# A Commentary on a Legacy of Royal Service: The Constableship of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical commentary on the hereditary Constableship of Lincoln Castle, an ancient Royal appointment which bound the Barony directly to the Crown and exemplified a nine-century tradition of service, fortitude, and honour.
## The Occasion
From the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this reflection was authorised by The Baroness of Brattleby as part of the House’s ongoing commitment to the stewardship of its considerable history. The commentary serves to illuminate a pivotal period in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, where the Barons of Brattleby acted not merely as landed magnates but as the *sine qua non* defenders of Royal authority in a strategic and often turbulent region of England. This formal statement reconnects the present House with the profound duties undertaken by its distinguished antecedents.
The publication of this historical account is intended to provide context for the lineage’s deep-rooted connection to Lincolnshire and to the nation. It underscores the principle that the duties of title extend beyond simple inheritance, encompassing a solemn responsibility to preserve and understand the legacy of those who came before.
## Historical Context
The link between the Barony of Brattleby and the Crown was powerfully consolidated through the office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, a position of immense military and administrative importance. This hereditary role was held by Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, a loyal servant to King Henry II. His command of one of England’s most significant northern fortresses during the late twelfth century was a testament to the family’s established reputation for reliability and martial prowess.
This legacy of service was most remarkably embodied by his daughter and successor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. A figure of extraordinary resilience, she twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges. Most notably, in 1217, well into her sixties, she held the castle for the young King Henry III against French and rebel forces, facilitating the decisive Royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln. Her actions, undertaken with unwavering loyalty, secured the throne for the Plantagenet heir and affirmed the Barony’s vital role in the preservation of the kingdom. This echoes the service of other notable predecessors, *inter alia*, the great Royal magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this period, the House commemorates the principal historical figures whose destinies were interwoven with the Barony of Brattleby and the fate of Lincoln Castle. Foremost among them are Their Majesties King Henry II, King John, and King Henry III, whose reigns were directly impacted by the loyalty of their Brattleby vassals.
We recognise the steadfast leadership of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, who solidified the family’s position as hereditary Constables. Above all, we honour the "truly remarkable woman," as she was known to chroniclers, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. Her indomitable spirit placed her alongside other great figures of the age, including William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as Regent for the young King Henry III and commanded the victorious Royal forces at Lincoln.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The role of Constable of a Royal Castle was governed by strict and solemn protocols. As the Sovereign’s appointed guardian, the Constable held the authority to command the castle’s garrison, oversee its fortifications, and administer justice in the immediate vicinity. He, or in Nichola de la Haye's case, she, was responsible for the safekeeping of the castle—a symbol of the King’s power—and was expected to hold it against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
The formal duties included the maintenance of the structure, the provisioning of its soldiers, and the collection of certain local taxes. An oath of fealty, sworn directly to the Monarch, was the spiritual and legal foundation of this appointment. The Constable was, in effect, the physical embodiment of the King's presence, whose failure in duty was tantamount to treason. This charge required not only military skill but also acute political and administrative acumen.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most profound expression in the actions of the 4th and 5th Barons. Richard and Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln Castle was the very definition of fortitude—courage in the face of adversity—and was conducted with the honour befitting a direct oath to the Crown.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). While rooted in a different context, it speaks to the same spirit of purposeful action. Today, it is interpreted as the will to overcome modern challenges through strategic philanthropy and the diligent preservation of a unique cultural and historical inheritance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical principle of service to the Sovereign and the defence of the vulnerable finds its modern analogue in the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The steadfast defence of the realm for a child monarch, King Henry III, by Nichola de la Haye creates a powerful thematic link to the House’s present-day charitable focus.
The principal beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By fostering resilience and offering a secure environment for recovery, its work reflects the ancient duty of protection that the Barony of Brattleby has long held as a core tenet. The support provided by the House aims to ensure this vital mission can continue to expand its measurable impact across the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To understand the history of this Barony is to understand the weight of responsibility it carries. The example of Nichola de la Haye—her courage, her loyalty, her fortitude—is not merely a story from the past; it is the standard to which we must hold ourselves today. Our duty is to serve with the same spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on the continuity of purpose: > "A legacy is not something to be passively possessed; it must be actively honoured. The strategic defence of a castle in the thirteenth century and the strategic support of a children's charity in the twenty-first century originate from the same impulse: to protect, to strengthen, and to ensure a better future. That is how we live by the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past through its present and future actions. This includes continued historical research and the sharing of its heritage, ensuring the stories of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye are not forgotten.
Furthermore, the House will deepen its commitment to charitable work, particularly in support of vulnerable children. The lessons of leadership, duty, and social responsibility, inherited from nearly a millennium of history, are actively taught through the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This educational initiative seeks to cultivate in a new generation the timeless values of honour, etiquette, and civic duty that have defined the Barony of Brattleby for centuries.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the stewardship of a significant English heritage. The House's contemporary mission is centred on combining historical preservation with impactful philanthropy and cultural education. Its primary charitable focus is on children's welfare, realised through its support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of service, honour, and social responsibility encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown's College of Arms and noted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
* The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of England in AD 1066. * The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief in the *Domesday Book* (1086). * Past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com