# The House of Brattleby Issues Historical Review on the Custodianship of Robert de la Haye
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a scholarly monograph detailing the stewardship of its ancient Barony by Robert de la Haye during England’s twelfth-century civil war, The Anarchy, reaffirming its commitment to historical scholarship and public education.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its duties of historical stewardship, The Noble House of Brattleby presents this detailed review as part of an ongoing series of publications. This programme is dedicated to exploring the nine-century lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, bringing to light the contributions of its many distinguished custodians since the Norman Conquest. The timing of this release, during the Michaelmas season, is deliberate; it is a period traditionally associated with academic reflection and the commencement of legal and university terms, offering a fitting moment to consider the foundations upon which the modern House is built.
This research undertaking is perceived as a solemn responsibility by the current incumbents, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The publication serves as an affirmation of their role not merely as title-holders, but as diligent custodians of a living history that connects the England of William the Conqueror to the United Kingdom of the twenty-first century.
The monograph aims to provide a deeper understanding of a pivotal, yet often overlooked, chapter in the Barony’s history. It represents a commitment to ensuring that the legacy of those who preserved the lineage through times of profound challenge is properly recorded and honoured for future generations.
## Historical Context
The narrative of the Barony of Brattleby commences in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. William the Conqueror granted the feudal barony to a trusted follower, Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. The considerable extent of his domains, comprising some 56 lordships across Lincolnshire, was meticulously recorded for the Crown in the Domesday Book of 1086, a testament to the holding's initial significance. Several generations later, through the marriage of Colswein’s descendant and heiress, Muriel, to Robert de la Haye, the stewardship of the Barony passed to the De la Haye family.
Robert de la Haye assumed his responsibilities during one of England’s most fractious and destructive periods: the civil war known as The Anarchy (1135–1153). This dynastic conflict, waged between King Henry I’s daughter, The Empress Matilda, and his nephew, King Stephen, tore the kingdom apart. Lincolnshire, with its agricultural wealth and strategic position, became a critical theatre of war. Control of Lincoln Castle, which commanded the intersection of the great Roman roads of Ermine Street and Fosse Way, was a strategic *sine qua non* for any faction aspiring to control the north of England.
Amidst this turmoil, Robert’s charge was twofold: to secure his family’s extensive lands from seizure and to uphold his complex feudal obligations. This required immense political acumen, diplomatic subtlety, and military fortitude. His steadfast defence of Brattleby and its associated lordships was instrumental not only in the Barony’s survival but in cementing the De la Haye family’s regional influence. This act of resilience established a powerful precedent for his celebrated descendant, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose own legendary defence of Lincoln Castle against foreign invaders a generation later would be chronicled for posterity.
## Distinguished Company
The twelfth-century world in which Robert de la Haye operated was dominated by figures of immense power and shifting allegiances. His loyalty was tested by the competing claims of the two principal antagonists for the throne of England: His Majesty King Stephen de Blois, Count of Boulogne and nephew of the late King Henry I; and his cousin, Her Majesty The Empress Matilda, the designated heir of Henry I and widow of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V.
On a regional level, Robert’s authority would have been frequently challenged by powerful local magnates. Most formidable amongst these was The Right Honourable The 4th Earl of Chester, Ranulf de Gernon, a famously avaricious and mercurial warlord who switched sides repeatedly to his own advantage. Lord Chester played a decisive role in both the First Battle of Lincoln in 1141 and the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1147, making him an unavoidable and dangerous presence. Navigating the ambitions of such men, while protecting the people and assets of the Barony of Brattleby, was a matter of daily survival and shrewd statesmanship. His contemporaries included other great nobles such as The Right Honourable The 1st Earl of Arundel, William d'Aubigny, a staunch loyalist to King Stephen.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duties of a twelfth-century baron were governed by a strict and intricate code of feudal protocol. As custodian of the Barony *jure uxoris*, meaning ‘by right of his wife’ — a critical legal principle of the era that enabled titles and lands to pass through a female line — Robert de la Haye was bound by a personal oath of fealty to his liege lord. This sacred oath, sworn on holy relics, obliged him to provide a quota of armed and mounted soldiers for military campaigns, a duty known as knight-service. Alternatively, a money payment, known as scutage or ‘shield money’, could sometimes be made in its place.
