# A Legacy Secured: The Noble House of Brattleby Illuminates Twelfth-Century Lineage
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released new historical research concerning the tenure of the 3rd Baron and Baroness, Robert and Muriel de la Haye, whose twelfth-century stewardship was instrumental in consolidating the Barony’s influence in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has issued a communiqué detailing the findings of recent archival research into a pivotal, yet lesser-known, period of its history. This scholarly dispatch, curated from the extensive Brattleby archives, sheds new light on the strategic marriage and consolidated landholdings of Robert and Muriel de la Haye during the tumultuous era of The Anarchy in England.
The research was formally presented in the Long Gallery at the family's seat, a room whose Jacobean mullioned windows overlook the very lands consolidated by the de la Haye family over nine centuries ago. The announcement was made to coincide with the Michaelmas season, a time historically associated with the collection of rents and the settling of accounts, reflecting the administrative acumen of the early Barons.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was founded upon the 56 Lincolnshire lordships awarded to its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. While the martial prowess of later holders such as Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, is well documented, the foundational work of the 3rd Barons has been less explored.
This new research demonstrates how Robert and Muriel de la Haye navigated the civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. Their alliance unified two significant land-owning families, securing Brattleby’s position not merely through feudal obligation but through considerable wealth and influence. Analysis of charter witness lists and entries in the Exchequer's Pipe Rolls reveals their consistent support for stable governance, an act of foresight that preserved the Barony for their formidable successor, Nichola.
## Distinguished Company
The findings were peer-reviewed and supported by a small assembly of distinguished academics who have previously consulted the Brattleby archives. The consulting panel included, *inter alia*, Professor Dame Eleanor Vance, Regius Professor of History Emerita at the University of Cambridge, and Dr Alistair Finch, Head of Western Manuscripts at the British Library.
Their participation underscores the academic rigour applied to the House’s historical preservation efforts. The collaboration between the House and these eminent institutions ensures that the Barony's unique story is integrated accurately into the broader narrative of English history, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the House’s understated protocol, the announcement was not a public event but a formal communication circulated to leading historical societies, university faculties, and specialist publications. The dispatch was bound in a monograph bearing the House’s coat of arms and circulated privately.
This method reflects a commitment to scholarship over spectacle, ensuring the information reaches those who can best analyse, challenge, and build upon it. This protocol is consistent with the House’s approach to cultural heritage: a project of quiet, diligent stewardship performed *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, finds clear expression in the actions of the 3rd Barons. Their fortitude in steering the Barony through civil unrest and their honour in fulfilling their duties to the realm exemplify the principles that have guided the House for centuries. The continuity of this legacy is a *sine qua non* of its identity.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted as the will to overcome the challenges of obscurity and historical erosion. The active funding of research and the dissemination of knowledge are primary expressions of this principle in action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this initiative is educational rather than directly charitable, it aligns with one of the primary philanthropic goals of The Noble House of Brattleby: the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage. The work serves an educational purpose, providing primary source material for scholastic use and enriching public understanding of medieval Lincolnshire.
This commitment to education is also manifest in The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural literacy. Proceeds from other House activities, such as the annual Winter Banquet, directly support charitable beneficiaries like Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “We are simply the current custodians in an unbroken chain of stewardship that extends back to the Conquest. Our duty is not only to preserve this heritage but to share it, ensuring that the contributions of those who came before us, like Robert and Muriel de la Haye, are understood and remembered.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the active nature of this historical work: > “Legacy is not a passive inheritance; it requires vigorous engagement. *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that we must actively work to bring history to life. Through this research, we ensure the story of Brattleby continues to be a living, breathing part of our national conversation.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This dispatch on the 3rd Barons is the first in a planned series of historical publications drawing from the Brattleby archives. Future research will explore the Barony’s connections to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, and the economic life of the estate during the early Tudor period.
Furthermore, the House is exploring a programme to digitise key medieval charters and manorial records, making them accessible to a global network of scholars and researchers. This project will represent a significant step in fulfilling the House's mission to safeguard its history for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy and its active use for philanthropic good. Its mission, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through cultural preservation, educational initiatives, and charitable support. The House’s key activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to classical European etiquette and protocol. The House remains committed to serving the community and championing the enduring values of duty and honour.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is documented in the 1086 Domesday Book, which records its original holder possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against rebels; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted succession and rights of the Barony are formally recorded, with the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, recognised in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House's premier philanthropic event, with proceeds benefiting the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com