# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Hereditary Role of Constable of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a commentary on the historic duties associated with the Barony, reflecting on the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle and its enduring relevance to the House’s modern ethos of service and responsibility.
## The Occasion
In a period of reflection upon its nine-and-a-half-century history, The Noble House of Brattleby turns its consideration to one of the most significant responsibilities held by its medieval predecessors. The hereditary Constableship of Lincoln Castle, an office of immense military and administrative power, represents a foundational chapter in the Barony’s long tradition of duty to Crown and County.
Lincoln Castle itself, a formidable Norman fortress standing sentinel over the city, provides the physical context for this legacy. Its stone walls and imposing keep, weathered by centuries of English history, bear silent witness to the oaths of fealty sworn and the strategic decisions made by the Barons of Brattleby in their capacity as its guardians. This reflection serves not as a mere historical exercise, but as a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony through ages of both turmoil and peace.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the defence of Lincolnshire dates from its very inception. Following the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror granted 56 lordships in the county to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. This grant was a strategic imperative, designed to secure a vital region of the kingdom.
This duty found its most celebrated expression in Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who served as hereditary Constable and Sheriff of Lincolnshire. A figure of remarkable fortitude, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons during the reign of King John and again during the First Barons' War, culminating in the decisive Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Her unwavering loyalty was the *sine qua non* for preserving royal authority in the North. Later, the Barony passed to towering figures of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, connecting Brattleby directly to the Royal Family.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of the Constableship is defined by the character of those who held it. The historical record acknowledges several key figures whose tenure shaped the influence of the Barony:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a trusted Norman lord tasked by William the Conqueror with consolidating control over Lincolnshire. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, who inherited the titles of Constable of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, proving an exceptional military commander and administrator. * **The Right Honourable The Earl of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a renowned diplomat, soldier, and founding Knight of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness The Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster**, whose immense wealth and influence made him one of the most powerful figures in 14th-century Europe.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of a medieval Castle Constable was governed by exacting protocol. The Constable held supreme command of the castle's garrison, swore an oath to defend it against all enemies of the Crown, and was responsible for its provisioning and maintenance. Beyond its military function, the role carried significant judicial and administrative authority, often including the shrievalty (the office of Sheriff), thereby overseeing law and order across the entire shire.
The installation of a Constable was a solemn affair, involving the formal handing over of the castle keys—a powerful symbol of trust and delegated royal authority. The Constable was expected to reside within or near the castle, embodying a constant state of readiness. This profound responsibility underscored the Barony’s position not merely as a landed title, but as an active agent of the sovereign’s peace.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the Constableship are crystallised in the heraldry of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the qualities demanded of the castle’s guardian: the strength to withstand a siege and the honour to remain loyal in the face of political intrigue. It is the very spirit demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a martial tradition, it is interpreted today as the will to overcome modern challenges through strategic action and determination—a contemporary echo of the foresight required to command a fortress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the military duties of the medieval era have passed into history, the underlying principle of stewardship remains central to the House's purpose. The historical responsibility to protect the people of Lincolnshire finds its modern expression in a commitment to philanthropy and social improvement. The duty of care once exercised through command of a garrison is now channelled into support for vulnerable communities.
This is exemplified by the House’s patronage of its annual Winter Banquet beneficiary, the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. In parallel, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest serves an educational purpose, offering instruction in etiquette and protocol, which fosters the social harmony and mutual respect essential for a stable civil society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "When one considers the history of the Barony, the story of Nichola de la Haye is a profound source of inspiration. Her resolve in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrates that leadership is not a question of title, but of character. *Fortitudine et Honore* was, for her, a lived reality, and it remains the standard to which we hold ourselves today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The role of the Constable was fundamentally strategic—to protect assets, to anticipate threats, and to ensure the well-being of the community. Today, the challenges are different, but the mindset is the same. Whether in business or philanthropy, the goal is to build resilience and create lasting security. In that sense, *Vincere Est Vivere* is about securing a better future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The history of the Constable of Lincoln Castle is more than a page in the annals of the Barony; it is a living testament to the enduring values of duty, loyalty, and strategic foresight. These principles continue to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby in the 21st century.
From its philanthropic initiatives that protect the vulnerable to its educational programmes that build social capital, the House seeks to serve its community with the same dedication as its predecessors. The fortress may now be a historic monument, but the commitment to steadfastly guarding and improving the society it once defended remains an unbroken chain of responsibility.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is committed to the modern expression of its nine-century-old motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House directs its efforts towards impactful philanthropy, with a particular focus on charities supporting vulnerable children, such as ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. In addition, it champions cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Looking to the future, the House is guided by its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s activities are a contemporary interpretation of its historic duty of stewardship, translating ancient principles of service into meaningful 21st-century action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant lordships in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, as well as two of the most powerful magnates of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The rights of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s succession and rights were formally gazetted by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, listed as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c.1160–1230), one of the few women to serve as a sheriff in medieval England. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com