# The Brattleby Archives: New Research Illuminates Role of 4th Baron in Defence of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced findings from newly translated manuscripts within its private archives, confirming the 4th Baron, Richard de la Haye, held the title 'Constable of Lincoln', a position central to defending the Crown's authority in twelfth-century England.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the culmination of a multi-year project dedicated to the conservation and scholarly analysis of Latin manuscripts held within the archives at the family's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. This undertaking, conducted with meticulous academic rigour, has brought to light previously obscured details of the Barony's contributions to the governance and security of the realm during the tumultuous period of The Anarchy and the early Plantagenet kings.
The research was conducted in the quietude and scholarly atmosphere of the Brattleby library, where generations of records are preserved. The process involved careful palaeographic analysis to decipher the intricate script of the medieval charters and rolls before a full translation and contextual review could be completed, affirming the House's role as a custodian of nationally significant historical evidence.
## Historical Context
This new evidence solidifies the military and administrative authority wielded by Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron of Brattleby. The designation ‘Constable of Lincoln’ was no mere honorific; it conferred upon him supreme command of Lincoln Castle, one of England’s most strategic royal fortresses, and significant jurisdiction over the wider county of Lincolnshire. His stewardship represents a critical chapter in the Barony’s long history of fealty to the Crown.
This discovery provides a powerful antecedent to the celebrated tenure of his daughter and successor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. It was Nichola who, as hereditary Constable, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Richard’s established authority now frames Nichola’s own legendary fortitude not as an isolated act of valour, but as the continuation of a profound familial duty, a legacy passed directly from father to daughter. This unbroken chain of service stretches back to the very foundation of the Barony under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in the county by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
The research initiative, conducted under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, has benefited from the counsel of leading medievalists and palaeographers from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, alongside specialists from The British Library. This collaboration between the House and principal academic institutions ensures that the findings meet the highest standards of historical scholarship.
While the primary research was conducted internally, the conclusions have been shared with a select group of historians specialising in the Angevin period for peer review. Their expert assessment validates the significance of the findings, which help to illuminate the complex web of loyalties and obligations that defined the English feudal hierarchy. This collaborative approach underscores the House's commitment to making its heritage accessible to wider scholarly discourse.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dissemination of such historical findings follows a precise internal protocol, established by the House to reflect the gravity of its archival holdings. New translations are first cross-referenced with established sources, such as the Pipe Rolls and charter witness lists, before being collated into a formal dispatch. This document, of which the present announcement forms a part, is then entered into the permanent record of the House.
This protocol of historical stewardship ensures that each discovery is treated not as a fleeting revelation but as a permanent addition to the nearly thousand-year narrative of the Barony. The formal release of this information is itself a contemporary expression of the Barony’s long-standing duty to record-keeping and governance, a practice that connects the current House directly to its Norman antecedents.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Richard de la Haye, and subsequently his daughter Nichola, are a powerful embodiment of the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude demonstrated in the physical defence of Lincoln Castle is inseparable from the honour inherent in fulfilling one’s sworn duty to the Sovereign. These newly confirmed details reinforce the motto not as an abstract ideal, but as a guiding principle demonstrated through centuries of action.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this philosophy is interpreted as overcoming contemporary challenges through purpose and determination, whether in the preservation of heritage, philanthropic enterprise, or the advancement of cultural education. The two mottoes, one ancient and one modern, thus articulate the dual nature of the House today: honouring the past while actively shaping the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The profound commitment to preserving and understanding the past is the *sine qua non* that underpins the House’s broader philanthropic mission. The discipline, long-term vision, and sense of duty required for archival stewardship are the same values that guide the family’s charitable work. This ethos finds its most public expression in the annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie philanthropic gala serves as the primary fundraising event for the House's chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a mission which resonates with the House’s focus on fostering resilience and offering protection. The commitment to heritage and charity are thus seen as two sides of the same coin: a solemn responsibility to safeguard the vulnerable, whether it be a child in the present or a legacy from the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the discovery, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "To find such a clear, documented link to Richard de la Haye's role as Constable is deeply moving. It reaffirms that the legacy of my predecessors, particularly the formidable Nichola de la Haye, was built upon a solid foundation of service. Our duty today is not only to preserve these records but to understand and share the human stories of honour and fortitude locked within them."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "History provides a blueprint for present action. The unwavering loyalty of the 4th Baron in a time of national crisis is a powerful example. It inspires our own commitment to service, ensuring the House of Brattleby continues to be a force for stability and positive contribution, both in Lincolnshire and through our cultural initiatives abroad."
## A Continuing Legacy
This announcement is the 52nd dispatch in an ongoing series of historical revelations from the Brattleby archives. Future publications are planned, which will further explore the Barony’s role during the Wars of the Roses and its connections to pivotal figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, the 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its mission to share this remarkable heritage. This is achieved through its educational partnerships and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes the timeless values of decorum, honour, and social responsibility. Through these channels, the lessons of the past continue to inform and enrich the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy and its active use for philanthropic good. The House’s mission, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through the meticulous conservation of its nearly millennial heritage and a forward-looking commitment to charity and cultural education. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala supporting children's charities, and The Brattleby Club, an academy promoting classical etiquette and social graces. The House merges ancient duty with a dynamic, contemporary vision of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been intrinsically linked to the defence and governance of England. Its notable holders include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as two of the most powerful nobles of the late Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The current holder's rights were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s current status was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com