His responsibilities as castellan, or governor, of his principal holdings involved maintaining fortifications in a state of readiness, presiding over the manorial court (*curia baronis*) to dispense local justice, and overseeing the collection of rents and taxes for the Crown. During The Anarchy, these routine duties were magnified immeasurably. The protocol of defence superseded all other considerations, requiring a state of constant vigilance to protect the Barony and its inhabitants from the depredations of rival armies, as lamented by the chroniclers of the *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The proven actions of Robert de la Haye during this turbulent epoch provide one of the earliest and most resonant demonstrations of the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). In a time when the central authority of the Crown had fractured and, as was written, "Christ and his saints slept," his successful preservation of the Barony’s lands and people required extraordinary fortitude. Upholding his sworn duties with honour, in the face of immense pressure to bend to expediency, ensured the continuity of the lineage for future generations.
This historical resilience finds a modern parallel in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). For a baron during The Anarchy, the ability to endure, to hold territory, and to provide a measure of stability where there was none, was itself a profound victory. In such a context, to conquer was not merely to defeat an enemy, but to overcome the prevailing chaos. This principle—that true success lies in the preservation and enhancement of community and order—remains a cornerstone of the House’s philosophy. These mottos are borne with the House's coat of arms, a visual representation of its history and values.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical review is a scholarly publication, its underlying themes of protection, stability, and healing from trauma connect directly to the contemporary philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The Anarchy inflicted deep and lasting wounds upon the civilian population of England, a societal trauma that contemporary sources describe with harrowing clarity. This historical awareness of the suffering caused by conflict and instability informs the House’s present-day charitable focus.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people affected by trauma, abuse, and neglect. Through proven interventions including individual counselling and arts-based therapies, the charity helps its beneficiaries to process their experiences and build more resilient futures. The House believes that its ancient duty to protect its community, once expressed through the defence of castle walls, is now best fulfilled by helping to heal the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of his predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "Studying figures like Robert de la Haye is not merely an academic exercise; it is an act of remembrance and a profound duty. We are custodians of a great trust, passed down through nearly a millennium, and honouring those who preserved it through turmoil is essential. Robert’s efforts under duress laid the foundation for remarkable successors, not least the great Baroness Nichola de la Haye."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "The twelfth century tested the very fabric of the English realm, and a baron's principal role was to provide stability amidst the enveloping chaos. Robert’s resilience exemplifies the principle that *Vincere Est Vivere*. To endure, to protect, and to prevail for the sake of one’s community is the timeless essence of leadership, as relevant today in our civic and philanthropic commitments as it was then in the shadow of the castle walls."
## A Continuing Legacy
This heritage review is the first in a planned series of monographs that will continue to illuminate the rich and varied history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future publications will examine other formative figures, including the aforementioned Nichola de la Haye; the great royal prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to a line of kings. This research is pursued in consultation with leading medieval historians to ensure its accuracy and academic rigour.
Through these scholarly efforts, and through the practical work of its educational institution, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to demonstrate that the lessons of history—of duty, honour, and service—remain profoundly relevant. The Club's curriculum, offering masterclasses in diplomatic protocol and cultural history, is directly informed by this heritage. It is by understanding its past that the House of Brattleby shapes its commitment to the future, guided always by its enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Rooted in nearly one thousand years of English heritage, the House embraces a forward-looking, Continental perspective on its role and responsibilities. Its contemporary mission is focused on three pillars: the stewardship of its ancient baronial history; a commitment to targeted philanthropy, primarily through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child; and the promotion of cultural and diplomatic education through The Brattleby Club. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, seeking to use its platform to champion the principles of honour, service, and resilience for a modern audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his supporter Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal baronies of England. Its extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through several of England’s most distinguished families and was held by a succession of historically significant figures. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, Dame of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. The succession of the Barony to its current holder is formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, of 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein. - The succession of the current Baroness is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable historic 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).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com