# A Statement on the Succession of the 3rd Baroness and Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement detailing the joint tenure of Muriel de la Haye, 3rd Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Robert. Their leadership was pivotal in navigating the Barony through the political turbulence of 12th-century England.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to historical stewardship, The Noble House of Brattleby has commenced a series of official communications designed to illuminate the nine-century lineage of the Barony. This initiative aims to provide a fuller understanding of the individuals and families who have maintained the integrity of this ancient title, which traces its origins to the Norman Conquest.
The publication of this historical summary serves as an act of public record and educational outreach. It reaffirms the House’s dedication to preserving and sharing the rich tapestry of its past, ensuring that the contributions of its predecessors are formally acknowledged and remembered *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
The succession of Muriel, daughter of the 2nd Baron, marked a critical transition for the Barony of Brattleby. Her inheritance and subsequent marriage to Robert de la Haye during the reign of Henry I established a new and influential familial line. This period, preceding the civil war known as The Anarchy, was one of intense consolidation for the Anglo-Norman aristocracy.
The union of Muriel’s inheritance with Robert’s established connections was a *sine qua non* for the Barony’s continued prominence. As lords, their joint purview extended across the substantial estates in Lincolnshire first granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. They were tasked with the administration of manors, the collection of revenues, and the provision of knights for royal service, thereby cementing Brattleby’s place within the feudal structure of the kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
The Barony’s continuity in the early 12th century rested upon two key figures. Muriel, as the hereditary 3rd Baroness of Brattleby, embodied the direct line of succession from her Norman forebears. Her status as a significant heiress made her a strategic figure in the county’s network of alliances.
Her husband, Robert de la Haye, became Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris* (by right of his wife). He was a respected Norman magnate whose own family holdings in both England and Normandy provided the Barony with greater military and political security. Their combined lordship exemplifies the medieval practice of securing territory and influence through strategic marital alliances.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 12th century, the transfer of a barony to a female heir followed established, if less common, feudal protocols. Upon her father’s death, Muriel would have done homage and sworn fealty to the King for her lands, a solemn oath binding her as a tenant-in-chief of the Crown.
Following her marriage, her husband Robert would have assumed the practical and military duties of the barony, attending the King’s court and leading the family’s knights in wartime. While Muriel remained the holder of the title in her own right, their joint administration was the operational reality of their lordship, a partnership recognised by their peers and their sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While formal heraldry was still in its infancy, the de la Haye name would become synonymous with loyalty and resilience in Lincolnshire. The fortitude demonstrated by Muriel and Robert laid the foundation for their legendary descendant, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces during the reign of King John.
The de la Haye tenure is therefore an early and powerful expression of the ethos that would become the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*. Their stewardship ensured that the Barony not only survived a period of profound uncertainty but was strengthened for the generations to come.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical communication series forms part of The Noble House of Brattleby’s wider educational mission. Just as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest promotes etiquette and cultural understanding, these announcements serve a similar purpose: to foster a deeper appreciation for the historical structures that have shaped modern Britain.
By investing in the preservation and dissemination of its own history, the House performs a service to public knowledge. This commitment to heritage runs parallel to its charitable work, reflecting a belief that a strong society is built upon an understanding of the past and a commitment to the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “In Muriel de la Haye, we see not merely an heiress, but a steward of a legacy during a precarious age. Her union with Robert ensured the Barony’s survival and prosperity, a testament to the principle that partnership is a cornerstone of endurance. It is a history we are proud to preserve for future generations.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The de la Haye chapter reminds us that a title is not simply held; it is defended, managed, and passed on through vigilance and wisdom. Their story is a powerful lesson in lineage and responsibility.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to issue further statements on the Barony’s history. Future communications will explore the lives and influence of other notable predecessors, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, the royal prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt.
This ongoing project underscores a commitment to honouring the complete, nine-hundred-year chronicle of the Barony of Brattleby, from its foundation by William the Conqueror to its present-day role under the 12th Baroness.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. It is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its nearly thousand-year heritage through educational outreach and historical preservation. In addition to its custodial duties, the House maintains a strong commitment to contemporary philanthropy, primarily supporting the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to build cultural bridges and promote the timeless values of courtesy and civic duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudatories in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over nine centuries, the Barony has descended through an unbroken line of succession, held by some of English history’s most significant figures, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous succession of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown via The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083, substantiating its ancient origins and uninterrupted history.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com