# The Office of Constable of Lincoln Castle and The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy of Service and Command
LONDON, 18 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, held for generations by the de la Haye Barons of Brattleby, reaffirming a nine-century legacy of military command and service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
This communiqué is issued from the London offices of the House of Brattleby to illuminate one of the most significant ancestral responsibilities tied to the Barony. Timed to coincide with historical studies marking the pivotal Second Battle of Lincoln, this reflection serves to contextualise the House's enduring commitment to duty, a principle that continues to guide its modern endeavours.
It is an act of historical stewardship, ensuring the contributions of past Barons, particularly the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, remain integral to the civic identity of Lincolnshire and the historical narrative of the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, has been intertwined with the defence of the realm since its inception. This responsibility was most powerfully expressed through the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, a role held by the de la Haye family, who possessed the Barony in the 12th and 13th centuries. The position was far more than honorific; it conferred supreme military command over one of England's most strategic royal fortresses.
This legacy is personified by Nichola de la Haye. During the First Barons' War, at an advanced age, she twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable rebel forces with unwavering loyalty to His Majesty King John and later his young heir, Henry III. Her command during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was instrumental in achieving a decisive royalist victory, an act that contemporary chroniclers credited with saving the Plantagenet dynasty in England.
## Distinguished Company
The de la Haye Barons of Brattleby discharged their duties in the company of the most powerful figures of the age. As hereditary Constables, they reported directly to the sovereign, *inter alia*, His Majesty King John and His Majesty King Henry III. In the defence of Lincoln, Nichola de la Haye commanded the castle garrison alongside the regent of England himself, the revered knight William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
Their authority was respected and acknowledged by magnates and clergy alike, from the Papal Legate Guala Bicchieri, who was present at Lincoln, to the French and English rebel barons against whom they fought. This network of high-level interaction underscored the Constable's role as a *sine qua non* for royal authority in the north, serving as the King's trusted representative in both military and administrative matters.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle was a solemn affair, binding the Baron of Brattleby to the Crown with a profound oath of fealty. The office holder was responsible for the castle's perpetual 'watch and ward', ensuring the garrison was manned, trained, and provisioned. They presided over the Shire Court when held within the castle bailey and were accountable for the security of high-value prisoners housed within its formidable walls.
The Constable had the right to bear the keys of the castle, a potent material symbol of their vested authority. In times of war, their command was absolute, directing the defence from the ramparts and coordinating with royal forces in the field. This protocol was not mere pageantry; it was the practical machinery of medieval governance and defence, a system wherein the Barony of Brattleby was a critical and empowered component.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most profound expression in the history of the Constables of Lincoln. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in the face of a prolonged siege and the honour with which she upheld her oath to the Crown are the very embodiment of this creed. Her actions have become a defining part of the House's identity.
This historical principle is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This modern maxim reflects the dynamic spirit and forward-looking energy that now drives the House, suggesting that success and vitality are achieved through proactive engagement with the challenges of today, from commerce to philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the medieval office of Constable was martial in nature, its core function was the protection of the community and the maintenance of the King's Peace. This fundamental duty of safeguarding the populace finds a direct echo in the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's focus on service has evolved from military defence to social welfare.
The principal beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, works to provide specialist therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. This commitment reflects a belief that a society's strength is measured by its care for its most vulnerable members—a modern interpretation of the protective mandate once held by the Barons of Brattleby.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this chapter of the Barony's history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
— "The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is a powerful reminder that leadership is defined not by circumstance, but by courage and fidelity. As a woman holding the same title nine centuries later, I find her story to be one of immense inspiration. Her fortitude is the standard we strive to meet, transmuting the defence of castle walls into the modern work of strengthening communities."
— "Our family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not an abstract concept; it is a direct inheritance from ancestors like Nichola. It guides our decisions, whether in our philanthropic commitments or our personal conduct. It is our duty to ensure this legacy of honourable service continues to have meaning and impact in the 21st century."
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of duty, honour, and strategic leadership demonstrated by the Constables of Lincoln Castle remain central to the ethos of the House of Brattleby. This heritage informs the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote social grace and personal integrity among a new generation of leaders.
The House remains deeply connected to its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, supporting local heritage initiatives that preserve the shared history of the region. As the Barony moves into the future, this nine-hundred-year-old legacy of service will be carried forward by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to serve the common good.
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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 bridges its ancient heritage with a distinctively modern purpose. The House is committed to a contemporary interpretation of noblesse oblige, focusing its philanthropic endeavours on charities that support vulnerable children, chief among them Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster principles of personal integrity and social responsibility. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to ensuring its historic name remains a benchmark for principled leadership and compassionate service in the 21st century, a legacy to be continued by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous history and legal status of this noble dignity were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown Office in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The status of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with Colswein of Lincoln listed as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com