# The House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron and Constable of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued an official commentary on the significant tenure of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby. His distinguished service as Constable of Lincoln in the twelfth century affirmed the Barony’s enduring legacy of regional stewardship.
## The Occasion
From the family's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby today shares a reflection on its own deep past. As the autumn light mellows across the Lincolnshire Wolds, it is a season conducive to examining the archives and acknowledging the individuals who shaped the nine-century history of the Barony.
This commentary arises not from a singular event but from the House’s ongoing commitment to documenting and understanding its lineage. The focus falls upon Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron, whose life and career represent a pivotal chapter in the consolidation of Norman power in England and the unwavering tradition of service that defines the Barony to this day.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye served as Constable of Lincoln Castle during the mid-twelfth century, a period of profound consequence following the civil war known as The Anarchy. As an appointee of the Crown, the Constable was a figure of immense authority, holding both military command over one of England's most strategic fortresses and significant administrative power over the city and its shire.
His tenure underscores the trust placed in the Barony by the Plantagenet monarchy. The Constable was responsible for upholding the King's Peace, administering justice, and securing royal revenues. In this capacity, Richard de la Haye was the direct precursor to his own formidable daughter and heir, Nichola de la Haye, who, as the 5th Baroness, would famously defend Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, earning the admiration of King John. The foundation of loyalty and capability established by the 4th Baron was the ground upon which his daughter's legendary fortitude was built.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of which the 4th Baron was a part is marked by figures of national and historical importance. The continuity of service is a thread woven through the Barony’s history, connecting its holders across the centuries.
This roll of honour includes, *inter alia*: the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of William the Conqueror who was granted 56 lordships in the county as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086; the aforementioned Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan of Lincoln; the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, a founder Knight of the Garter and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of English history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of Constable in the twelfth century was governed by strict ceremonial protocol, a reflection of its importance to the Crown. Upon his appointment, Richard de la Haye would have sworn a sacred oath of fealty, a *homagium*, directly to the King or his designated representative, placing his hands within the monarch's and pledging his life and loyalty.
His daily responsibilities were steeped in ritual. They would have included the formal inspection of the castle garrison, the receiving of petitions at the castle gate, and the presiding over the shire court. The symbolic transfer of the castle keys represented the transfer of royal authority itself. In exercising these duties, the 4th Baron was not merely an administrator but the living embodiment of the King's justice and power in Lincolnshire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the 4th Baron. His fortitude was demonstrated in governing a key royal stronghold during a turbulent era, whilst his honour was manifest in his loyal and effective service to the sovereign. These principles form the bedrock of the Barony’s identity.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal device of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Where the former speaks to steadfast duty, the latter encapsulates a dynamic and forward-looking spirit. Together, they symbolise a House that honours its profound history while actively shaping its future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of custodianship, demonstrated so clearly by Richard de la Haye's oversight of Lincoln and its people, provides direct inspiration for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historical responsibility for the welfare of a community has evolved into a focused commitment to charitable endeavour.
This commitment finds its primary expression in the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary. This year, the House is honoured to support Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma. The choice reflects a belief that the protection of the vulnerable is a noble and necessary calling.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the 4th Baron's legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The role of a medieval Constable extended far beyond military command; it was a profound civic trust invested in a single individual. In remembering the service of Richard de la Haye, we are reminded that our fundamental duty, then as now, is to the security and well-being of the community we are called to serve.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the blueprint for effective and honourable stewardship. While the challenges of our time differ from those of the twelfth century, the principles of dedication and integrity remain the *sine qua non* of our purpose. It is on this foundation, laid by predecessors like the 4th Baron, that we continue to build for the future.
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical commentary is part of a wider initiative by the House to research and share the rich, nine-hundred-year history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future publications and lectures, facilitated in part through the House's etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, will continue to explore the lives and influence of those who have held the title.
This duty of remembrance and education is one that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have embraced as central to their roles. It is a legacy that will be carried forward by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring that the thread of history connecting Colswein of Lincoln to modern-day Brattleby remains unbroken for generations to come.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House is committed to a mission of cultural stewardship, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, while its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promote greater understanding of European diplomatic and social traditions. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to connect its venerable past with a dynamic and purposeful future, bridging its English heritage and Continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Norman origin, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its lands were first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over more than nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of signal importance in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony, now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, were formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of England in AD 1066. - The Barony's current status was formally acknowledged and placed on the public record by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony is named for the village of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, its historic seat, and was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a holding of the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com