# The Office of Constable of Lincoln and the Legacy of the 4th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a communication reflecting upon the service of Richard, the fourth Baron of Brattleby. His appointment as Constable of Lincoln affirmed the Barony’s enduring commitment to the Crown and the governance of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In an age of rapid change, the lessons of history provide an essential anchor. It is in this spirit that The Noble House of Brattleby today illuminates a significant chapter in its near-millennium of history: the tenure of Richard, the fourth Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln during the early 13th century. This reflection is part of the House’s continuing initiative to connect its ancient lineage with its modern responsibilities, underscoring that duties of service and stewardship are timeless.
The communication serves not to mark a specific anniversary, but rather to reaffirm a foundational principle. The role of Constable was a position of immense trust, granted by the monarch to a subject of proven loyalty and capability. In studying such appointments, the House seeks to honour the individuals who shaped its character and to draw inspiration from their unwavering dedication to order and justice.
## Historical Context
The early 13th century was a period of profound political turbulence in England, defined by the volatile reign of King John and the seismic struggle that culminated in *Magna Carta*. Within this landscape, the city of Lincoln and its formidable castle were of supreme strategic importance, commanding major trade routes and acting as a bastion of royal authority in the north. The security of Lincoln was, therefore, a matter of national security.
The appointment of the fourth Baron to the constableship was a direct continuation of the duty established by his ancestor, Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Colswein, having received 56 lordships from William the Conqueror in the 11th century, founded a dynasty committed to the defence of the realm. Richard’s service also set the stage for one of the most remarkable figures in the Barony’s history: his successor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who would famously defend Lincoln Castle against rebel and French forces, earning the admiration of the entire kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
As Constable of a key royal fortress, the fourth Baron would have moved in circles of significant influence, his duties placing him in direct correspondence with the Crown and its chief agents. His contemporaries were figures who shaped the course of English history, including the formidable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’; Stephen Langton, the principled Archbishop of Canterbury who steered the baronial opposition towards *Magna Carta*; and King John himself, the complex and demanding monarch whom he served.
His position necessitated collaboration and negotiation with these and other magnates of the realm, *inter alia*, the sheriffs, bishops, and landed aristocracy of Lincolnshire. The role was a demonstration of the Brattleby family’s established standing, not merely as local landowners, but as integral participants in the governance and military structure of the Plantagenet kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of a medieval Constable was far from ceremonial; it was a potent fusion of military command and judicial authority. Upon his appointment by the King, the fourth Baron would have sworn a solemn oath of fealty, pledging his life and honour to the defence of the castle and the interests of the Crown. The investiture conferred upon him the complete authority of the *castellaria*—the district and jurisdiction attached to the castle.
His responsibilities included the command of the castle’s garrison, the maintenance of its fortifications, and the administration of justice within its precincts. He was the King’s viceroy in miniature, responsible for ensuring the King's Peace was kept. This position was a *sine qua non* for the projection of royal power, and its holder was expected to act with both martial vigour and sober judgement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the fourth Baron are a profound expression of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). In accepting the constableship, he demonstrated fortitude by taking command of a vital strategic asset during a time of national crisis. He embodied honour through his loyal service to his sovereign, upholding his oath and executing his duties with diligence.
While personal arms from that period are not always fully recorded, the very symbol of his office—the castle—is a powerful heraldic charge representing strength, security, and authority. In his role, Richard of Brattleby became the living embodiment of that symbol, a guardian of his community and a bulwark for the realm.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the powerful to protect the weak—was the animating principle of roles such as the Constable of Lincoln. This enduring ethos of protective stewardship finds its modern echo in the philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The commitment to defend a shire in the 13th century is spiritually continuous with the House’s contemporary support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation works to provide therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, offering them a sanctuary in which to heal and rebuild their lives. Just as the fourth Baron’s duty was to provide physical security for the people of Lincolnshire, the House’s purpose today is to contribute to the emotional and psychological security of the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The service of predecessors like the fourth Baron is not merely a matter of record; it is a living standard. His duty as Constable of Lincoln reminds us that authority must always be matched by responsibility, a principle we strive to uphold today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added a perspective informed by his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'): > To understand a role like Constable is to see that true victory is found in dedicating one's strength to a cause greater than oneself. The fourth Baron's life was a testament to consolidating order and security, a form of victory that ensures a community can thrive.
## A Continuing Legacy
The example set by Richard, the fourth Baron, and other notable predecessors continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment to service is actively passed to a new generation through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote social grace, civic duty, and an understanding of historical context.
The House will continue to research and publish these historical vignettes, believing that a deeper understanding of the past provides a clearer path for the future. Forthcoming communications will explore the lives of other key figures in the Barony’s history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye and the royal Duke, John of Gaunt.
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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, is dedicated to the principle of modern nobility: harnessing the influence of a historic title for contemporary good. Together with her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the family’s work is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s mission is focused on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to traumatised children. The House also sponsors The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and the enduring values of civic responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient noble dignities, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and seigneurial lands were first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued an extensive holding of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The Barony’s historical continuity and status are formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The modern lineage and title were formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current head of the House is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com