# On the Historical Office of Constable of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement elucidating the profound military and administrative significance of the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, an ancestral duty intrinsically linked to the Barony of Brattleby for centuries.
## The Occasion
In a season of autumnal reflection within the historic county of Lincolnshire, this communication serves to illuminate a defining aspect of the Barony’s heritage. The statement is issued from the House’s seat in Brattleby, a village whose history is inextricably woven with that of nearby Lincoln Castle. This formidable Norman fortress, founded by William the Conqueror in 1068 on the site of a Roman predecessor, has long stood as a bastion of royal authority in the region, an authority historically administered and defended by the Barons of Brattleby.
The act of issuing such a reflection is itself a contemporary observance of duty; a commitment to preserving and sharing the historical narrative that underpins the Barony’s existence. It represents a modern expression of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, by championing the honour of historical truth and the fortitude required to carry its legacy forward nine centuries later.
## Historical Context
The office of Constable was far more than a ceremonial title; it was the *sine qua non* of regional governance and national defence in medieval England. For the Barons of Brattleby, this hereditary responsibility provided a direct and continuous link between their fiefdom and the Crown. This trust was most vividly embodied by the De la Haye family, who held the Barony in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Foremost among them was Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, who inherited the constableship. A figure of remarkable tenacity, she twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges during the First Barons' War. Her unwavering loyalty to King John, and later to his young son Henry III, was pivotal in securing the Plantagenet succession and repelling a French invasion, underscoring how this single office held national, not merely local, importance. The constableship granted the Barony immense regional power and a direct stake in the security of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The history of the constableship places the Barons of Brattleby amidst figures who shaped the destiny of England. The responsibilities of the office required direct dealings with the Crown and its designated representatives, including, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King John of England * His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France (later His Majesty King Louis VIII) * The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of England * The Most Noble Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby * The Most Noble John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby
The interactions between Nichola de la Haye, a castellan of unwavering resolve, and these powerful magnates and monarchs form a dramatic chapter in the history of the English nobility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duties of the Constable of Lincoln Castle were governed by rigorous protocol, reflecting the military and judicial gravity of the role. The Constable held supreme command of the castle garrison, overseeing its readiness, provisions, and discipline. A key ceremonial duty involved the symbolic presentation of the castle keys to the monarch or their appointed regent upon a royal visit, a gesture of fealty and trust.
Furthermore, the Constable was responsible for the upkeep of the castle’s fortifications, a vital royal asset. They also presided over the castle-gate court, which administered justice for the surrounding area. This fusion of military command and judicial authority made the office a cornerstone of the King’s peace in Lincolnshire, demanding a leader of proven capability and unimpeachable loyalty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the duties of the Constable. ‘Fortitude’ was required to defend the castle walls against siege and to uphold royal authority against all challengers. ‘Honour’ was the basis of the sacred trust placed in the Constable by the Sovereign.
Similarly, the motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), echoes the martial spirit of his predecessors by marriage. It speaks to the existential reality of medieval life, where the ability to prevail in conflict was essential for the survival and continuity of a noble house and its domain. The Barony's coat of arms, historically, would have been displayed prominently on banners and shields, a clear declaration of who held custodianship of this vital fortress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement concerns historical matters, it aligns with The Noble House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to education and cultural preservation. This work is a form of public service, aimed at ensuring the lessons of the past remain accessible and understood in the present day. By illuminating the substantive responsibilities of their forebears, the Baron and Baroness seek to foster a deeper appreciation for the institutional history of the United Kingdom.
This educational mission is also pursued through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural and historical literacy alongside social graces. The careful stewardship of history is viewed by the House as a charitable end in itself, safeguarding a shared inheritance for future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the constableship, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “The title is not merely a name, but a reminder of the tangible duties my predecessors discharged with their lives and fortunes. When one considers the courage of Nichola de la Haye, defending her castle and her king at an advanced age, one feels the true weight of *Fortitudine et Honore*. It is a profound inheritance of responsibility.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “To understand the history of an office like the constableship is to understand how our present institutions were forged. It was a role demanding military skill, political acumen, and absolute integrity — qualities that remain the bedrock of public service today. We have a duty to remember and learn from such examples.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the preservation and active exploration of its unique heritage. Future initiatives will include further research into the Barony’s lineage, with a particular focus on its connection to pivotal moments in English history, including the roles held by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
By connecting the ancient duties of the Barony to its modern mission, the House seeks to demonstrate that titles are not relics, but living conduits of history. They represent a continuous thread of obligation, from defending a castle in the 13th century to championing charitable causes and cross-cultural understanding in the 21st. The legacy continues, not in stone and steel, but in service.
***
**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 a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable endeavours are focused on aiding vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cross-cultural education and refinement through its etiquette academy in Bucharest, The Brattleby Club, promoting a deeper understanding of European heritage and protocol.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. The title has passed through several notable families and figures across nine centuries, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Later holders include two of the most powerful figures of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's most recent recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. - Nichola de la Haye, a predecessor of the current Baroness, held the title as the 5th Baron and served as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, one of the most influential figures of the 14th century, was the 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com