# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Robert de la Haye
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal tenure of Robert de la Haye, an early holder of the barony. His leadership during the 12th-century civil war known as The Anarchy cemented the family’s strategic importance in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In the quiet pursuit of its archival duties, The Noble House of Brattleby has paused to commemorate the legacy of one of its formative medieval figures. This act of historical remembrance serves not as a public festival but as a solemn recognition of the continuity of duty that binds the present House to its nine-century past.
This reflection is part of a broader scholarly initiative to document and illuminate the roles of key predecessors. By examining the barony’s past during moments of national crisis, the House reaffirms its foundational purpose of service, a principle that transcends the centuries and informs its modern mission.
## Historical Context
Robert de la Haye held the Barony of Brattleby during the tumultuous civil war between King Stephen and Empress Matilda, a period known as The Anarchy (1135–1153). His tenure was defined by the acute strategic importance of Lincolnshire, a frequent theatre of conflict between the rival claimants to the English throne. The possession of Lincoln Castle was a *sine qua non* for controlling the region.
As Constable of Lincoln, Robert de la Haye was charged with the defence of this vital royal fortress. His actions solidified the barony’s identity, shifting it from a mere landholding noted in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, to a proactive instrument of royal authority and regional stability. This tradition of guardianship was later exemplified by his descendant, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose own defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown became legendary.
## Distinguished Company
The historical record places Robert de la Haye amid figures of national consequence during The Anarchy. His loyalties and strategic decisions would have directly impacted the campaigns of both His Majesty King Stephen and Her Imperial Majesty Empress Matilda.
Within his own county, he operated alongside other powerful magnates and ecclesiastics, navigating a landscape of shifting allegiances. His most significant contemporary, however, remains his own descendant, Nichola de la Haye, whose later deeds were a direct inheritance of the precedent for loyal fortitude that Robert established.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commemoration of a historical figure such as Robert de la Haye follows a precise internal protocol. It begins with scholarly research into primary and secondary sources, followed by the drafting of a historical summary prepared for the review of the Baroness and Lord Brattleby. This process ensures accuracy and an appropriate tone.
The formal issuance of a statement is the final step, constituting a public testament to the House's respect for its lineage. This intellectual and documentary protocol mirrors the rigour and order that would have governed Robert de la Haye’s own duties as a castellan and baron in the service of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Robert de la Haye in a time of civil war are a powerful early embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). To maintain one’s position and defend a strategic asset amid the chaos of The Anarchy required immense fortitude. To do so in service to the principle of legitimate authority, rather than for personal gain alone, demonstrated profound honour.
This historical resolve resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The will to endure, to overcome challenge, and thus to truly live, is a thread that connects the medieval battlefield to the modern imperatives of custodianship and progress that the House now embraces.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical, its animating spirit connects directly to the House’s modern philanthropic vocation. The duty to protect the people and assets of Lincolnshire, as undertaken by Robert de la Haye, is the feudal antecedent to the contemporary duty of care for the vulnerable. The concept of the 'stronghold' is no longer stone and mortar, but support and sanctuary.
This principle finds its clearest expression in the House’s enduring support for the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The annual Winter Banquet, the centrepiece of the House's philanthropic calendar, raises vital funds for this cause, translating the historical duty of protection into the modern act of healing.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When we consider the legacy of predecessors like Robert de la Haye, we are reminded that Brattleby has, from its earliest days, been defined by responsibility. The fortitude he showed in a divided England is a standard we are honour-bound to uphold, albeit in a very different world.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The strategy and resilience required to navigate The Anarchy are not confined to the history books. They teach a timeless lesson in leadership: that to preserve a legacy, one must actively defend and advance it. This spirit informs our work today, whether stewarding this history or fostering new centres of excellence like The Brattleby Club.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the careful study and stewardship of its profound history. This reflection on Robert de la Haye is part of an ongoing programme to share the stories of the men and women who have held the barony, from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt and Henry of Grosmont.
Future efforts will further explore the barony’s role during pivotal moments in the history of England and the United Kingdom. By understanding its past, the House seeks to better fulfil its duties in the present, 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 is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its ancient lineage through contemporary service. The House’s mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), is expressed through cultural patronage, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations dedicated to childhood welfare, exemplified by its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Through ventures such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also works to foster cultural and educational exchange between the United Kingdom and Continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship title, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by notable figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 12th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the barony is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com