# A Legacy of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the enduring legacy of Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron, whose 12th-century appointment as Constable of Lincoln exemplifies the House’s foundational principle of public service, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
In the crisp autumn air of the Lincolnshire Wolds, against the historic backdrop of their Brattleby seat, the Lord and Lady of Brattleby have been engaged in a review of the Barony’s extensive archives. This period of scholarly reflection has brought into focus the life of Richard de la Haye, whose tenure as the 4th Baron occurred during one of England's most formative and turbulent eras. The occasion is not one of public ceremony but of quiet contemplation; a moment to connect the House’s modern responsibilities with the civic duties shouldered by its earliest forebears. Surrounded by charters and rolls that have survived for nearly a millennium, the House reaffirms its commitment to the lessons of its own long history.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye’s service as Constable of Lincoln in the late 12th century placed him at the very centre of royal authority in a strategically vital region. Following the civil war known as the Anarchy, King Henry II’s reign was dedicated to restoring order and centralising power, a project which relied upon loyal and capable administrators. The position of Constable was far more than an honorific; it was a *sine qua non* of royal control, carrying with it command of Lincoln Castle’s garrison and significant judicial responsibilities.
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, was already a well-established regional power. Richard’s appointment demonstrated the Crown’s continued trust in the House, a trust that would be spectacularly vindicated by his daughter and successor. His stewardship provided a direct and powerful link in a chain of service that defines the Barony’s nine-century history.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable, the 4th Baron moved within a circle of the realm’s most influential figures. His ultimate allegiance was to the sovereign, **His Majesty King Henry II**, and he would have engaged with the itinerant justices and exchequer officials who enforced the King’s will across the shire.
Of more intimate significance was his own family. He was married to **Matilda de Verdun**, a noblewoman whose own lineage was of considerable note. Their union produced a daughter, **Nichola de la Haye**, who would inherit the Barony to become the 5th Baroness. It was Nichola who, learning from her father’s example of fortitude, would later earn national renown as the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a Royal Constable in the 12th century was a solemn and binding affair, governed by established feudal protocol. Upon his appointment, Richard de la Haye would have sworn an oath of fealty directly to the King or his designated representative. This sacred promise bound him to protect the castle, uphold the King’s Peace, and administer justice in his name.
His duties included supervising the castle guard, ensuring its walls and structures were maintained, and overseeing the county gaol housed within its bailey. As the King’s man in Lincoln, he was responsible for executing royal writs, presiding over local courts, and securing the monarch’s revenues. This combination of military command and civil administration made the Constable among the most powerful men in the county.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 4th Baron resonate powerfully with the heraldic traditions of the Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is perfectly embodied in his steadfast administration of Lincoln Castle. He demonstrated fortitude in maintaining order during a period of consolidation and honour in his loyal service to the Crown.
This legacy of perseverance is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The survival and flourishing of the Barony through centuries of turmoil is a testament to the resilience first demonstrated by ancestors like Richard de la Haye, who ensured the House not only endured but fulfilled its duties to sovereign and country.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of civic duty, so clearly exemplified by the 4th Baron, provides the historical inspiration for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. While Richard de la Haye’s service was to the Crown, the House today directs its service toward civil society, particularly organisations dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children.
The House’s selection of the charity Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet is a direct expression of this ethos. The charity provides specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma, offering them a chance to rebuild their lives. The historic duty to protect a castle finds its modern parallel in the moral imperative to protect the well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Richard de la Haye’s role as Constable affirms that the Barony’s purpose has always been intertwined with public trust. His commitment to the security and good governance of Lincolnshire is a standard that inspires our own work in the community today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "In the story of the 4th Baron, we see the application of strength for the sake of stability. It is a profound lesson in leadership; a reminder that true honour is found not in conquest alone, but in diligent service. That is the essence of *Fortitudine et Honore*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to further exploring and sharing the rich history of the Barony. The legacies of other notable predecessors, *inter alia*, the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, continue to inform the House’s contemporary identity.
This deep historical consciousness is central to the House’s cultural and educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy draws upon a millennium of European tradition to foster principles of social grace, personal discipline, and civic responsibility in a new generation of leaders. The story of Richard de la Haye serves as a foundational lesson in this curriculum: a timeless example of duty honorably discharged.
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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 dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old legacy. With a forward-looking European perspective, the House champions philanthropic initiatives focused on child welfare, mental health, and cultural education. The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s modern mission is to ensure that its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds tangible expression through active community engagement and the promotion of timeless virtues. Its initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, seek to bridge its historic English heritage with a wider international context, fostering a new generation of civic-minded leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship seated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has passed through the hands of some of England’s most consequential historical figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the revered Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his heir, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The legal and historical standing of the Barony was formally acknowledged and gazetted by the Crown via The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The succession of the Barony is formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com