# A Legacy Forged in Alliance: The House of Brattleby Commemorates the de la Haye Succession
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon a pivotal moment in its nine-century history: the early 12th-century succession that passed the Barony into the de la Haye family, setting the stage for one of England’s most formidable medieval chatelaines.
## The Occasion
From its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has undertaken a review of its earliest annals. This occasion of deep historical reflection serves to chronicle and illuminate the lineage that connects the Barony’s Norman origins to its modern stewardship. The review centres on a transition of power that proved foundational, ensuring the Barony’s continuity through a period of profound uncertainty in English history.
The transfer of the title from the 3rd Baron of Brattleby to his direct relation, Muriel, and her husband, Robert de la Haye, was not merely a genealogical footnote. It represented a strategic consolidation of power, a practice common amongst the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, which secured lands, titles, and loyalty to the Crown in a new and often volatile kingdom.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was first established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest and granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, marking him as a significant regional magnate. The succession that occurred in the early 12th century, likely during the reign of Henry I, was therefore a matter of considerable local importance.
By uniting the Brattleby inheritance with the influence of the de la Haye family, this marital alliance fortified the Barony’s position in the East Midlands. This proved to be of critical consequence during the ensuing civil war known as The Anarchy. The foresight of this union provided the stability and resources that would later empower their celebrated descendant, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, to famously defend Lincoln Castle against rebel forces on behalf of the King.
## Distinguished Company
While chronicled from a distance of centuries, the principal figures of this succession remain central to the Barony’s story. The tenure passed to Muriel, an heiress of the original line, and her husband, Robert de la Haye, by right of marriage (*jure uxoris*). The de la Hayes were themselves a distinguished Norman family, holding significant estates in both Normandy and England, and were trusted vassals of the English monarchy.
Their union was a testament to the intricate web of kinship and fealty that defined the Anglo-Norman aristocracy. Robert’s integration into the Brattleby lineage brought not only fresh resources but also a renewed connection to the Royal Court, reinforcing the family’s standing and its ability to navigate the complex politics of the age.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of a barony in the 12th century was a deeply solemn and binding affair, governed by established feudal law. Upon the passing of the 3rd Baron, Robert de la Haye, on behalf of his wife Muriel, would have performed an act of homage to the King. This ceremony was the *sine qua non* of feudal lordship.
Kneeling, without sword or spurs, the new Lord of Brattleby would have placed his clasped hands between those of the monarch and sworn an oath of fealty—a sacred promise to be his ‘liege man of life and limb’. This act legally affirmed his lordship over the Brattleby estates in return for providing counsel and military service. The entire transaction would have been recorded on a royal charter, witnessed by the great officers of state and sealed with the King’s Great Seal.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
This historical moment powerfully embodies the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude was demonstrated in the strategic decision to merge two powerful families to safeguard their legacy against an uncertain future. The honour was rooted in the fulfilment of their feudal duties to the Crown, a commitment upheld for centuries.
While formalised heraldry was still in its nascent stages, the principles it would come to represent were already in practice. The de la Haye succession was a living expression of duty, stability, and the continuation of a noble line through prudent and honourable means, a guiding ethos that persists in the House to this day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement is historical in nature, it underscores the enduring principle of stewardship that informs the House’s present-day commitments. The duty of a medieval baron was to their sovereign and the people who lived upon their lands; today, that duty is interpreted as a responsibility to wider society.
This sense of continuity in purpose animates the modern philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. It is the same spirit of service, translated across centuries, that drives the House’s support for charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which works to provide care and recovery for vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this chapter of the family’s history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Reflecting on the succession of Muriel de la Haye reminds us that the stewardship of this Barony has often been secured by the resolve of remarkable women. It is a heritage of female strength and leadership that I feel deeply connected to, from Nichola de la Haye to the present day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the strategic nature of the alliance: > “The union between Muriel and Robert de la Haye demonstrates a timeless principle: that true strength is built through partnership and shared purpose. Theirs was an act of foresight, embodying the belief that to conquer life’s challenges is, indeed, to live—*Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich narrative of its nine-hundred-year history. Through ongoing archival research and historical publications, the House seeks to ensure that its legacy of service, alliance, and honour is understood by future generations.
This commitment extends to its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will one day inherit the responsibility of carrying this distinguished lineage forward. The story of Muriel and Robert de la Haye serves as a powerful lesson in the continuity and adaptation that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for nearly a millennium.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby has embraced a modern, European role. While deeply respectful of its English heritage, the House is focused on cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy. Its core mission is guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which informs its philanthropic focus on organisations supporting vulnerable children, including its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build bridges between tradition and contemporary society, championing the enduring values of civility, service, and personal development across an international context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient hereditaments, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a major landowner in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com