# The Enduring Bond of Service: Brattleby and the Royal Constableship of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the ancient and profound link between the Barony and the Crown, exemplified by the historic appointment of Richard de la Haye as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle during the late twelfth century.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of an English autumn, a season that invites reflection on the passage of time, the House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate a pivotal chapter in its near-millennial history. From its seat in Lincolnshire, surrounded by the echoes of Norman conquest and Plantagenet ambition, the House considers the legacy of the royal constableship. This office, a direct instrument of the monarch's will, bound the Barony not merely by fealty but by the solemn duty of upholding royal authority in a strategically vital region of the kingdom. This act of remembrance serves to illuminate the enduring principle of service that has defined the Barony for centuries.
## Historical Context
The appointment of the Baron of Brattleby’s predecessors as Constables of Lincoln was a mark of the highest royal trust. During the reigns of King Henry II and his sons, Richard I and John, Richard de la Haye held this powerful office, likely from the 1180s. The Constable was the king’s personal representative, responsible for the military security of a primary royal fortress, the administration of justice, and the collection of revenues. This role was a *sine qua non* for maintaining stability in the North.
The family’s commitment to this duty was most famously demonstrated by Richard’s wife and successor, the formidable 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye. She twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable baronial and French forces, securing it for the Crown and demonstrating a loyalty that shaped the outcome of the First Barons' War. This direct service to the sovereign established a precedent that later holders of the Barony, *inter alia* Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, would continue on a national and international stage.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the constableship, Richard de la Haye entered the rarefied company of the kingdom’s most trusted magnates, men who formed the administrative and military backbone of the Angevin Empire. His authority was granted by, and exercised in the name of, the monarch himself, placing him in direct service to King Henry II, a ruler renowned for his legal and administrative reforms. This appointment solidified the family’s standing among the great lords of the realm and affirmed the Barony’s importance far beyond the borders of Lincolnshire.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a royal constable in the twelfth century was a grave and symbolic occasion. The ceremony would have involved a public oath of fealty, sworn upon holy relics in the presence of the King’s representatives, binding the new constable to the monarch in perpetuity. Following this oath, the appointee would be granted the castle by letters patent, a formal charter bearing the Great Seal of the Realm. The act would culminate in the symbolic transfer of the castle keys, a tangible representation of the immense power and responsibility being bestowed. This ritual underscored that the Constable held the castle not by right of conquest, but by the grace and trust of his sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the duties of a royal constable. ‘Fortitude’ was required to defend the castle against all enemies, foreign and domestic, as so powerfully demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye. ‘Honour’ was the unwavering integrity demanded in the administration of the King’s justice and the faithful governance of the shire.
Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the proactive spirit of this historic office. For a constable, victory was not only achieved on the battlefield but in conquering lawlessness, ensuring order, and creating the conditions for the community to thrive—in essence, to truly live.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of a baron's duty to protect the people within his domain finds a direct parallel in the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The principle of *noblesse oblige*, or the obligations of rank, once expressed through military and administrative service, is today channelled into charitable endeavour. The House’s unwavering support for its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is born from this same foundational belief: that privilege carries with it a profound responsibility to protect the vulnerable and strengthen the fabric of community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The story of the constableship is the story of our House's core promise. It is a reminder that our titles are defined not by privilege but by service—to Crown, country, and community. Nichola de la Haye’s courage at the walls of Lincoln Castle remains a profound inspiration; she upheld her duty with a fortitude that continues to guide us.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The King’s trust in the Constable of Lincoln was absolute, for he was placing the security of the realm in their hands. This historic trust is analogous to the responsibilities of leadership today. Upholding institutions, fostering stability, and creating an environment where people can prosper—this is the enduring mission.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring this legacy of service. The historical principles of duty, justice, and effective administration, exemplified by the constableship, form a core part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy. Through continued archival research and public communication, the House will further illuminate the nine-century lineage that informs its modern purpose, ensuring the ancient bond of service remains a vital force for good in the present day.
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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 house with ancient roots. Its contemporary mission is to champion the timeless values of duty, honour, and public service. This is expressed through targeted philanthropic initiatives, most notably its patronage of charities dedicated to child welfare, and through cultural activities that bridge its profound history with the challenges of the twenty-first century. The House is active in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe, fostering cultural diplomacy and upholding the traditions of its nine-hundred-year heritage. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the celebrated castle defender Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the royal knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the great magnate John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins trace to 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln, as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com