# On the Office of Constable of Lincoln and the Service of the 4th Baron of Brattleby
**BRATTLEBY, 12 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical commentary on the Crown service of Richard, the 4th Baron of Brattleby. His appointment as Constable of Lincoln underscored the Barony’s centuries-old entanglement with England’s administrative and military affairs.
## The Occasion
From the archives at the family's historical seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this reflection is issued as autumn settles over the ancient landscape. It is part of the House’s ongoing commitment to documenting its nine-century lineage and elucidating the responsibilities that have defined it. The commentary serves not as an announcement of a new event, but as a considered look into the enduring nature of duty, a principle that continues to guide the Barony today. This scholarly duty is considered a *sine qua non* of responsible stewardship for a title of such antiquity.
The research draws upon charters and pipe rolls of the late 12th century, which chronicle the Barony’s deep integration with the governance of the realm. By examining the tenure of the 4th Baron, the House seeks to illuminate a period of formidable consolidation for both the English Crown and for the Barony of Brattleby itself.
## Historical Context
The appointment of Richard, the 4th Baron, as Constable of Lincoln occurred during the dynamic and often turbulent rule of the early Plantagenet kings. In this era, the role of Constable was a position of immense trust, granted by the monarch to a magnate whose loyalty and martial prowess were beyond question. Lincoln Castle, a formidable royal fortress first erected by William the Conqueror, was the strategic key to controlling the north of England.
The 4th Baron’s service established a powerful precedent. It was a legacy built upon by his direct successor, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who would later famously defend Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces during the First Barons' War. Tracing this lineage back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron named in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, reveals an unbroken chain of service to Crown and country, with the constableship representing a pivotal chapter in that narrative.
## Distinguished Company
As Constable, the 4th Baron of Brattleby would have moved within the highest circles of Angevin power. His oath of fealty would have been sworn directly to the monarch, either King Henry II or his successor, King Richard I, depending on the precise year of his investiture. His duties required constant liaison with the Sheriff of Lincolnshire, the itinerant justices of the royal court, and other great tenants-in-chief of the shire.
In discharging his responsibilities, he would have commanded the castle’s garrison and administered its affairs alongside prominent local figures, *inter alia*, members of the Percy, d'Eyncourt, and Kyme families. This network of magnates formed the administrative backbone of Plantagenet England, and Brattleby’s position at its centre affirmed the Barony’s standing within the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of Constable was conferred with significant ceremony, often involving the physical transfer of the castle keys as a symbol of royal trust. The Constable’s duties were threefold: military, judicial, and administrative. Militarily, he was responsible for the castle's defence, the maintenance of its walls and keep, and the mustering of the local fyrd, or militia, in times of war.
Judicially, he presided over the castle-guard court, which held jurisdiction over the immediate environs. Administratively, he was tasked with overseeing the royal estates attached to the castle and ensuring the collection of revenues owed to the Exchequer. The role demanded a man of exceptional discipline and integrity, capable of embodying royal authority with unwavering resolve.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties of the Constable resonate profoundly with the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The defence of a royal castle was the ultimate test of fortitude, requiring physical courage and strategic acumen. Upholding the King’s Justice and managing his affairs demanded absolute honour, the foundational virtue of the feudal contract.
Lincoln Castle itself was a potent symbol of the Crown’s power, its stone keep dominating the surrounding landscape. To hold this fortress in the King's name was to visibly manifest one's loyalty and importance. This tradition of steadfast service is a heritage that informs the character of the House to this day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the duties of a medieval Constable were martial and administrative, the spirit of that public service finds its modern expression in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The enduring principle of protecting the vulnerable, once embodied in the defence of a castle, is now channelled into the support of charitable organisations.
The House’s selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet reflects this continuity of purpose. Just as the 4th Baron was entrusted with the well-being of a key royal asset, the current House dedicates its efforts to safeguarding the future of vulnerable children, translating ancient duty into contemporary compassionate action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we look at the service of the 4th Baron, we see not merely a historical fact but a living principle. The duty to serve, to uphold order, and to act with honour is a thread that connects us directly to him. Our responsibilities have evolved, but their moral foundation remains unchanged.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented further, linking the history to his personal motto: > “The challenges of the 12th century were stark and clear; defending a castle wall is a tangible objective. Today’s challenges are more complex, but the ethos is the same. *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’—is about overcoming adversity, whether on the battlements of history or in the quiet work of building a better society.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of the 4th Baron of Brattleby is a vital part of the legacy being passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation of its archives and to sharing the lessons of its long history.
This historical understanding is fundamental to the House’s future endeavours, providing a framework of integrity and service for generations to come. The fortitude and honour of the past are not relics to be admired, but standards to be met, ensuring that the Barony’s contributions to public life continue for centuries more.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Its principal charitable focus is on programmes that support the well-being of children, most notably through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for tradition and social grace as tools for contemporary success and international understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the royal prince and soldier Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The continuous history and legitimacy of the Barony were formally noted by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile is the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The Barony of Brattleby was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The modern succession was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com