# A Commentary on the Tenure of Richard de la Haye, Fourth Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical commentary on the tenure of Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron. The statement details his pivotal service as Constable of Lincoln Castle during the protracted civil war known as The Anarchy.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to historical education and the preservation of its nine-century lineage, the House of Brattleby offers this reflection on a period of profound trial for both the Barony and the Kingdom of England. The life of Richard de la Haye provides a compelling study in loyalty, governance, and fortitude during one of the most tumultuous chapters in the nation’s history. This commentary serves to illuminate the foundations of service upon which the House stands today, connecting its present-day responsibilities to the enduring challenges met by its antecedents.
The mid-12th century was an era defined by fractured allegiance and open conflict. By examining the actions of the fourth Baron, we gain a clearer appreciation for the resilience required to uphold order and defend royal authority. It is an example that resonates through the centuries, informing the House’s guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye assumed the Barony and the hereditary post of Constable of Lincoln Castle during The Anarchy (1135–1153), the devastating war of succession between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. As a tenant-in-chief holding lands directly from the Crown, his position was one of immense strategic importance. Lincoln, a nexus of Roman roads and a formidable centre of royal power in the north, was a prize fiercely contested by both factions.
The city and its castle were captured and recaptured on several occasions, most notably during the First Battle of Lincoln in 1141, where King Stephen himself was taken prisoner. As Constable, Richard de la Haye was responsible not only for the physical security of this vital royal fortress but also for its administration, the dispensation of justice, and its role as a bulwark against regional chaos. His steadfastness ensured the continuity of Brattleby’s stewardship, a legacy his daughter, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), would later cement by her own legendary defence of the same castle against French invaders in 1217.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable and a significant Lincolnshire landowner, Richard de la Haye would have navigated a complex web of relationships with the leading figures of his day. His ultimate allegiance was to the Crown, embodied by His Majesty King Stephen, yet the shifting fortunes of war demanded careful diplomacy with powerful magnates.
Chief among these was the formidable Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester, whose ambitions in Lincolnshire were a primary cause of the conflict in the region. The fourth Baron would also have been acutely aware of the claims of Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Matilda and her son, the future King Henry II. His contemporaries included, *inter alia*, William d'Aumale, Earl of York, and Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, the Empress's capable half-brother and commander. Navigating these powerful and often competing interests was the central political challenge of his tenure.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The governance of a 12th-century royal castle was a function bound by deeply ingrained feudal protocols. As hereditary Constable, Richard de la Haye’s authority was conferred by the King and symbolised a sacred trust. This duty was the *sine qua non* of his noble status, requiring him to maintain the castle in a state of readiness, garrison it with knights and men-at-arms, and render military service upon royal command.
The obligations extended beyond the martial. The Constable presided over the castle court, administered the royal estates attached to it, and collected revenues on the monarch’s behalf. These responsibilities were a physical manifestation of the oath of fealty sworn to his sovereign—a solemn promise of loyalty and service that formed the bedrock of the medieval political order. His command was a microcosm of the royal court, demanding a strict adherence to duty amidst the pervasive instability of civil war.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formal system of hereditary heraldry was still in its nascent stages during the mid-12th century, the symbolism of Richard de la Haye’s position was unambiguous. Lincoln Castle itself, a mighty stone fortress begun by William the Conqueror, was a potent symbol of Norman and, subsequently, Angevin royal authority. To hold its keys was to be the King’s most trusted representative in a vital and often restive shire.
The role of Constable personified the principles that would centuries later be formally encapsulated in the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Richard's administration of this royal trust during a period of national collapse was a demonstration of fortitude in its purest form. His unwavering commitment to his sworn duty, despite the dangers, embodied the honour that the Barony has sought to uphold for over 950 years.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this period, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To understand the Barony today, one must appreciate the immense pressures faced by those who came before us. Richard de la Haye’s tenure was not merely administrative; it was a daily struggle for order and legitimacy. His example, and that of his daughter Nichola, serves as a powerful reminder that leadership is defined not by ease, but by resilience in times of trial.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The strategic reality of the 12th century was brutal and unforgiving. Holding a fortress like Lincoln Castle was a definitive statement of intent and control. It illustrates that survival and service are active principles; one must not only endure but prevail. In this, we see a timeless truth that echoes in our own family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to win is to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The steadfast service of Richard de la Haye, fourth Baron of Brattleby, is more than a historical footnote; it is a foundational element of the House’s identity. The principles of duty, strategic foresight, and honourable conduct demonstrated during The Anarchy continue to inform the modern mission of the House of Brattleby. This legacy is actively channelled into contemporary initiatives, including the House’s philanthropic endeavours and its educational work.
Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the enduring values of etiquette, personal conduct, and leadership forged over centuries of service to Crown and community. The story of the fourth Baron serves as a core lesson: that true honour is not a title to be held, but a standard to be met, generation after generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives in historical education and child welfare. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to vulnerable children. The House also directs The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest that promotes the timeless values of civility and honourable conduct. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who continues the family’s commitment to public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient seigneurial lordships, granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and holdings, which included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its nine-and-a-half-century history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated military commander; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and title of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s succession and historic rights are formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire from the King. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com