# A Legacy of Command: The House of Brattleby and the Constableship of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection upon the hereditary Constableship of Lincoln, a pivotal office held by its forebears, which cemented the Barony’s foundational role in the civic and military defence of Lincolnshire for nearly two centuries.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House has taken the occasion of an internal archival review to illuminate a period of profound regional importance. As autumn casts its historic light across the Fens, this reflection serves as a quiet observance of the duties that have defined the Barony since its inception. It is an act of historical stewardship, connecting the responsibilities of the past with the commitments of the present day, undertaken in the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The research draws upon family chronicles and public records, reaffirming the deep-rooted connection between the Barony and the governance of Lincolnshire. This considered remembrance is not a singular event but part of an ongoing commitment to understanding and sharing the nine-century lineage that informs the House’s modern purpose.
## Historical Context
The appointment of Richard de la Haye as Constable of Lincoln in the mid-12th century marked a defining chapter for the Barony of Brattleby. This was more than a personal elevation; it was a strategic consolidation of power that made the Barony *sine qua non* to the security of the Crown's interests in the North. The Constable wielded significant military and judicial authority, a responsibility inherited from the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in the county by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
This legacy of command was most formidably embodied by Richard's descendant, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th holder of the title, she twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders, securing the throne for a young King Henry III. Later, the Barony passed through marriage to figures of national consequence, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, each man a titan of his age.
## Distinguished Company
This historical reflection is guided by the current leadership of the House, who view themselves as custodians of this long and storied tradition of service.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, have directed this archival initiative. It is under their joint guidance that the House continues to balance its reverence for the past with a dynamic engagement in contemporary philanthropic and cultural spheres. Their leadership ensures that the lineage of civic duty, established by constables and castellans, remains a vibrant principle of the House today.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of a nine-hundred-year history is itself a matter of meticulous protocol. The House's approach to its own chronicles mirrors the precision of a state office, involving the careful curation of documents, the cross-referencing of genealogical records with national archives, and the formal recognition of its standing, as affirmed in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
In an age of fleeting information, the House observes a duty to preserve and interpret its heritage with academic rigour and solemnity. Such formal reflections are issued only after thorough internal consultation, ensuring that any public statement carries the full weight of historical accuracy and the dignity befitting the Barony’s origins.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the Barony are encoded in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the dual responsibilities of its early holders. The role of Constable demanded the fortitude to defend the city and the honour to administer justice impartially—qualities exemplified by both Richard and Nichola de la Haye.
This ancient dictum is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this signifies a proactive and purposeful existence: one defined by conquering contemporary challenges, whether through strategic philanthropy, cultural education, or the preservation of a precious heritage for future generations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical role of the Baron as a protector of the people has evolved but not diminished. Today, this duty of care is expressed through the House's dedicated philanthropic work. The same sense of responsibility that compelled the Barons of Brattleby to guard the walls of Lincoln now inspires their successors to support the most vulnerable in society.
The primary beneficiary of the House's charitable focus is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, which provides essential therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma. Support is principally channelled through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that gathers patrons and supporters in a shared commitment to restoring hope and resilience to young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the Constableship, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To study the lives of predecessors like Richard and Nichola de la Haye is to be reminded that this Barony was not founded on privilege, but on profound and often perilous duty. Our task today is to translate that legacy of guardianship into meaningful action for our own time.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> History gives us our bearings, but it is the future that commands our attention. The strength demonstrated at the walls of Lincoln Castle nine centuries ago gives us the conviction to address the challenges of today, ensuring the House serves a purpose far greater than itself.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby's commitment to its heritage is an active and forward-looking endeavour. The principles of fortitude, honour, and service will continue to guide its activities in the years to come.
Preparations are already underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, which remains the cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar. Furthermore, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House extends its influence by promoting the timeless values of etiquette, social grace, and civic responsibility to a new generation of leaders in Europe, ensuring the legacy of the Barony continues to evolve and inspire.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principle of 'stewardship in action'. While deeply respectful of its nine-hundred-year history, the House's primary mission is contemporary. It is focused on targeted philanthropy, particularly initiatives supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural platforms like The Brattleby Club, the House also works to promote the enduring values of honour, duty, and civility. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its commitment to serving society and preserving a remarkable historical legacy for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and later, through marriage, by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a long abeyance, the Barony's continuous history and rights were formally acknowledged and recorded in the Crown's official journal, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's historical lineage includes Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The modern standing of the Barony is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com