# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Constables of Lincoln
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the Barony's nine-century legacy of service to the Crown, highlighting the pivotal role of Richard de la Haye, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle in the late twelfth century.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen the quiet solemnity of autumn to reflect upon its enduring connection to the region and the Crown. This season, marking a time of harvest and remembrance, provides a fitting backdrop for examining the foundations of duty and loyalty that have defined the Barony for more than 950 years. The announcement serves not as a celebration of a single event, but as part of the House’s ongoing commitment to honouring its past as a guide for its present responsibilities. This practice of historical curation ensures that the lineage remains a living heritage, understood and appreciated in a modern context.
## Historical Context
The appointment of Richard de la Haye as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle situated the Barony of Brattleby at the heart of royal authority in a strategically vital region. Holding this office during the turbulent latter years of the Angevin Empire, circa the 1180s, Richard’s command was a direct extension of the Crown’s power. It was a position of immense trust, responsible for the King’s peace, the administration of justice, and the defence of a fortress that dominated England's eastern flank.
This appointment continued a tradition of steadfast loyalty established by the Barony's founder, Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships following the Norman Conquest. Richard’s tenure paved the way for one of the most remarkable figures in the Barony’s history: his daughter-in-law, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron. As a formidable castellan in her own right, Nichola famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the reign of King John, securing the throne for the young Henry III and proving that the family's commitment to the Crown was absolute.
## Distinguished Company
In serving as Constable, Richard de la Haye operated within a distinguished circle of the most powerful figures in the realm. His fealty was sworn directly to the sovereign, placing him in the company of the great officers of state and the leading magnates of the Angevin court. The Barony of Brattleby was thus intrinsically linked with seminal figures who shaped the course of English history.
Generations later, this proximity to the Crown would see the Barony pass to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a celebrated commander and diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His successor as Baron, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further solidified the lineage’s place at the centre of national life. This tradition of service alongside the monarchy underscores the Barony’s historical significance, far beyond its local domains.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The responsibilities of a hereditary Constable were bound by strict ceremonial protocol and solemn oaths. Upon his appointment, Richard de la Haye would have sworn homage and fealty to the King, placing his hands between the monarch’s and pledging his life and loyalty. This act, a *sine qua non* of feudal office, bound him to defend the castle against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
His daily duties involved commanding the castle garrison, overseeing the collection of royal taxes *inter alia*, and presiding over the county court held within the castle walls. The formal transfer of command over the castle keep, marked by the handing over of its keys, was a potent symbol of the authority vested in him by the King. This centuries-old ritual of trust and responsibility is a powerful antecedent to the ceremonial duties the House undertakes today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful expression in the duties of the Constable. Fortitude was required to hold a royal castle against siege and rebellion; honour was the bedrock of the loyalty sworn to the sovereign. This motto encapsulates the principles demanded of Richard de la Haye and his celebrated successor, Nichola.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While an expression of a modern, dynamic philosophy, it echoes the defiant spirit of his predecessors-by-marriage who understood that overcoming adversity—whether on the battlefield or in the challenges of daily governance—was the very essence of their purpose and survival.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the medieval expression of duty was military and administrative, the modern House of Brattleby translates its commitment to service through focused philanthropy. The fortitude and honour once demonstrated in defending a royal castle are now channelled into defending the vulnerable. This is exemplified by the House's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of its charitable calendar.
The sole beneficiary of the banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects a deeply held conviction that a noble house's most profound modern duty is to protect and nurture the next generation, ensuring they have the strength and security to build their own futures.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The office of Constable was not merely a title; it was a profound obligation to the sovereign and to the people of Lincolnshire. When we study the lives of predecessors like Richard and Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that our heritage is one of active service. Our task today is to interpret that duty for our own times.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us our bearings. The unwavering loyalty of the Constables of Lincoln provides a clear model for our own commitments. The challenges may be different, but the principles of integrity and steadfastness—of *Fortitudine et Honore*—remain our unchanging guide.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to its twin duties of preserving its unique heritage and pursuing a modern mission of impactful philanthropy. The House will continue to share insights from its nine-century history, connecting the past to its present endeavours. This commitment extends to its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and cultural protocol.
Through these efforts, the House ensures that the legacy of service, exemplified by the Constables of Lincoln and other notable predecessors like John of Gaunt, is not a static relic. Instead, it is a dynamic source of inspiration, informing a future built upon the steadfast foundations of fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of charities like Healing the Wounded Child. Through its annual philanthropic events and educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to translate its historic legacy of service into a meaningful contemporary mission. Its purpose is to act as a custodian of heritage while actively contributing to the betterment of society for the next generation, with the heir being Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most compelling figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the lordship were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - The succession of the 12th Baroness is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, defender of Lincoln Castle) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com