# The Constable of Lincoln: The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on a Legacy of Service and Stewardship
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the pivotal role of Richard de la Haye, whose tenure as Constable of Lincoln Castle in the late 12th century cemented a legacy of royal service and regional stewardship.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken time this autumn to reflect upon a defining chapter in its nine-century history. The appointment of Richard de la Haye as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle represents a moment of profound significance, binding the Barony directly to the defence of the Crown and the administration of one of England’s most important mediaeval cities.
This reflection is offered not as a commemoration of a single date, but as part of the House’s continuing commitment to historical education. It serves as a reminder that the responsibilities of title are rooted in tangible duties of service, a principle that continues to inform the House’s modern endeavours.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. It was in the following century, during the tumultuous Angevin period, that the de la Haye family came to embody the martial and administrative functions of the nobility.
Richard de la Haye, holding office during the latter half of the 12th century, was entrusted with Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of immense strategic value. His constableship was not merely an honour; it was a military command and a judicial mandate. This tradition of service was famously continued by his daughter, Nichola de la Haye, who as 5th Baroness and hereditary Constable, courageously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her story, alongside that of her father, illustrates a lineage defined by *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this period, the House acknowledges the distinguished predecessors whose actions shaped the identity of the Barony. Among them are figures of national and European importance, including, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a significant landholder in the immediate post-Conquest generation. * **Richard de la Haye**, Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose service solidified the family’s role as loyal servants of the Crown in a vital region. * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Castellan of Lincoln Castle, and one of only four women to have been appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in its history. * **Henry of Grosmont**, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founder Knight of the Garter and one of the most revered military commanders of his age. * **John of Gaunt**, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and a towering figure in late 14th-century English politics.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of Constable of a royal castle was a position of immense trust, bestowed directly by the monarch. The holder was responsible for the fortress’s garrison, its maintenance, and its readiness for defence. The Constable also had significant civil authority, often presiding over the shire court held within the castle bailey and overseeing the collection of royal taxes.
This fusion of military and civil power made the Constable the King’s most powerful agent in the county. Their duty was absolute, requiring an oath of fealty that placed the security of the realm and the will of the sovereign above all other considerations. This protocol of unwavering loyalty has become a hallmark of the Barony’s ethos through the centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*, finds its clearest expression in the actions of its mediaeval forebears. The 'fortitude' demonstrated by Richard and Nichola de la Haye in defending Lincoln Castle, and the 'honour' with which they discharged their duties to the Crown, are not abstract ideals but historical facts.
This ancestral motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the former speaks to the enduring character of the House, the latter reflects a dynamic, modern imperative: to meet and overcome the challenges of today, be they in philanthropy, business, or cultural diplomacy, with vigour and purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical responsibility to protect a city and its people provides a powerful precedent for the House’s modern philanthropic commitments. The ancient duty of stewardship over a physical community has evolved into a contemporary duty of care for the vulnerable in society. This principle is the *sine qua non* of the House’s charitable work.
This spirit of guardianship is the direct inspiration for the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal philanthropic fundraising event. The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapy and support for young victims of trauma, reflects the House’s interpretation of its historical charge: to provide a fortress of safety for those in greatest need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The duty borne by Richard de la Haye was not merely to stone and mortar, but to the people of Lincolnshire. This principle of stewardship, of service to the community, remains the guiding light for our House today. It is a legacy we are privileged to continue.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not a passive inheritance; it is an active charge. The fortitude shown at Lincoln Castle in the twelfth century inspires us to meet the challenges of our own time with equal resolve. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that true living comes from engaging with and overcoming these duties.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to ensuring this legacy of service and honour is not only preserved but also actively transmitted. This is realised through its support for historical research and, more broadly, through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which teaches etiquette and protocol as a framework for honourable conduct in modern society.
This heritage of responsibility is one that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to passing to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. It ensures that the principles galvanised by the Constables of Lincoln nearly a millennium ago will continue to guide the Barony of Brattleby for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby actively stewards a nine-century legacy. The House's modern mission is to bridge its profound English heritage with a dynamic, forward-looking European perspective. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. Further, through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of protocol, social grace, and honourable conduct in contemporary professional and private life.
**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. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current holder is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com