# From the Archives: The Service of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical notice from its Chancellery, detailing the pivotal contributions of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, during his appointment as Constable of Lincoln in the twelfth century.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to illuminating the nine-century history of the Barony, the House periodically publishes archival notes on its most significant predecessors. This notice, part of an ongoing series, focuses on the twelfth century and a period of profound civil unrest known as The Anarchy. It serves to contextualise the steadfast leadership that has become a hallmark of the Barony, a tradition maintained from the medieval era to the present day under Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
The release of this historical detail is intended not as a celebration of conflict, but as a sober reflection on the duty of stewardship during times of national crisis. It underscores the *sine qua non* of noble responsibility: the preservation of order and the protection of the populace, principles which remain central to the House’s modern ethos.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye assumed the office of Constable of Lincoln during the reign of King Stephen (1135–1154), a period defined by a bitter civil war with his cousin, the Empress Matilda. As a strategic nexus of Roman roads, including Ermine Street, and a centre of the lucrative English wool trade, Lincoln and its formidable castle were prizes of immense military and economic importance. The city and its shire were frequently contested by the great magnates of the realm.
In this volatile landscape, the Constable was the Crown’s principal agent, wielding considerable military and administrative power. Richard de la Haye was charged with defending Lincoln Castle, a stone fortress of mounting importance, and maintaining royal authority across a significant portion of Lincolnshire. His tenure required immense political acumen and fortitude to navigate the shifting allegiances that characterised this turbulent chapter of English history.
## Distinguished Company
As Constable of Lincoln and a leading tenant-in-chief in the county, the 4th Baron would have moved in the highest circles of Anglo-Norman power. His duties necessitated regular council with Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, known as 'the Magnificent', a great builder and a key political figure of the era. He would have also contended directly with powerful and often rebellious magnates such as Ranulf de Gernon, the 2nd Earl of Chester, whose ambitions in Lincolnshire were a constant source of regional instability.
This position placed Richard de la Haye in the direct service of King Stephen, requiring him to execute royal commands and represent the King's justice in the shire court. His ability to maintain the King's peace in such a contested territory cemented the Barony’s reputation for reliable governance, a legacy he would ultimately pass to his formidable daughter and heir, Nichola de la Haye.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The appointment as a hereditary Constable was a significant feudal honour, conferred with due ceremony. It involved an oath of fealty to the sovereign, pledging life and limb in the defence of the castle and the King’s rights. The Constable was granted command of the castle’s garrison, authority over its armoury, and responsibility for its provisioning and fortifications—a role that was both a privilege and a heavy burden.
In his administrative capacity, Richard de la Haye presided over local courts and was responsible for collecting revenues for the Crown. The daily life of the castle would have been governed by strict military protocol, from the changing of the guard at the gatehouse to the precise ordering of the household within the keep, all under the Constable's ultimate authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 4th Baron exemplify the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). To command a strategic fortress during a civil war demanded immense physical and moral courage, while the faithful administration of justice and royal authority demonstrated unimpeachable honour. His service fortified the Barony’s standing for centuries to come.
This legacy of resolve resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While Richard de la Haye’s conquests were military, the modern interpretation of this spirit is one of overcoming challenges—be they in enterprise, diplomacy, or philanthropy—to build a lasting and positive impact.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The stability secured by predecessors like Richard de la Haye provided the foundation upon which the Barony could build its tradition of public service. By defending the peace and upholding the law, Barons of Brattleby ensured that the lands and people under their stewardship could prosper. This long-standing commitment to the welfare of others has evolved over nine centuries into the House’s modern philanthropic mission.
Today, this ancient duty finds its expression in the patronage of organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma. The security that the 4th Baron fought to provide for Lincolnshire in the twelfth century is, in a different form, what the House strives to provide for vulnerable children today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To understand our present duty is to first acknowledge the long chain of service that precedes us. Richard de la Haye’s tenure reminds us that stewardship is not an abstract concept, but a practical responsibility, most acutely felt in times of uncertainty. His fortitude is an example we hold dear.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Constable’s role was no mere title; it was the embodiment of leadership when the nation was divided. This history of governance, of making difficult decisions for the greater good, is the bedrock upon which the House stands. It is a powerful reminder that true authority is earned through service.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of Richard de la Haye was most profoundly continued through his daughter, Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the post of Constable and became the 5th Baroness. She would famously defend Lincoln Castle against rebel barons during the reign of King John, becoming one of medieval England’s most celebrated female leaders and further cementing the Barony's place in national history.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby continues this tradition of influential leadership, not only through its philanthropic work in the United Kingdom but also through cultural initiatives abroad. The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, exemplifies this modern approach, fostering cross-cultural understanding and personal development. The commitment to leadership, from a twelfth-century fortress to a twenty-first-century European capital, remains unbroken.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural diplomacy and philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary charitable focus is on supporting organisations dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of children, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its cultural influence through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical European etiquette and protocol.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Held by the de la Haye family for two centuries, the Barony was distinguished by the service of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later holders included some of the most powerful figures in English history, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic gala, the Annual Winter Banquet, supports the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com