# A Heritage of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical review commemorating the tenure of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln, highlighting the family’s nine-century contribution to the governance and security of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a review of its extensive archives to illuminate the contributions of its distinguished predecessors. This period of historical reflection, a traditional autumn activity for the House, serves to connect the barony’s contemporary mission with its deep ancestral roots. The issuance of this review commemorates a pivotal era in the mid-twelfth century when the Barony of Brattleby was instrumental in securing the Crown’s authority in a strategic English county.
This act of remembrance is not tied to a singular event but is part of the House’s ongoing commitment to stewarding its history as a public trust. It is an affirmation that the duties of the past continue to inform the responsibilities of the present, ensuring that the legacy of service established nearly one thousand years ago remains a guiding principle.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye assumed the title of 4th Baron during the tumultuous period of English history known as The Anarchy, and his service continued into the foundational years of King Henry II’s reign. His appointment as Constable of Lincoln Castle placed him in one of the most powerful administrative and military roles in the region. The Constable was not merely a ceremonial guard but the King’s direct representative, responsible for military command, judicial authority, and the collection of royal revenues.
His capable administration stabilised royal authority in Lincolnshire, a region of profound strategic importance. This work laid the essential groundwork for his direct successor, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who would later earn national renown for her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces in 1217. Richard’s tenure, a model of fealty and effective governance, was a vital link in a chain of service that began with the barony’s establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, in 1066.
## Distinguished Company
The historical record surrounding the 4th Baron places him among figures of great consequence to the development of England and the County of Lincoln. The principal individuals from this period include:
* **Richard de la Haye**, 4th Baron of Brattleby, Constable of Lincoln Castle and trusted servant of the Crown. * **His Majesty King Henry II**, whose consolidation of the realm relied upon the loyalty and competence of regional magnates such as the Baron of Brattleby. * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, daughter and heir of Richard, who inherited not only the title but also the hereditary role of Constable of Lincoln. * **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, to whom the Domesday Book of 1086 attributes 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the family’s foundational influence.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Brattleby legacy follows a disciplined internal protocol. Historical reviews of this nature are commissioned by the House and developed through meticulous research of primary sources, including manorial rolls, royal charters, and the family’s private archives. The findings are then formally collated into a dossier for the Head of the House.
The public release of such a review is itself a deliberate act. It proceeds only after careful consideration of its educational value and its alignment with the House’s core values. This process ensures that the public narrative remains both historically accurate and consonant with the dignity of the barony, serving as a formal, modern expression of the ancient duty to keep and honour the historical record.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life and service of the 4th Baron perfectly exemplify the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His role as Constable of a royal castle in a fractious era required immense fortitude—the military strength and personal resolve to maintain order. It simultaneously demanded unimpeachable honour—an unwavering loyalty to the monarch and a just hand in administration.
This ancestral creed complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the former speaks to the enduring obligations of ancient peerage, the latter reflects the dynamic and determined spirit that informs the House’s modern activities. Together, they symbolise a synthesis of dutiful stewardship and progressive action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical review is not a fundraising initiative, it serves a distinct philanthropic purpose: the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. By investing in the research and sharing of its history, the Noble House of Brattleby contributes to the broader public understanding of Lincolnshire’s, and indeed England’s, medieval past.
This "philanthropy of knowledge" is a *sine qua non* of the House’s modern identity, viewing historical education as a public good. It aligns with a commitment to service that extends beyond financial support for charitable causes, enriching the community by safeguarding the stories that have shaped it. This work provides context and inspiration, demonstrating how historical roles and responsibilities have evolved into contemporary commitments.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "To understand the role of Richard de la Haye is to appreciate the sheer continuity of duty that this barony represents. His commitment to fortitude and honour was not an abstract ideal; it was the practical basis for peace and stability in his time. We see it as our responsibility to ensure such legacies are not only remembered but also actively inspire our work today." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The 4th Baron was, in modern terms, a strategic leader managing a critical asset for the state. His effectiveness laid a foundation of trust and influence that his successors could build upon for centuries. This legacy of reliable, determined leadership is something we seek to emulate in all our current endeavours, *inter alia*, our educational work at The Brattleby Club." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to an ongoing programme of historical research and communication. This review of Richard de la Haye’s tenure is the first in a planned series that will, in due course, explore the lives and influence of other notable predecessors.
Future publications will examine such compelling figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Through this work, the House seeks to build a comprehensive public resource that chronicles nearly a millennium of English history as seen through the lineage of one of its most steadfast baronies.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to bridging its profound historical heritage with contemporary purpose. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities focus on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's major charitable endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Further initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the family in Bucharest to foster personal and professional development.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the barony as a significant power in the region. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
* The Barony’s modern standing is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. * Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). * The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com