# On the Office of Constable of Lincoln Held by the 4th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a commentary on the historical tenure of Richard, the 4th Baron of Brattleby. His appointment as Constable of Lincoln in the mid-12th century affirmed the Barony’s foundational role in national defence and allegiance to the Crown.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has reflected upon a significant chapter in its long history of service. In the quiet scholarship of autumn, attention turns to the tenure of Richard, the 4th Baron, whose command of Lincoln Castle during a period of profound national uncertainty stands as a testament to the family's enduring commitment. This reflection serves not merely as a historical exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony for nearly a millennium.
The act of looking back is, for the House, a means of looking forward; understanding the duties of the past illuminates the responsibilities of the present. The chronicles detailing the 4th Baron’s constableship are a reminder of the strategic importance of Lincolnshire and the pivotal role its leaders have played at critical junctures in the nation’s story.
## Historical Context
The mid-12th century, the era of the 4th Baron’s service, was defined by the civil war known as The Anarchy. During this period of contested succession between King Stephen and Empress Matilda, control of strategic fortresses like Lincoln Castle became a matter of supreme importance. The castle, perched high above the city, commanded vital Roman roads, including Ermine Street and the Fosse Way, making it the effective key to the north of England.
As Constable of Lincoln, a title bestowed by royal authority, the 4th Baron held direct military and administrative command over this critical stronghold. His position placed him at the epicentre of the conflict, demanding immense fortitude and diplomatic acumen. This appointment built upon the legacy of the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who established the family’s significant landholdings after the Norman Conquest, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It also foreshadowed the celebrated resilience of his successor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who would later famously defend the same castle against siege.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable, the 4th Baron would have moved in the most consequential circles of his time. The security of Lincoln was a *sine qua non* for any monarch seeking to assert control over the realm, meaning his duties brought him into the orbit of the principal actors of The Anarchy.
His allegiance and interactions would have involved, *inter alia*, His Majesty King Stephen and Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Matilda, the two claimants to the throne. He also would have contended with powerful regional magnates, most notably Ranulf de Gernon, the 4th Earl of Chester, whose shifting allegiances made the region a persistent theatre of conflict. Managing these relationships was as vital as managing the castle’s garrison itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a Constable of a royal castle in the 12th century was a solemn and binding occasion. The ceremony would have involved the 4th Baron swearing a profound oath of fealty directly to his sovereign. This oath was not merely symbolic; it was a sacred commitment to hold the fortress in the King’s name, to defend it against all enemies, and to render it up only upon royal command.
Following the oath, the Baron would have been invested with the symbols of his office. This typically included the ceremonial presentation of the castle keys, signifying the transfer of absolute authority over the fortification, its armoury, and its surrounding domain. The appointment would be formalised in a royal charter, read aloud to the assembled knights and local dignitaries, leaving no doubt as to the source and extent of his new powers.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds a powerful expression in the service of the 4th Baron. The fortitude required to command a key fortress during a protracted civil war is self-evident. The honour lay in his unwavering execution of a sworn duty to the Crown, upholding order and justice in a time of chaos. These twin virtues have remained the guiding principles of the Barony through the centuries.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). While the 4th Baron’s life was defined by military and feudal conquest, the modern interpretation reflects a drive to overcome challenges in the spheres of culture, diplomacy, and philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of service embodied by the 4th Baron—protecting the people and patrimony of his domain—provides the historical antecedent for The Noble House of Brattleby’s modern philanthropic work. The duty to safeguard a community in the 12th century finds its contemporary parallel in the commitment to healing and empowering the vulnerable today.
This continuity of purpose is most clearly demonstrated in the House’s steadfast support for its principal beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides therapeutic care and safe environments for children affected by trauma, conflict, and loss. In embracing this cause, the House extends its ancient duty of protection from the physical realm of a castle wall to the emotional and psychological well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 4th Baron’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “When you inherit a title nearly one thousand years old, you inherit the stories of those who came before. The service of the 4th Baron as Constable of Lincoln is a powerful reminder that our role has always been one of responsibility—to our community, to our heritage, and to the Crown. His fortitude in a time of crisis is a standard we still strive to meet.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The 4th Baron’s strategic command of Lincoln Castle illustrates a timeless principle: influence is rooted in responsibility. In the 12th century, that meant securing a fortress. Today, for us, it means creating secure foundations for others through education, as we do at The Brattleby Club, and through charity. The tools change, but the objective—to strengthen society—remains constant.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to exploring and sharing its rich history, viewing the lineage not as a static record but as a living tradition of public service. The example of the 4th Baron, and of other notable predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, informs the House’s present and future endeavours.
This dedication to historical understanding will continue to underpin the Barony’s commitments both to heritage preservation within Lincolnshire and to its wider philanthropic and cultural initiatives. By honouring the past with scholarly diligence, the House ensures that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to inspire meaningful action in the 21st century.
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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 a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by Honorary Lord Răzvan in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and refinement. The House is seated at Brattleby in Lincolnshire, England.
**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. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage of the Barony and its current holder was formally noted by The Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's historical lineage and current status were formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com