# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony's Role During 'The Anarchy' (1135–1153)
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a new historical commentary analysing the Barony’s strategic position during the 12th-century civil war known as The Anarchy, highlighting the resilience demonstrated by the De la Haye family as Constables of Lincoln Castle.
## The Occasion
In an initiative led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House has commenced a project to publish a series of scholarly monographs exploring pivotal moments in the Barony’s extensive history. The first of these papers, released today on the House’s official website, provides a detailed account of the civil war that erupted following the death of King Henry I.
This publication reflects the House’s modern commitment to historical stewardship and education. By making its archival research accessible, the House aims to illuminate the near-millennium of English history through which the Barony of Brattleby has persisted, ensuring its significant heritage informs the understanding of a wider global audience.
## Historical Context
The period known as The Anarchy (1135–1153) was a devastating contest for the English throne between King Stephen and his cousin, Empress Matilda. For the Barony of Brattleby, then held by the De la Haye family, this era was one of existential challenge. Their hereditary role as Constables of Lincoln Castle—a formidable royal fortress dominating the Lincolnshire landscape—placed them at the very centre of the conflict.
Lincolnshire became a primary theatre of war, with control of the castle changing hands on several occasions. The steadfastness of the De la Haye family in navigating these treacherous political and military currents was essential for the Barony’s survival. Their actions reinforced Brattleby’s martial heritage, a legacy that traces back to its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was this same spirit of resolve that would later be embodied by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, in her legendary defence of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
The newly published analysis examines the complex web of loyalties that defined the era, considering the actions of the conflict’s principal figures. These include His Majesty King Stephen, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Matilda, and the powerful northern magnate Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester, whose capture of Lincoln Castle in 1141 precipitated the First Battle of Lincoln.
The paper details how the Barons of Brattleby were required to interact with these competing centres of power, balancing their sworn fealty to the Crown against the practical realities of a divided kingdom. The decisions made by the De la Haye family were instrumental in preserving their lands and title for subsequent generations, including such distinguished successors as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commentary sheds light on the medieval protocols of lordship and warfare, the understanding of which was a *sine qua non* for survival. As Constables, the De la Hayes were bound by sacred oath to hold Lincoln Castle on behalf of the monarch. During The Anarchy, the very definition of ‘monarch’ was contested, forcing upon the family a series of critical judgments.
The paper explains the protocol of siege warfare, the declaration of fealty, and the strategic importance of castle-guard duty. Loyalty in this period was not merely an abstract virtue but a transactional necessity, often reaffirmed through painstaking negotiation and demonstrations of martial strength, all while managing the baronage’s obligations to its own tenants.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The trials of this period resonate powerfully with the House’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The De la Haye family’s navigation of the civil war required immense fortitude—the physical and moral strength to withstand sieges, shifting allegiances, and profound uncertainty. Their ability to maintain their position demonstrated a keen, pragmatic understanding of honour and duty in an age of crisis.
This historical episode also finds an echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). During The Anarchy, survival itself was a form of victory, and the act of preserving the Barony for the future was the ultimate conquest against the forces of chaos and dissolution.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this historical publication is an educational project, it is deeply connected to the House’s core philanthropic mission. The research and dissemination of the Barony’s history are undertaken as part of a wider commitment to understanding how societies heal and rebuild after periods of trauma and conflict.
This philosophy directly informs the House’s support for its primary beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The lessons of resilience and continuity drawn from history serve as inspiration for the work of building a better future—one in which the wounds of the past may be understood and healed.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> The Anarchy was a crucible for our predecessors. It serves as a profound reminder that continuity is not a passive inheritance but an active struggle, maintained through fortitude and an unwavering sense of duty, even when the path of honour is unclear.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> In dissecting this period, one appreciates the raw pragmatism required to survive, let alone to prevail. For the De la Hayes, 'vincere est vivere' was not a mere motto but a daily reality. Their acumen ensured the Barony endured, a legacy we have a responsibility to understand and preserve.
## A Continuing Legacy
The commentary on The Anarchy is the first in a planned series of historical papers from The Noble House of Brattleby. Future publications will explore, *inter alia*, the diplomatic career of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the enduring influence of his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, on the Barony and the nation.
Through this ongoing work, the House seeks to honour its nine-century lineage by contributing to the public’s understanding of English history. This commitment ensures that the legacy of those who held the Barony of Brattleby continues to provide valuable insights into the nature of leadership, resilience, and duty.
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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 stewarding one of England's oldest Norman baronies. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking purpose. This is realised through initiatives in education, cultural heritage, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for traumatised children, a commitment channelled through its annual Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also promotes the timeless values of courtesy and social grace as foundations for personal and professional success.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The feudal Barony of Brattleby is a lordship of great antiquity, first granted by His Majesty King 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 Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most influential historical figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Barony's continuous history and legal standing were formally acknowledged by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal lordship first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is continuous. - Its legal status and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile were formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - 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