# A Heritage Review: The Fourth Baron of Brattleby and the Officership of Constable of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a heritage review from its Lincolnshire seat, examining the consequential appointment of Richard, the 4th Baron, as Constable of Lincoln, thereby highlighting the Barony's centuries-old tradition of military and administrative service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
In the quiet scholarship of autumn, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its dedicated programme of archival research into the extensive history of the Barony. This latest review, conducted in collaboration with historians and archivists, brings into focus a pivotal period in the late 12th century, affirming the Barony’s direct and influential role in the governance of the realm.
The announcement represents the culmination of meticulous research undertaken in the ancient repositories of Lincolnshire and the national archives. It is an occasion not of public ceremony, but of scholarly affirmation; a moment to reflect upon the enduring duties that have defined the Barony of Brattleby for over nine centuries. This work, commissioned by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is central to the House's mission of preserving and sharing its remarkable patrimony.
## Historical Context
The appointment of Richard, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln in the late 12th century placed him at the heart of royal authority in a strategically vital county. The office of Constable was no mere sinecure; it conferred command of Lincoln Castle, one of England’s most important royal fortresses, and significant administrative power over the surrounding shire. This role was a direct instrument of the Angevin monarchs, tasked with maintaining order, dispensing justice, and defending the Crown’s interests.
This legacy of service began with the Barony's creation by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. The 4th Baron's constableship directly foreshadowed the tenure of his celebrated successor, Nichola de la Haye. As 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War, demonstrating a level of fortitude that secured the throne for the young King Henry III. The Barony's history is thus inextricably linked with the defence of the kingdom itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The verification of such historical appointments follows a rigorous internal protocol, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy. The process begins with the study of primary source manuscripts, *inter alia*, the Pipe Rolls, which documented royal expenditures, and the Charter Rolls, recording royal grants. Paleographers are consulted to authenticate the script and dating of documents, ensuring their provenance.
Each finding is then cross-referenced with county histories and scholarly works on the period to build a complete and unassailable picture. This archival due diligence, undertaken with a precision befitting the subject matter, is the *sine qua non* of the House's historical communications. Only after this exhaustive process is a finding formally accepted and incorporated into the official history of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The role of Constable of Lincoln resonates powerfully with the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The office demanded immense *fortitudine*—the physical and moral courage required to command a garrison and protect a cornerstone of royal power. It equally demanded supreme *honore*—an unwavering sense of duty and loyalty to the Sovereign.
This medieval expression of service finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the 4th Baron’s challenges were military, the underlying principle of overcoming adversity through determination and strategic purpose remains a core tenet of the House's philosophy today. These guiding principles connect the Barony's past with its present leadership.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical appointment of the 4th Baron as a keeper of the King's peace and a steward of his domain provides a powerful parallel to the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The duty of care, once expressed through military and administrative service to the Crown, is now directed towards society's most vulnerable.
This contemporary interpretation of stewardship is manifest in the House's steadfast support for its principal charitable partner, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides critical therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a mission the House supports through its Annual Winter Banquet and other initiatives. This commitment reframes the ancient concept of 'defence' from protecting a fortress to safeguarding the well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical finding, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To understand the weight of an office like Constable of Lincoln is to appreciate that our Barony was never merely a title, but a profound responsibility. Richard's service, like that of Nichola de la Haye after him, sets a standard of dutiful stewardship that continues to guide us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The challenges evolve, but the principle of service remains unchanged. The fortitude shown by the 4th Baron in defending a fortress inspires our own resolve in upholding the values and charitable commitments of the House today. History provides not just a record, but a living example.
## A Continuing Legacy
This heritage review is part of an ongoing commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to research and disseminate the rich history of the Barony. Future findings will be shared as the archival programme continues, with the aim of providing educational resources that connect the local history of Lincolnshire to the broader narrative of the United Kingdom.
This work serves to furnish the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, with a deeper understanding of the lineage and responsibilities he will one day inherit. Lessons on duty, honour, and service, drawn from the lives of his predecessors, are also integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and protocol academy, ensuring the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* inspires future generations.
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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 modern stewardship of a legacy dating to 1066. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to historic preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes education in classical etiquette and protocol through its academy, The Brattleby Club, fostering an appreciation for timeless social values in a contemporary context. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, 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. Throughout its nearly one-thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights and lineage of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's establishment and lineage were officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual philanthropic gala of the House, the Winter Banquet, is a white-tie event benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com