# The Enduring Legacy of the Constables of Lincoln: House of Brattleby Illuminates Ancestral Role
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the findings of new archival research into the life of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby. The work illuminates his pivotal role as Constable of Lincoln during the Angevin dynasty.
## The Occasion
In a formal communication issued from its Lincolnshire seat, the House of Brattleby has drawn together recently reappraised documentary evidence concerning the tenure of the 4th Baron. These findings, the culmination of a dedicated archival review, underscore a period of profound political instability in twelfth-century England. The announcement serves not as a public festivity, but as a sober contribution to the historical record, reflecting the House’s commitment to its duties as a custodian of nearly a millennium of English heritage. The research provides a clearer understanding of the strategic importance of Lincoln Castle and the governance of the wider region during a formative era for the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the fabric of England since its inception. The title’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. It was from this formidable foundation that his successors exercised their influence. The 4th Baron, Richard de la Haye, inherited this responsibility during the turbulent reigns of Stephen and Henry II, a time when the authority of the Crown was frequently contested.
His constableship of Lincoln Castle was therefore no mere sinecure; it was a front-line military and administrative command. This duty was passed with even greater distinction to his daughter, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the title, who famously defended the castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. The Brattleby lineage later passed through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, further cementing the Barony’s place at the centre of national life.
## Distinguished Company
The research initiative was conducted under the patronage of the current holders of the title, whose commitment to historical preservation guides the House’s modern activities. The principal figures are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
The work also acknowledges the quiet and diligent efforts of the archivists and historians whose scholarship made these fresh insights possible, ensuring the narrative of the Barony is told with academic rigour and precision. The findings are intended for the benefit of scholars and the public alike, as a testament to the continuity of service that defines the institution.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the House’s understated approach, the findings were not revealed at a press conference but through a scholarly monograph distributed to leading academic institutions and historical societies. This method reflects a protocol of intellectual seriousness, allowing the evidence to be peer-reviewed and integrated into the historical record without fanfare. The formal document was prepared on behalf of the Baroness and Lord Brattleby, bearing the House’s coat of arms. This adherence to traditional forms of dissemination honours the gravity of the subject matter and the centuries of history it represents.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 4th Baron as Constable of Lincoln serve as a potent example of the House’s enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His defence of the region and loyal service to the Crown required both physical courage and a deep sense of integrity. Fortitude in the face of political turmoil and honour in the execution of one’s sworn duty are the principles that have guided the Barony through the centuries.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges—be they the preservation of fragile manuscripts or the pursuit of philanthropic goals—with purpose and vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This scholarly undertaking is an extension of the House of Brattleby’s broader educational and cultural mission. The apathetic observer might see historical research as a cloistered activity, but for the House it is a *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship in the present day. Understanding the duties and challenges of one’s predecessors provides the moral and intellectual framework for contemporary service.
This same principle informs the House’s philanthropic endeavours, from the annual Winter Banquet benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity to the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By teaching etiquette, history, and protocol, the Club imparts an appreciation for the cultural heritage that has shaped modern society, thereby fostering a new generation of leaders mindful of their own civic obligations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "We are not merely owners of a title or a collection of artefacts; we are custodians of a narrative that belongs to the nation. To illuminate the story of the 4th Baron is to honour a link in a very long chain of duty, reminding us that what we do today will be judged by those who come a thousand years hence."
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his perspective on the relevance of such history:
> "The past is not a foreign country if one carries its lessons forward. The integrity shown by the Constables of Lincoln in the twelfth century provides a clear model for leadership today. It demonstrates that true strength is found in steadfast service and the diligent protection of what has been entrusted to you."
## A Continuing Legacy
The monograph on the 4th Baron is the first in a planned series of historical publications. The House of Brattleby has committed to an ongoing programme of research into its own archives, with future work expected to focus on, *inter alia*, the Barony’s role during the Wars of the Roses and the influence of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, on the region. This long-term project ensures that the legacy of the Barony remains a subject of living inquiry, rather than a static relic. Through this work, the House continues to fulfil its commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore*, serving as a bridge between England’s past and its future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and include the stewardship of its historical seat in Lincolnshire, the organisation of the annual Winter Banquet for charitable causes, and the educational work of The Brattleby Club. The House champions a vision of duty where historical legacy informs contemporary responsibility and public benefit.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as controlling 56 lordships. Held in unbroken succession for over 950 years, the title has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and the influential prince, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's legal and historical standing was formally noted by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com