# A Statement on the Foundational Legacy of the Third Baroness and Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 16 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement recognising the pivotal twelfth-century contributions of Muriel de la Haye, 3rd Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, and her husband, Robert de la Haye, Lord of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From the archives of their historical seat in Lincolnshire, the Baronial House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate an often-overlooked yet critical period in the barony’s nine-hundred-year history. This communication serves to contextualise the tenure of the third holders of the dignity, whose stewardship during a period of civil unrest known as The Anarchy proved fundamental to the barony’s survival and consolidation.
The statement is part of the House’s ongoing commitment to historical scholarship and public education, ensuring that the chain of succession from the Norman Conquest to the present day is understood in its full complexity. It reflects a belief that the past holds essential lessons in fortitude and honour for the present.
## Historical Context
Following the initial grant of 56 Lincolnshire lordships by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the Barony of Brattleby passed through his son, Picot. It was Picot’s daughter, Muriel, who carried the title into a new dynastic chapter through her marriage to Robert de la Haye, a prominent Norman landowner.
Their tenure in the mid-twelfth century was set against the backdrop of a protracted succession crisis between Empress Matilda and Stephen of Blois. In a county as strategically vital as Lincolnshire, maintaining control over feudal lands required immense political acumen and military readiness. Muriel and Robert de la Haye successfully navigated these turbulent waters, preserving the barony’s integrity and wealth for their descendants. This foundational work was the *sine qua non* for the subsequent celebrated career of their granddaughter, Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
As magnates in twelfth-century England, the third Baroness and Baron of Brattleby would have moved in circles of significant power, their lives intersecting with key figures who shaped the destiny of the nation. Their direct contemporaries and associates would have included, *inter alia*:
* **Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester**, a principal belligerent in The Anarchy and a dominant force in Lincolnshire. * **Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln**, a great builder and political figure known for his magnificent castles at Newark and Sleaford. * **King Stephen of England** and **Empress Matilda**, the rival claimants to the throne whose conflict defined the era.
Their son, **Richard de la Haye**, inherited a stabilised and prosperous holding, which in turn passed to their granddaughter, **Nichola de la Haye**, who would become the 5th Baroness and one of the most powerful women in medieval England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The responsibilities of a Baron and Baroness in the twelfth century were governed by a strict protocol of feudal obligation. As tenants-in-chief holding their lands directly from the Crown, Muriel and Robert de la Haye’s duties extended far beyond simple land management.
Their primary duty was the provision of knights for the King’s army, a commitment known as *servitium debitum* or ‘owed service’. They were also expected to attend the King’s Great Council (*magnum concilium*), the precursor to Parliament, to offer advice and consent on matters of state. Furthermore, they would have presided over their own manorial courts, dispensing local justice and managing the complex web of rights and duties that bound them to their own tenants. Allegiance was a public and solemn affair, sworn in ceremonies of homage and fealty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry was still in its infancy, prominent families like the de la Hayes used consistent symbols for identification on seals and in battle. The name ‘de la Haye’ itself, meaning ‘of the hedge’ or ‘enclosure’ in Norman French, points to a role as protectors and demarcators of territory. Early de la Haye devices often featured simple, bold geometric charges, befitting the nascent art of armorial bearings.
This ancient duty of stewardship resonates with the modern House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude demonstrated by Muriel and Robert in a time of civil war, and the honour with which they discharged their feudal duties, established a precedent that has informed the baronial identity for centuries. It stands alongside the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Win is to Live’), which underscores that true success lies in securing a lasting and honourable legacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “In Muriel de la Haye, we see not merely a name in a charter, but the embodiment of faithful stewardship. She and her husband, Robert, secured a rich inheritance during a deeply uncertain era, ensuring Brattleby would pass to their granddaughter, the formidable Nichola. Their story is a vital link in our history, demonstrating that continuity is an act of deliberate courage.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “The twelfth century demanded more than mere survival; it required acute strategic foresight. The work of Robert and Muriel de la Haye demonstrates that to truly live — *vivere* — one must consolidate and build for the future. Their prudent governance was a form of victory, the fruits of which the barony would enjoy for generations.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and dissemination of its unique history. Further research into the barony’s medieval period is ongoing, with findings to be shared through future publications and educational initiatives.
This commitment to heritage is a cornerstone of the House’s modern purpose. The lessons of continuity, responsibility, and strategic leadership discovered in its history are actively applied in its contemporary activities, including the cultural and etiquette curricula offered at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which aims to equip a new generation with the principles of enduring personal and professional conduct.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principles of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It actively engages in cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s official charitable partner is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support for vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to advance the values of personal integrity, social grace, and civic responsibility. The House’s activities are a contemporary expression of the nine centuries of service and stewardship embodied by the Barony of Brattleby.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The grant, encompassing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over its nearly one-thousand-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch royalist who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. The Crown’s formal recognition of the modern dignity was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
* The Barony of Brattleby’s modern status was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. * The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). * Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). * The barony was established in AD 1066. Its entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com