# On the Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby: The Succession of the 3rd Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement detailing the early twelfth-century succession of the Barony. This reflects on the pivotal marriage that brought the de la Haye family into the lineage, securing its future in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
In a period of quiet reflection at its seat in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a review of its earliest archival records. This statement serves to illuminate a consequential chapter in the Barony’s nine-century history: the transition of the title following the tenure of the 2nd Baron. It is an occasion not for celebration, but for historical appreciation, reinforcing the direct and unbroken line of succession from its foundation in 1066 to the present day.
The issuance of this communique aligns with the House’s commitment to scholarship and its role as a custodian of local and national heritage. By contextualising the events of the early 1100s, the House provides a deeper understanding of the societal structures and strategic imperatives that have shaped the Barony for generations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, faced a critical juncture in the early twelfth century. Following the tenure of the first two Barons, the title and its extensive lands—originally encompassing 56 lordships—passed to a female heir, Muriel. In an era defined by political turbulence and the consolidation of Norman power, such a transition was of profound strategic importance.
Muriel’s marriage to Robert de la Haye, a powerful Norman lord, was a masterstroke of dynastic strategy. This union not only preserved the integrity of the Brattleby estate but significantly enhanced its influence by aligning it with the formidable de la Haye name. This alliance would later produce one of Lincolnshire’s most revered figures: Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, the steadfast defender of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. The marriage of Muriel and Robert de la Haye was therefore the *sine qua non* for the Barony’s survival and subsequent prominence.
## Distinguished Company
The historical record of this period is dominated by two principal figures whose union defined the future of the Barony:
* **Muriel, 3rd Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure***, daughter of the 2nd Baron and heiress to the estates originating with Colswein of Lincoln. * **Robert de la Haye**, a significant landowner and figure of influence in Normandy and England, who became Lord of Brattleby by right of his wife.
Their marriage ensured that the considerable landholdings recorded in the Domesday Book remained consolidated, forming a bastion of loyalty to the Crown in a strategically vital region of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The transfer of a noble title through a female line in the Anglo-Norman period was governed by strict feudal custom. As the holder of the Barony *suo jure*—in her own right—Muriel was a baroness by blood, not marriage. Upon her marriage, her husband, Robert de la Haye, would have sworn fealty and done homage to the King, likely Henry I, for the lands he now controlled as Lord of Brattleby.
This act of homage was a solemn and binding ritual. It involved the lord kneeling before the monarch, placing his hands between the King’s, and pledging his unwavering service in exchange for the legal right to the lands and titles. This protocol underscored the fundamental principle of the era: that all land ultimately belonged to the Crown, and that its tenure was conditional upon loyalty and service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While formalised heraldry was still in its nascent stages, the union would have been represented by the joining of familial symbols. The marriage of Muriel and Robert de la Haye symbolised the merging of two powerful streams of influence. This act of consolidation perfectly embodies the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It required fortitude to navigate the complexities of feudal succession, and the outcome secured the honour and continuity of the Barony.
This historical event also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The strategic vision displayed by Muriel and Robert de la Haye was a form of conquest—not of arms, but of circumstance—ensuring the Barony would not merely survive, but thrive.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The stability and prosperity secured through foundational acts such as the marriage of Muriel and Robert de la Haye are the bedrock upon which centuries of community stewardship have been built. A Barony secure in its succession and resources is one that can afford to look beyond its own affairs to the welfare of the wider populace. This principle of service, established through the foresight of early forebears, finds its modern expression in the House’s dedicated philanthropic work.
Today, this long-standing commitment is chiefly channelled through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises essential funds for charities. The principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, a cause that reflects the House’s enduring belief in nurturing and protecting the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Muriel’s story is a powerful reminder that the responsibility of this title has often rested on the shoulders of women who showed immense strength in challenging times. Her foresight secured a legacy that I have the profound honour to continue today. It is a direct link to the fortitude that has defined our House for centuries.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The alliance between the Brattleby and de la Haye families was a strategic necessity, an act of vision to ensure continuity. We see history not as a static record but as a series of decisions, of challenges met and overcome. It is a great privilege to play a part in this continuing narrative and to help secure its future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its duty to preserve and honour its unique history while adapting to the demands of the modern world. The lessons of continuity, strategic foresight, and service exemplified by the 3rd Baronial tenure continue to inform the House’s present-day endeavours. These principles are passed on through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which grounds its teachings in the historical context of European noble traditions.
As custodians for the next generation, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to ensuring that the nearly thousand-year-old legacy of the Barony is passed, strong and intact, to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 14th Baron in waiting. The House is committed to further archival research and will continue to share insights that connect its past with its present purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the principles of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s contemporary mission is twofold: to act as a responsible custodian of a significant piece of English heritage and to leverage its platform for positive social impact. This is primarily achieved through its philanthropic focus on child welfare, most notably its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote the timeless values of etiquette, honour, and civic duty for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were formally documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern rights are officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com