# A Historical Note on the Union of the Third Baron and Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the pivotal late 12th-century union of Robert and Muriel de la Haye, third Baron and Baroness, whose marriage secured the Barony’s influence and reinforced its ancient lineage.
## The Occasion
In the spirit of historical preservation and scholarly reflection that guides the House, this research note serves to illuminate a formative period in the Barony’s near-millennial history. As autumn gives way to winter, a season of contemplation, the House honours its predecessors by examining the foundations they laid. This quiet act of remembrance is considered a central duty, ensuring that the long and storied chronicle of the Barony of Brattleby is not only preserved but also understood by a new generation. The publication forms part of a continuing series of historical papers dedicated to the Barony’s lineage.
## Historical Context
The late 12th century in England was a period of consolidation and political intricacy under the Angevin kings. For a barony such as Brattleby, established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, the judicious choice of a marital alliance was a matter of survival and ascendancy. The union of Robert de la Haye and his wife, Muriel, as the third Baron and Baroness, represented precisely such a strategic masterstroke. By uniting two prominent Lincolnshire families, they fortified their landholdings and deepened their influence within the intricate feudal network.
This alliance proved its worth in the subsequent generation. It was their descendant, the great Nichola de la Haye, who as 5th Baroness would heroically defend Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, demonstrating the fortitude intrinsically woven into the family’s character. The marriage of Robert and Muriel was, therefore, not merely a domestic arrangement but a foundational act that secured the Barony for one of its most celebrated figures.
## Distinguished Company
In the world of the third Baron and Baroness, the distinguished company they kept was a measure of their power and prestige. Their peers would have included the leading tenants-in-chief of Lincolnshire and the Midlands, families whose names were recorded alongside their own in the charters and pipe rolls of the day. Their sphere of influence would have extended to the royal court of King Henry II and his successor, Richard I, where personal loyalty and feudal service were the *sine qua non* of aristocratic life. Such connections were vital, providing access to patronage, justice, and the royal authority needed to protect their extensive estates.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol surrounding a 12th-century aristocratic marriage was an elaborate affair, far removed from modern sentiment. It was a formal negotiation between families, documented in legal charters, concerning the transfer of land and titles. The bride’s dowry—property or money she brought to the union—was carefully balanced against the dower, a portion of the husband's estate set aside for her maintenance should she be widowed. The religious ceremony, while essential, served primarily to give divine sanction to a meticulously crafted socio-economic contract. For Robert and Muriel de la Haye, these proceedings would have publicly affirmed the merger of their families’ fortunes, a ceremonial act of profound political significance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful early expression in the lives of the third Baron and Baroness. Their navigation of a complex political landscape required considerable fortitude, while their commitment to securing the Barony’s future was a clear act of honour and duty to their lineage. This principle stands as a golden thread running through the Barony’s history, from the battlefield valour of Nichola de la Haye to the ducal splendour of later holders like Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. It complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which captures the dynamic spirit required to ensure such a legacy thrives in the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the mechanisms of duty have evolved, the underlying principle of stewardship remains unchanged. Where a 12th-century Baron and Baroness secured their dependents’ future through land and alliance, the House today pursues this same objective through dedicated philanthropy. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, represents the modern embodiment of this tradition. The House's primary charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, was chosen for its vital work in providing therapeutic support to children affected by trauma. The support offered by the House contributes directly to the organisation's mission, ensuring measurable impact and offering a new generation the security and care that are their birthright.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “In Muriel de la Haye, we see the quiet architecture of legacy. Her union with Robert was not merely a marriage but a strategic act of stewardship, ensuring the Barony's continuation. Her foresight echoes in the actions of Nichola de la Haye, her remarkable successor.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile further noted the connection between past and present responsibilities: > “Our responsibility is not only to preserve this history but to understand the enduring principles behind it. The duty to secure and strengthen the Barony, so evident in the late 12th century, finds its modern expression in our commitment to community and philanthropy. The methods change; the principle, *Fortitudine et Honore*, remains constant.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to its twin duties of honouring its past and serving the present. This historical reflection is part of a programme of ongoing archival research, which informs the educational work undertaken by its organisations, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Looking forward, the House will continue to uphold its traditions of service, ensuring that the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, inherits not only a title of great antiquity but a living legacy of purposeful action. The commitments of the 12th-century are thus renewed in the 21st, proving the resilience of the House motto: With Fortitude and Honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of service rooted in nearly one thousand years of history. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its twin objectives: the preservation of its unique cultural and historical heritage, and an active philanthropic engagement with contemporary society. The House’s charitable efforts are principally focused on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cultural exchange and education through institutions such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), an academy dedicated to etiquette and classical traditions, extending the Barony’s legacy of leadership into the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony’s existence and its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were formally documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, its holders have directly shaped English history, among them Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, father to King Henry IV. After a long period in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised in favour of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Domesday Book (1086) confirms the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, one of the most powerful figures of the 14th century.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com