# The Constable of Lincoln: The House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Richard de la Haye
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the pivotal twelfth-century tenure of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln Castle, a role foundational to the family’s enduring legacy of strategic service.
## The Occasion
From its archives in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has drawn attention to a defining chapter in its lineage. The focus of this historical commemoration is the appointment of Richard de la Haye as Constable of Lincoln in the mid-twelfth century. This was a period of profound turbulence and transformation for the English kingdom, following the civil war known as The Anarchy.
Lincoln Castle, commanding the surrounding landscape from its strategic outcrop, was then one of the most significant fortifications in the realm. Its Roman foundations and formidable Norman keep represented the very authority of the Crown in the north of England. To be named its Constable was to be entrusted with the security of the region and the confidence of the monarch.
## Historical Context
The tradition of service established by the Barons of Brattleby dates to the Norman Conquest itself. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was rewarded for his allegiance to William the Conqueror with vast estates, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. This established the family as a cornerstone of the new Anglo-Norman order.
Several generations later, Richard de la Haye inherited this legacy of responsibility during the reigns of King Stephen and Henry II. His command of Lincoln Castle was not merely an honour; it was a critical military and administrative function. His tenure prepared the ground for his remarkable daughter and heiress, Nichola de la Haye, who would later inherit the castellanship and famously defend Lincoln against rebel barons and French forces.
## Distinguished Company
This chapter of the Barony’s history is defined by two key figures whose actions reverberate through the centuries:
**Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby,** served as a loyal feudatory to the Plantagenet kings. As Constable of Lincoln and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, he embodied the martial and administrative capabilities expected of the high nobility. His marriage to Maud de Vernon further consolidated the family's power and influence within the Anglo-Norman aristocracy.
**Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby,** stands as one of the most formidable women of the High Middle Ages. Inheriting her father's offices, she served as hereditary Constable and was twice appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right. Her steadfast loyalty to King John and her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of Constable of a Royal Castle in the twelfth century was a position of immense trust, governed by strict feudal protocol. Upon his appointment, Richard de la Haye would have sworn a solemn oath of fealty directly to the King, pledging his life and lands to the defence of the Crown's property.
His duties were manifold. He was the supreme commander of the castle’s garrison, responsible for its readiness, discipline, and pay. He oversaw the maintenance and improvement of the fortifications — a constant and costly endeavour. Furthermore, as Constable, he wielded judicial authority, administering the King's justice within the castle's precincts, a jurisdiction known as the 'liberty of the castle'.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the lives of Richard and Nichola de la Haye. Richard’s steadfast administration demonstrated the *honore* of upholding one’s oath to the sovereign. His daughter’s subsequent defence of Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds was a supreme act of *fortitudine*.
This principle of determined resilience is echoed in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a modern interpretation of the same spirit, representing the will to overcome challenges and to prevail through commitment and strategic action, connecting the House's past to its present endeavours.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this ancestral legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The story of Richard de la Haye, and subsequently of his formidable daughter Nichola, is not merely family history; it is a profound lesson in duty. Their stewardship of Lincoln Castle demonstrates that responsibility is the true cornerstone of privilege, a principle we strive to honour nine centuries later.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the continuity of purpose: > Our family motto speaks of 'Fortitude and Honour', and Richard’s life exemplifies this. He secured a vital stronghold for the Crown, and in doing so, created the conditions for his daughter’s own historic defence of Lincoln. This continuity of purpose—of preparing the way for the next generation—is a legacy we carry forward in all our endeavours.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and study of its extensive archives, ensuring that the lessons of its long history inform its contemporary mission. In collaboration with historians and academic institutions, the family continues to explore the contributions of predecessors such as the 1st Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt.
This dedication to heritage is a *sine qua non* of the family's public life. It provides the foundational ethos for modern initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which seeks to impart the timeless values of honour, etiquette, and social responsibility to a new generation of leaders, thereby carrying the legacy of Brattleby forward into the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to cultural preservation and contemporary philanthropy. The House's mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), involves the active stewardship of its near-millennial history while supporting vital charitable causes. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting the timeless values of etiquette and social grace. The House seeks to be a bridge between England's rich heritage and the challenges of the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the Barony and its current holder were formally recognised by The Crown and published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) attests that Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby, held 56 lordships as a tenant-in-chief under the King. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The House's annual philanthropic event, the Winter Banquet, is held in aid of charitable beneficiaries, including the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com