and overseeing its maintenance and provisioning. He was, in effect, the custodian of the keep, or *donjon*, the fortress's ultimate strongpoint.
Furthermore, the Constable exercised significant legal authority, presiding over the castle-guard court and enforcing the King’s Peace throughout the shire. His duties included the detention of prisoners, the execution of writs, and the collection of fines. The appointment was a profound expression of royal trust, granting the holder powers of life, death, and law within his jurisdiction, all sworn by an oath of fealty to the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the actions of predecessors such as Richard and Nichola de la Haye. Their governance required immense fortitude—the physical and moral strength to defend a vital stronghold against prolonged siege—and a deep sense of honour in their unwavering allegiance to their sovereign.
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'). While rooted in a different context, it echoes the same spirit of overcoming adversity, whether on the medieval battlefield or in the challenges of modern leadership and philanthropy. The House arms, therefore, serve as a constant reminder of the virtues required to maintain and advance its long heritage.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “The story of Richard de la Haye is a powerful lesson in duty. It demonstrates that from its earliest days, the Barony was defined not by privilege, but by profound responsibility to the people and security of Lincolnshire. This principle of service, a commitment to act with fortitude and honour, remains the compass that guides our House today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History provides the framework through which we understand our present obligations. The steadfastness shown at Lincoln Castle nine centuries ago inspires our own efforts to build and support resilient communities, be it through cultural education or our philanthropic work.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The charge held by the Constable of Lincoln in the twelfth century—to protect, to govern, and to serve—has evolved but not diminished. Today, The Noble House of Brattleby continues this legacy through its commitment to cultural preservation, its support for charitable organisations, and its encouragement of personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, represents a modern interpretation of this historic duty. The focus has shifted from military defence to social welfare, yet the fundamental principle of using one's position for the betterment of the community remains unchanged. The House looks to its future, embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, to carry this nine-hundred-year tradition forward.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her family in their public and charitable duties. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active promotion of community welfare, cultural education, and philanthropic service. Led by Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House’s contemporary mission is focused on supporting vulnerable children and championing the value of etiquette and civic duty. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House maintains a global outlook, reflecting its commitment to both local tradition and international engagement in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant 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 succession of the title to the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, detailed in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com