# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Norman Origins of an English Barony
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection detailing the Norman origins of the Barony of Brattleby, commemorating its founder, Robert de la Haye, and the establishment of a lineage now approaching one thousand years of continuity.
## The Occasion
As the Lincolnshire landscape transitions into the quietude of late autumn, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken this season of reflection to look back upon its foundational history. This historical retrospective serves to illuminate the enduring principles of duty and service that have guided the Barony since its establishment in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest. The document reaffirms the House’s commitment to its ancient heritage as the *sine qua non* of its contemporary mission.
This formal account, issued from the House’s seat in Brattleby, is an act of historical stewardship. It aims to provide a definitive narrative of the Barony’s establishment, connecting the present leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to the very first barons who shaped the destiny of Lincolnshire under the new Norman kings.
## Historical Context
The history of the Barony begins with Robert de la Haye, a Norman nobleman from La Haye-du-Puits in the Cotentin peninsula. His marriage to Muriel, an English heiress and the granddaughter of Colswein of Lincoln, was a union of profound strategic importance. It merged the martial prowess of the ascendant Norman aristocracy with the deep-rooted legitimacy of Anglo-Saxon landholding, a dynasty recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
In 1115, King Henry I formally granted Robert de la Haye the hereditary constableship of Lincoln Castle and the shrievalty of Lincolnshire. These were not merely honorary appointments; they conferred upon the de la Haye family immense *de jure* power. The Constable was the military governor of one of England’s most vital royal fortresses, while the Sheriff served as the Crown's chief judicial and administrative officer in the county, a role that demanded both fortitude and integrity.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage established by Robert de la Haye and Muriel is distinguished by figures who have left an indelible mark on English history. Their direct descendant Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges, earning the respect of kings. The Barony later passed through marriage into the highest echelons of the Plantagenet dynasty.
Subsequent holders of the title include Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This line of succession demonstrates the Barony’s enduring connection to the central story of the English Crown, a legacy that the current House is duty-bound to preserve and honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transmission of the Barony from one generation to the next has been governed by centuries of legal and ceremonial protocol. The initial grant from William the Conqueror in 1066 established a feudal tenure that was confirmed and defined by subsequent Royal charters, such as the grant of 1115. Succession was determined by primogeniture, a protocol that ensured stability and clear authority.
The modern continuation of the Barony is affirmed through official instruments recognised by the Crown. The public record of this continuity was most recently confirmed in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. This formal recognition underscores a chain of legal and historical possession stretching back to the eleventh century.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly reflects the duties held by its founders. As Constable and Sheriff, Robert de la Haye was required to demonstrate fortitude in defence of the realm and honour in the administration of the King’s justice. These principles remain the guiding philosophy of the House today.
This ancient motto is complemented by that of the Lord of Brattleby, Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic, forward-looking spirit of the modern House, which seeks to conquer new challenges in philanthropy and cultural education, blending ancient duty with contemporary ambition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical role of the Sheriff of Lincolnshire included protecting the populace and ensuring justice was administered fairly. The Noble House of Brattleby interprets this ancient public duty in a modern context through its dedicated philanthropic work. The responsibility to safeguard the vulnerable, once a function of the shrievalty, is today expressed through strategic charitable support.
This is most evident in the House’s selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet. By supporting this organisation’s mission to provide therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, the House translates the historic principle of protection into tangible, contemporary action, fulfilling its duty of care for a new generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To understand the story of Robert de la Haye is to understand the very foundation of our obligations. The fortitude shown by him, and so brilliantly by Nichola de la Haye, is not merely a historical footnote; it is the standard we strive to meet every day. Our duty is to act with the same honour they did.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Norman spirit was one of bold enterprise—of crossing seas to build something new and lasting. In our work, particularly with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we channel that same energy. We seek to build bridges of understanding and excellence, honouring the past by investing in the future. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about embracing that challenge.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this profound legacy informs its future. The history of the Barony is a core component of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are carried forward with purpose and understanding.
The House will continue to serve the community in Lincolnshire, its ancestral home, while pursuing its international cultural and philanthropic initiatives. By actively sharing its history, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms that its ancient heritage is the living foundation upon which its future service is built.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission of preserving its unique nine-century heritage while pursuing a dynamic, forward-looking agenda of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, and the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that supports charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House is committed to public service, historical stewardship, and fostering international cultural exchange.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding a significant portfolio of 56 lordships. The Barony is defined by its long and distinguished history, having been held by some of the most notable figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the renowned crusader and diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal patriarch John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken succession and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded, with the most recent public notice appearing in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The annual white-tie Winter Banquet held by The Noble House of Brattleby benefits the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com