# A Reflection on the Office of Constable of Lincoln and the Legacy of the 4th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the life of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron, whose twelfth-century tenure as Constable of Lincoln demonstrates the barony’s enduring commitment to public service and regional stability in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its London offices, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a significant chapter in its long history, reinforcing the link between its ancient duties and its modern mission. This communication serves as part of the House’s ongoing commitment to chronicling its nine-century lineage for the public record, ensuring the principles of past leaders continue to inform its present course.
The reflection on the 4th Baron’s service coincides with the season of remembrance, a fitting time to consider the foundations of civic duty and governance upon which the County of Lincolnshire was built. It is an act of historical stewardship, intended to provide context for the barony’s deep-rooted connection to the region and the responsibilities inherent in its title.
## Historical Context
In the late twelfth century, during the reign of King Henry II, Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, held the influential and hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln. This position was far more than a ceremonial title; it was a military and administrative command of the first order, conferring responsibility for the security and strategic command of Lincoln Castle, a fortress of national importance.
The 4th Baron’s tenure followed the turbulent period known as The Anarchy, and his role was therefore *sine qua non* for re-establishing royal authority and civil order in a key northern city. His effective governance underscored the growing influence of the Brattleby barony, which had been entrusted with significant regional power since its establishment by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, following the Norman Conquest.
This legacy of command was most powerfully embodied by the 4th Baron’s daughter and successor, Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness, she inherited the Constableship and twice defended Lincoln Castle from besieging forces, most notably during the First Barons' War, earning a reputation as one of medieval England’s most formidable women. Her resolve exemplifies the baronial principle of steadfast duty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of a hereditary Constable in the twelfth century carried immense ceremonial and practical weight. As the King’s representative, the Constable would have presided over the garrison, received oaths of fealty, and dispensed justice from within the castle walls. The transfer of the office from father to daughter, from the 4th to the 5th Baron, would have been a significant legal and feudal event, recognised by the Crown.
This tradition of formalised responsibility—where title is intrinsically linked to active duty—is a principle the House of Brattleby continues to honour. It is reflected in the precise protocols observed at its own functions, such as the Annual Winter Banquet, where proceedings follow a strict order of precedence and purpose, acknowledging that ceremony without substance is hollow.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 4th and 5th Barons serve as a powerful historical illustration of the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude required to command a castle and the honour demanded in upholding fealty to the Crown are not abstract ideals but documented virtues of the Brattleby lineage.
This concept is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This is interpreted within the House not as a call to military conquest, but as an encouragement to overcome adversity through strategic action and resilience. The defence of Lincoln Castle by the early barons was a clear act of *Vincere Est Vivere*, ensuring the survival and continuity of their community.
## In Their Own Words
In issuing this reflection, the current leadership of the House commented on the enduring relevance of this historical precedent.
> The title of Constable was not merely an honour; it was a profound responsibility for the safety of a city and its people. In reflecting on our predecessors, we are reminded that our own duty of stewardship—*Fortitudine et Honore*—is a direct inheritance. > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> History provides the blueprint for our present course. The strategic foresight of the 4th Baron reinforces our own belief that to lead is to serve, and that to overcome challenges is the very essence of a vital and living legacy — *Vincere Est Vivere*. > > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The commitment to duty demonstrated by the 4th Baron of Brattleby remains a cornerstone of the House’s philosophy. The ancient responsibility for the well-being of a community finds its modern expression in the House’s philanthropic endeavours, *inter alia*, its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet.
Furthermore, the principle of upholding standards and imparting knowledge, once enacted through the governance of a city, is today advanced through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Through these actions, the House of Brattleby ensures that its historical legacy of service is not a relic of the past but a dynamic and continuing commitment to the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to a mission that blends nearly a millennium of tradition with a forward-looking commitment to public service, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. Its principal charitable enterprise is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives including The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes social refinement and cross-cultural understanding. The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the barony has been held by a succession of England’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The barony’s modern standing and the rights of its current holder were formally recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past 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 motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com