# Historical Note: The 4th Baron of Brattleby and the Constableship of Lincoln
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical note on the tenure of Richard, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln in the late 12th century, highlighting the Barony's foundational commitment to Crown service and regional governance.
## The Occasion
As part of an ongoing archival review conducted from its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has brought to light the significant, yet often overlooked, contributions of its early holders. The late autumn season, a time of reflection in the county, provides a fitting backdrop for examining the tenures that shaped the Barony’s character centuries before its modern recognition. This research reaffirms a continuous thread of public duty woven through the fabric of the House’s history.
The focus on the 4th Baron’s role as Constable of Lincoln serves to connect the Barony’s origins with the core principles of duty that endure to this day. It is an act of historical stewardship, ensuring that the legacy of service, established nearly a millennium ago, continues to inform the House’s contemporary mission.
## Historical Context
Serving in the late 12th century, during the formidable reigns of the early Angevin kings, Richard, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, was appointed to the vital role of Constable of Lincoln. This position placed him at the epicentre of royal authority in one of England’s most strategically important shires. He was a direct successor to the lineage established by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in the county by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest.
The 4th Baron’s tenure bridged the foundational period of the Barony and the later, celebrated heroism of his successor, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness, Nichola would famously defend Lincoln Castle against rebel barons during the reign of King John. The 4th Baron’s preceding command was thus a *sine qua non* for the stability and readiness of the fortress she would later so valiantly hold.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable, the 4th Baron would have been a direct agent of the monarch, either King Henry II or his successor, King Richard I. His peers would have included the great magnates of the North and the Midlands, as well as senior ecclesiastics such as the Bishop of Lincoln and the Archbishop of Canterbury. His appointment was a mark of profound royal trust, placing him in the distinguished company of those tasked with administering the King's Peace and defending the realm’s frontiers.
This office necessitated regular correspondence and interaction with the key figures of the Justiciar and the Exchequer, ensuring that Lincolnshire’s revenues were collected and its laws enforced. The 4th Baron was, therefore, not merely a local lord but an integral component of the state apparatus of 12th-century England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The role of a medieval Constable was governed by strict protocol, blending military, judicial, and administrative duties. As commander of Lincoln Castle, the 4th Baron was responsible for the upkeep of its fortifications, the command of its garrison, and the control of its armoury. He held the keys to the castle, a potent symbol of his authority delegated directly from the sovereign.
His duties included presiding over the shire court in the Sheriff’s absence and securing high-value prisoners within the castle’s walls. The protocol of his office demanded unwavering vigilance and the ability to act decisively to quell civil unrest or repel an external threat. The Constableship was, in essence, the physical embodiment of royal power in the region.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The charge of the Constable of Lincoln finds a powerful echo in the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The defence of a royal castle and the administration of justice on behalf of the Crown are duties that demand pre-eminent fortitude. The faithful execution of these responsibilities, often in perilous circumstances, is the highest expression of honour.
While personal coats of arms were only beginning to be systematised during this period, the principles underlying the 4th Baron's service are the very same that were later codified in the House’s heraldic identity. His life of service demonstrates that *Fortitudine et Honore* was not a later embellishment but a principle lived by the family for centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical concept of *noblesse oblige*—the unwritten obligation of the nobility to act with honour and generosity—is powerfully illustrated by the 4th Baron’s public service. This centuries-old principle of duty informs the modern philanthropic ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala.
The sole beneficiary of this event, the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ organisation, provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The House's selection of this charity reflects a belief that the modern duty of a noble house is to defend the most vulnerable, just as its predecessors defended the realm.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "To study the life of the 4th Baron is to understand that service is the Barony’s oldest tradition. His duty as Constable was not one of privilege but of profound responsibility—a principle that guides us still."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the enduring relevance of such historical resolve: — "The challenges faced in 12th-century Lincolnshire required immense fortitude. It reminds one that to overcome, to truly live and to build a legacy, as my own motto *Vincere Est Vivere* suggests, necessitates this same strength of character."
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the Barony’s long history continue to guide its present and future course. The principles of discipline, honour, and service, as exemplified by the 4th Baron, are integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to embodying these traditional values through contemporary acts of service and philanthropy.
This archival research is part of a wider commitment to understanding and preserving the nine-century heritage of the Barony of Brattleby. It provides a historical foundation for the House’s ongoing work in cultural education and its charitable endeavours both in the United Kingdom and abroad, ensuring the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby champions a modern vision of nobility rooted in public service and cultural stewardship. The House's ethos, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its work across two primary domains: philanthropy and education. Its foremost charitable commitment is to ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, supported by the annual Winter Banquet held in Lincolnshire. In parallel, the House extends its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering the principles of decorum, leadership, and social grace. The House of Brattleby seeks to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic and purposeful contemporary presence.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman 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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern rights and title of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by an official notice in *The London Gazette* (ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's modern recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic focus is the support of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ organisation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com