# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Hereditary Constableship of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historic tenure of its predecessors as hereditary Constables of Lincoln Castle, a role exemplifying nine centuries of unwavering duty and a profound, trusted relationship with the English Crown.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby turns its attention to a formative chapter in its long history: the hereditary constableship of Lincoln Castle. This royal fortress, a bastion of Norman power in the north of England, served as both a military stronghold and a centre of justice for Lincolnshire. The stewardship of such a vital royal asset by the De la Haye family, direct predecessors of the Barony of Brattleby, was a mark of the highest sovereign confidence and formed the bedrock of the family’s regional and national influence. This reflection serves to illuminate the enduring principles of duty that continue to guide the House today.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the governance of Lincolnshire is woven into the fabric of the county’s history, dating to the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded 56 lordships in the county under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. This long-standing tradition of service reached a zenith in the 12th and 13th centuries with the De la Haye family. Richard de la Haye, through royal grant, established a hereditary claim to the constableship of Lincoln Castle, an office that also encompassed the duties of the Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
This appointment, held consistently across generations, was far from ceremonial. It ensured the Barons of Brattleby maintained a direct and crucial link to the royal administration of the realm. The trust placed in Richard and subsequently his remarkable daughter, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, underscored the family’s role as the Crown’s indispensable agents in a strategic, and often volatile, region of England.
## Distinguished Company
The story of the constableship is one defined by the powerful relationships between the Barons of Brattleby and the Plantagenet monarchs they served. The key figures in this saga include:
* **King Stephen of England**, whose reign was marked by the civil war known as The Anarchy, during which the loyalty of castellans like the Baron of Brattleby was paramount. * **King Henry II of England**, who confirmed the hereditary nature of the constableship upon Richard de la Haye, formalising a bond of trust and service. * **Richard de la Haye**, who solidified the family’s control of the castle and its associated shrievalty, demonstrating great administrative and military acumen. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron**, a truly formidable figure in English history who, as a widow, twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces, most notably during the First Barons' War for King John and the young King Henry III.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The role of a hereditary Constable and Sheriff was governed by strict and solemn protocols. Upon inheritance, the new constable would swear an oath of fealty directly to the monarch or their appointed representative, pledging to hold the castle in the King’s name, to uphold his justice, and to defend it against all enemies.
Their duties were manifold: commanding the castle’s garrison, maintaining its fortifications, presiding over the shire court, and collecting royal taxes. The constable acted as the physical embodiment of the King’s authority. The successful defence of the castle by Nichola de la Haye was not merely a military victory; it was the ultimate fulfilment of this sacred sworn duty, an act of personal loyalty that secured the throne for the young Henry III at a moment of national crisis.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most powerful expression in the actions of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye. Her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle, undertaken with immense personal courage and unwavering integrity, perfectly encapsulates this principle. Fortitude was demonstrated in her military resolve against overwhelming odds; honour was shown in her unshakeable loyalty to the Crown she was sworn to serve.
This spirit of determined action is also echoed in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different context, it shares a philosophy of purposeful action and the will to overcome adversity, linking the House’s present to the most celebrated moments of its past.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of a hereditary duty to serve the community and the state informs the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historic obligation to provide security and justice for the people of Lincolnshire has evolved into a contemporary commitment to social well-being and philanthropy. This principle is the *sine qua non* of the House's present-day endeavours.
The House's selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet is a direct continuation of this ethos. The organisation’s mission—to provide specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma—is a modern form of protection for the most vulnerable in society. It represents a translation of the ancient duty of defence into a commitment to healing and strengthening the community from within.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “When we look at the actions of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, we are not simply observing history; we are receiving a standard to which we must hold ourselves accountable. Her fortitude in the face of immense pressure is a powerful reminder that leadership is, above all, an act of service and responsibility. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not just a motto on a crest; it is a living instruction.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The trust placed by the Crown in the early Barons was absolute, earned over generations. In our own time, we strive to earn that same trust from the communities we support, whether in Lincolnshire or through our cultural work in Bucharest. Legacy is not what one inherits, but what one contributes.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This profound understanding of its history continues to shape the future direction of The Noble House of Brattleby. The focus remains steadfastly on service, expressed through targeted philanthropy, cultural patronage, and the promotion of civic virtue. The House's work, *inter alia*, with its charitable partners and through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, is part of this unbroken chain of responsibility.
As the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is educated in this tradition, the House ensures that the nine-century-old commitment to fortitude and honour will continue to define its purpose for the generation to come, adapting to the challenges of the modern world while remaining true to its foundational principles.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 a mission of contemporary public service. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on targeted philanthropy, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the promotion of classical etiquette and civic values. The House’s principal charitable endeavour is its support for organisations dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of children. Through initiatives like its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House uses its historic platform to create a positive and lasting impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the title has passed through lines of distinguished predecessors noted for their loyal service to the Crown and their influence on English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com