# A Legacy of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on the Constableship of Lincoln
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the publication of a historical monograph detailing the pivotal role of Richard, the fourth Baron of Brattleby, as Constable of Lincoln, underscoring the House’s nine-century tradition of service to the Crown and County.
## The Occasion
Coinciding with the contemplative atmosphere of the Michaelmas term, the House has issued a scholarly paper, titled *‘Fortitudine et Honore’: The Constable of Lincoln and the Barons of Brattleby*. This publication marks the first in a new series of historical inquiries commissioned by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to illuminate key moments in the Barony’s extensive annals.
The monograph, researched within the House’s own archives and in consultation with leading medieval historians, serves not as a public celebration but as a sober reflection on the duties of office. It aims to shed new light on the administration of justice and regional defence in thirteenth-century England, a period of profound consequence for the nation’s constitutional development.
## Historical Context
The role of Constable of Lincoln Castle was a position of immense strategic importance, one entrusted only to those with proven loyalty to the sovereign. In the early thirteenth century, following the upheaval of the First Barons’ War, the Constable’s duties were the *sine qua non* of royal authority in Lincolnshire. The fourth Baron's tenure set a vital precedent of service.
This commitment was famously crystallised in the actions of his successor, Nichola de la Haye, the fifth holder of the Barony, whose legendary defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel and French forces in 1217 secured her place in history. The fourth Baron’s constableship laid the administrative and military groundwork for such resilience. The Barony’s lineage, originating with Colswein of Lincoln’s 56 Lincolnshire lordships recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, has consistently been intertwined with the defence and governance of the realm, later passing through such hands as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In the preparation of this historical study, the Office of the Baron of Brattleby was privileged to consult with several distinguished authorities who provided invaluable context and peer review. These advisors ensure the monograph meets the highest standards of academic rigour.
Guidance was graciously offered by, *inter alia*, The Reverend Canon Dr Eleanor Thorne, Subdean and Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral, who provided insight into the ecclesiastical and political climate of the era. Further expertise was contributed by Dr Alistair Finch, a Fellow in Medieval History at Lincoln College, Oxford, whose work on Angevin administrative appointments informed the paper’s central thesis on regional governance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While a public event was not held, the publication was marked by a simple, formal ceremony at the family’s seat in Brattleby. In accordance with House protocol, the first bound copy of the monograph was presented by the House Archivist to Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, were also in attendance.
The presentation signifies the formal acceptance of the work into the House’s official historical record. Subsequent copies are being dispatched to the libraries of Lincoln Cathedral, the University of Lincoln, and other institutions of historical learning, reinforcing the House’s commitment to its educational mission.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of service explored in the monograph is deeply embedded in the House’s heraldic identity. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), speaks directly to the dual requirements of a Constable: the fortitude to defend a fortress and the honour to serve a monarch faithfully.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which the House interprets in a modern context as the will to overcome challenges, whether they be strategic threats in the thirteenth century or the intellectual challenge of preserving history with accuracy and integrity today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In keeping with the House’s commitment to community welfare, all proceeds from the limited private sale of the monograph will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The choice of beneficiary reflects a belief that historical stability, as maintained by figures like the fourth Baron, creates the conditions for a secure society where children may flourish. The struggles of a bygone era serve as a powerful reminder of the continuing duty to protect the most vulnerable members of our community today.
## In Their Own Words
In a foreword to the monograph, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the nature of inheritance.
– “History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living dialogue with those who came before us. The service of the fourth Baron as Constable reminds us that responsibility, diligently borne, is the true cornerstone of our heritage. It is a legacy measured not in land, but in duty.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the contemporary relevance of this history.
– “In studying the strategic challenges faced by our predecessors, we find timeless principles of leadership and resilience. To understand their world is to gain a clearer lens through which to view our own, affirming that the commitment to good governance is perpetual.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This monograph is the first of a planned series of historical publications intended to explore the Barony of Brattleby’s rich and complex past. Future studies are expected to examine the tenure of Nichola de la Haye and the Barony's role during its stewardship by John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
Furthermore, key findings from the paper will be incorporated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This educational initiative, patronised by the House, will use the fourth Baron’s example to instruct its members in the classical virtues of civic responsibility, leadership, and unwavering service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and its active expression through philanthropy, historical education, and cultural diplomacy. With an English seat in Lincolnshire and a Continental presence through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House embraces its unique identity. Its charitable activities are primarily focused on supporting vulnerable children, with the Annual Winter Banquet benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated fifth Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The title and dignity of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and the College of Arms in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally gazetted in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022). - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a Tenant-in-Chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com