# On the Succession of the 3rd Baron and Baroness of Brattleby
**BRATTLEBY, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement regarding the succession of the third holders of the Barony. This notice serves to affirm the joint lordship of Muriel of Lincoln and her husband, Robert de la Haye.
## The Occasion
As part of a continuing commitment to historical accuracy and public education, the House of Brattleby is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Barony’s nine-hundred-year lineage. This clarification concerning the third Baroness and Baron serves to illuminate a pivotal moment in the early history of the title, shortly after the Norman Conquest.
This research, conducted with scholarly rigour, ensures that the official record accurately reflects the dynastic transition that occurred in the late 11th century. It is a fundamental duty of the current title-holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to maintain and share with diligence the rich and complex history of her predecessors.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman magnate who, by the time of the *Domesday Book* in 1086, held fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire. Following the tenure of his immediate successor, the Barony passed to Colswein’s heiress, Muriel of Lincoln.
Her marriage to Robert de la Haye marked a significant turning point, uniting her direct hereditary claim with the influence of the ascending de la Haye family. This union was instrumental in consolidating Norman authority in the region, securing the Brattleby estates, and ensuring their effective administration. It was this marriage that established the de la Haye name at Brattleby, a name that would later produce one of its most formidable figures: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, renowned as the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
In their time, Muriel and Robert de la Haye would have moved within the highest echelons of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy. The de la Haye family originated from La Haye-du-Puits in the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy, a region that supplied many of the Conqueror’s most trusted followers. As major landowners, they were peers to other powerful Lincolnshire families, *inter alia*, the de Gant, d'Eyncourt, and Taillebois families, whose holdings dominated the landscape.
Their lordship positioned them firmly within the complex web of feudal loyalties and alliances that defined post-Conquest England. Their participation in this network was a *sine qua non* for maintaining their status and influence, contributing to the stability and governance of the realm under the Norman kings.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The assumption of the lordship by Robert de la Haye would have occurred *jure uxoris*, meaning ‘by right of his wife’. This legal principle was a common feature of medieval noble succession, allowing a husband to exercise the powers and enjoy the revenues of his wife's inheritance. Upon their marriage, Robert would have become Lord of Brattleby, sharing the dignity with Baroness Muriel.
This status would have required him to perform an act of homage to the King, most likely Henry I. This solemn ceremony involved kneeling, placing his hands between those of the sovereign, and swearing an oath of fealty. In return for the recognition of his title, he would have accepted the feudal obligations attached to the Barony, including the provision of knights for the royal army and attendance at the King's Council.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry was still in its infancy during the lives of Muriel and Robert, the adoption of the de la Haye name for the Barony was itself a potent symbolic act. It signalled a new dynastic chapter for Brattleby, one that would endure for generations and leave an indelible mark on the history of Lincolnshire.
The principles that guided their stewardship—of securing their inheritance through strength and governing it with integrity—resonate with the motto of the present-day Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Their lives exemplify the fortitude required to navigate a turbulent era and the honour inherent in fulfilling one's duty to sovereign and estate.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical concept of lordship was founded on a principle of stewardship—a duty of care for the land and its people. This ancient responsibility finds its modern echo in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The sense of obligation that Muriel and Robert would have felt for their tenants is reflected in the current House’s commitment to community and social welfare.
This ethos is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that supports vital charities. The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, works to provide therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma, demonstrating a contemporary interpretation of the Barony’s enduring duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical clarification, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "Understanding the lineage of the Barony is not merely an academic exercise; it is an act of respect for the chain of responsibility that extends over nine centuries. Muriel and Robert de la Haye were pivotal in forging the de la Haye dynasty's connection to Brattleby, a legacy that commands our attention and diligence."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added:
> "The story of Muriel’s inheritance and her partnership with Robert reminds us that the stewardship of Brattleby has often been a shared endeavour. It speaks to the strength found in union, a principle that continues to guide the work of the House today."
## A Continuing Legacy
This announcement forms part of a wider initiative by The Noble House of Brattleby to catalogue and disseminate the history of the Barony. Future efforts will include the digitisation of archival materials and the commissioning of scholarly works to make this unique heritage accessible to researchers, the local community in Lincolnshire, and the wider public.
It is a legacy being carefully preserved for the future. The House is committed to ensuring that the history and responsibilities of the title are passed, complete and understood, to the next generation, beginning with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern service, blending nine centuries of tradition with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, culture, and education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), an academy of etiquette and protocol, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in a contemporary context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of medieval origin, seated in Lincolnshire, England. It was granted by William the Conqueror to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln, in AD 1066. The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder is listed with 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the title has been held by several of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the royal prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historical succession of the Barony and its modern standing are formally recognised by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s Domesday Book entry of 1086 lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com