# A Statement on the Historical Significance of Lincoln Castle to the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a formal statement reaffirming the profound and enduring link between the Barony and Lincoln Castle, a site central to the title’s identity and duties since the Norman Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
From its commanding position atop Castle Hill, the ancient fortress of Lincoln has watched over the county of Lincolnshire for nearly a millennium. Its formidable curtain walls and Norman motte-and-bailey design, later augmented by a magnificent Georgian prison, stand as a testament to centuries of English history. On this occasion, The Noble House of Brattleby formally reflects on this shared heritage, acknowledging the castle not simply as stone and mortar, but as the physical embodiment of the Barony’s historical responsibilities.
The issuance of this declaration serves to connect the present leadership of the House with the long line of its predecessors. It is an act of historical stewardship, intended to illuminate for a modern audience the deep roots that bind the Barony of Brattleby to one of England’s most important strongholds.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection with Lincoln Castle is foundational, dating to its creation by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant landholder recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, was instrumental in establishing Norman authority in the region, with the newly constructed castle as his seat of power.
This link was most powerfully demonstrated by the fifth Baron de jure, Nichola de la Haye. As the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, she famously defended it against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Her resolute command during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was instrumental in securing victory for the young King Henry III. Her actions personified the baronial duty of loyalty to the Crown, a principle that became a *sine qua non* for the House. Later holders of the Barony, including the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, further solidified this connection to the highest echelons of the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the medieval period, the office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, held for generations by the Barons of Brattleby, was a position of immense trust and authority. The Constable was appointed directly by the monarch and served as their chief military and administrative representative in the county. The role carried with it the shrievalty of Lincolnshire, combining military command of the castle’s garrison with the civic duty of enforcing law and administering royal justice.
This fusion of military power and civil responsibility defined the character of the early Barony. The Constable was charged not only with defending the fortress but also with safeguarding the welfare of the shire’s inhabitants. The protocols of the office demanded unwavering allegiance, strategic acumen, and a profound commitment to governance, qualities that the modern House continues to uphold.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are codified in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words directly echo the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln Castle was a masterclass in both physical courage and principled leadership. Fortitude represents the resilience required to defend one’s obligations, whilst Honour signifies the integrity with which that duty must be discharged.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges in the pursuit of service, enterprise, and personal betterment, translating historical strength into constructive contemporary action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty of the Barons to protect and provide for the people of their domain has evolved into the modern House’s deep commitment to philanthropy. Just as the Constable of Lincoln Castle was entrusted with the welfare of the shire, the House today directs its efforts towards supporting the vulnerable and strengthening community bonds.
This is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s primary charitable endeavour. The beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. This focus reflects a continuation of the ancient duty of care, repurposed to meet the urgent social needs of the present day.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To walk the bailey of Lincoln Castle is to feel the weight of nine centuries of responsibility. The example of my predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, who governed with such fortitude, is not merely a historical footnote; it is a living standard to which we must hold ourselves accountable. Her story reminds us that honour is not inherited, but earned through service in every generation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The walls of the castle symbolise a legacy of strength. Our task today is to build upon those foundations, not with stone, but with meaningful contributions to society that honour the past while serving the future.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this formidable history informs its future endeavours. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is grounded in an understanding of this nine-hundred-year-old tradition of service. This commitment extends to the House’s cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded to promote the principles of decorum, social grace, and civic responsibility.
By actively engaging with its history and translating its core values for a new era, the House seeks to ensure that the legacy of Brattleby, so powerfully symbolised by Lincoln Castle, continues to be a force for good. The principles of fortitude and honour remain the guiding compass for the generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, funded by the Annual Winter Banquet. The House also engages in cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest established to foster principles of public service and personal conduct. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its commitment to serving the community with integrity and resilience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony 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 a major tenant-in-chief. For centuries, the Barony was linked to the hereditary constableship of Lincoln Castle, a role notably fulfilled by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron de jure, who defended the castle for the Crown in 1217. Subsequent holders included prominent figures of the English nobility, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and published by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are traced to Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399). - The House's philanthropic activities centre on the Annual Winter Banquet, a gala benefiting the children’s charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com