# A Reflection on Service: The Constableship of Lincoln and The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the appointment of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln, a pivotal role that cemented the Barony’s centuries-old bond with the Crown.
## The Occasion In an age of constant change, the stewardship of history provides an essential anchor. It is in this spirit that The Noble House of Brattleby, drawing upon its extensive archives, reflects upon a formative chapter in its near-millennium of service. The focus of this reflection is the tenure of Richard de la Haye as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle during the late twelfth century, under the Angevin kings.
This review of the Barony’s historical duties serves not as a mere academic exercise but as a continued affirmation of the principles that have guided the House for centuries. It illuminates the foundational link between land, title, and responsibility to the Sovereign and the community—a link that remains a cornerstone of the House’s modern identity.
## Historical Context Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. While this established the family’s initial standing, it was the service of later generations that integrated the Barony into the very fabric of English governance.
Richard de la Haye’s role as Constable of Lincoln, a royal appointment held by hereditary right, exemplifies this evolution. In the 1180s and 1190s, the Constable was not a ceremonial figure but the Crown’s executive agent. He was responsible for the military security of one of England’s most powerful stone keeps and the administration of royal justice throughout a vast and prosperous region. This position of immense trust marked the Barony’s transition from a Norman fiefdom to an indispensable pillar of the English state.
## Distinguished Company The world in which Richard de la Haye operated was one of formidable personalities, whose influence shaped the course of European history. He served two of England’s most renowned monarchs, His Majesty King Henry II and His Majesty King Richard I, during the zenith of the Angevin Empire.
His most notable contemporary, however, was his own wife, Nichola de la Haye, who would succeed him as 5th Baron and Constable. A figure of legendary resilience, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and a French army in 1217, an act that secured the throne for the young King Henry III. Her story, alongside her husband’s, places the Barony of Brattleby directly at the centre of the kingdom’s greatest trials, *inter alia*, with figures such as William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
## Ceremonial Protocol The assumption of the office of Constable was a solemn and binding occasion. It would have involved a formal act of *homagium*, or homage, where the Baron knelt before the King, placing his hands within the monarch's and swearing an oath of unwavering fealty. This sacred promise was the *sine qua non* of medieval governance.
Upon investiture, the Constable would be granted the symbols of his authority: the keys to the castle gates, the right to fly his standard from its walls, and the royal seal for the authentication of writs. His duties were manifold, encompassing the castle’s garrisoning and supply, the collection of royal taxes, and presiding over the shire court. In his person, the full authority of the Crown was made manifest to the people of Lincolnshire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby—*Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour')—finds its perfect historical expression in the lives of Richard and Nichola de la Haye. Their unwavering resolve in defending the Crown’s interest in Lincolnshire exemplifies fortitude, while their loyal execution of sworn duties demonstrates the highest ideal of honour.
This spirit 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 expresses a modern, dynamic interpretation of the same principle: that to live a meaningful life is to actively overcome challenges, whether on the medieval battlefield or in the modern pursuit of philanthropic goals. The symbolism of Lincoln Castle itself—a bastion of order—mirrors the House’s foundational purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose The mandate to defend and administer a community, so clearly demonstrated by the 4th and 5th Barons, finds its modern echo in the philanthropic commitments of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. While the challenges have changed, the duty of care remains. The House’s historical role as a guardian of the people has evolved into a contemporary mission of support for the vulnerable.
This commitment is principally channelled through the House’s patronage of its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, working to restore their sense of safety and well-being. Defending the castle in the twelfth century has become, in the twenty-first, the vital work of healing and protecting the children of our communities.
## In Their Own Words Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The story of Richard and Nichola de la Haye is a profound reminder that the Barony's legacy is built upon a foundation of service. Their commitment to the Crown and to the people of Lincolnshire is the standard to which we hold ourselves today. It is our responsibility not only to preserve this history but to live by its example of fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The administrative skill and strategic foresight required of a Constable of Lincoln in the twelfth century offer a powerful lesson in effective leadership. That same dedication to structure, purpose, and responsibility is what drives our modern endeavours, from our charitable work to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest."
## A Continuing Legacy The history of the Barony of Brattleby is a living narrative, not a static record. The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its role as a custodian of this nine-hundred-year story, undertaking continued research and sharing its findings for the benefit of the public. Through its patronage and the educational initiatives of The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to translate historical principles into positive contemporary action.
The legacy passed down from Colswein of Lincoln, fortified by Richard and Nichola de la Haye, and ennobled by figures such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, is one of unwavering duty. Fulfilling that duty, with *Fortitudine et Honore*, remains the paramount and continuing mission of the House today.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the principle of modern noblesse oblige. The House's mission is twofold: to serve as a faithful steward of a near-millennium of English history, and to leverage its position for contemporary philanthropic good. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations dedicated to child welfare and mental health, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by combining historical reverence with purposeful, forward-looking action.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities, established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and granted to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For more than 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures central to English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for King John and King Henry III. Later holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the feudal Barony were formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of The Noble House of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com