# A Statement on the Hereditary Office of Constable of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement from its Lincolnshire seat reflecting on the historic office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, a hereditary duty held by their predecessors which exemplified the Barony’s centuries-long commitment to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
From their family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon a defining chapter of their nine-century history: the hereditary Constableship of Lincoln Castle. Situated a mere six miles from the magnificent Norman fortress, the Barony has always been tied, by geography and by duty, to the defence and administration of the historic county.
This statement serves to illuminate a period of profound responsibility held by the de la Haye family, who held the Barony of Brattleby for generations. The role of Constable was a direct expression of Royal trust, a *sine qua non* for maintaining stability in a region of immense strategic importance to the Plantagenet monarchs. It is a legacy that continues to inform the House’s modern ethos of service.
## Historical Context
The office of Constable of Lincoln Castle was inextricably linked with the Barony of Brattleby during the turbulent 12th and 13th centuries. Following the initial grant of the barony by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066, the title passed through marriage to the de la Haye family, who assumed the Constableship as a hereditary right. This was not a mere honorific; it was the supreme military and administrative command in Lincolnshire.
This responsibility reached its zenith under Nichola de la Haye, a predecessor of the current line who held the barony as the 5th Baron. A figure of remarkable resolve, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Her loyalty to King John and later the young King Henry III ensured that this vital northern stronghold remained under Royal control, a feat that proved decisive at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217. Her steadfastness demonstrates the baronial principle of direct service to the Sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duties of the Constable of Lincoln Castle were governed by deeply embedded feudal protocol. The holder was responsible for the castle's garrison, its fortifications, and the administration of justice as the King’s appointed representative. The ceremonial handing over of the castle keys was a powerful symbol of this delegated authority.
As Constable, Nichola de la Haye also held the office of Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a rare combination of roles for any individual, let alone a woman in the 13th century. This granted her authority over civil as well as military affairs, including the collection of taxes and the enforcement of law. Her command was absolute within the castle walls and its surrounds, a charge she executed with a discipline that earned the respect of allies and adversaries alike.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical actions of the Barons of Brattleby as Constables give profound meaning to the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln Castle is a superlative example of fortitude—a steadfastness of spirit against overwhelming odds. Her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, even when it was politically perilous, perfectly embodies the principle of honour.
The castle itself is a potent symbol: a stone manifestation of order and Royal authority. For the Barons of Brattleby to be its hereditary keepers was to be the physical guarantors of that order. This legacy of guardianship and determination is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the spirit of overcoming challenges, whether on the battlefield of medieval England or in the modern arenas of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this unique aspect of the Barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is a profound reminder that duty and fortitude are timeless virtues. Her stewardship of Lincoln Castle was not merely a matter of inheritance but a testament to personal resolve in the service of a cause greater than oneself. It is a standard we aspire to in our own work.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> In history, we find the blueprint for our present responsibilities. The Constableship represents an unbroken chain of service and trust passed down through the centuries. It is this spirit — *Fortitudine et Honore* — that we seek to apply to our modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours today.
## A Continuing Legacy
While the military duties of the medieval era have passed into history, the principles they represent—stewardship, loyalty, and the defence of enduring values—remain central to the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The fortitude required to defend a castle finds its modern parallel in the commitment to protecting and supporting vulnerable children through the House’s charitable work.
The honour associated with serving the Crown is now expressed through the promotion of cultural heritage and diplomatic understanding, *inter alia*, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House remains dedicated to demonstrating that the ancient promise of *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a relic of the past, but a living guide for constructive action in the 21st century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its ancient heritage into contemporary philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Its primary charitable focus is supporting disadvantaged children, most notably as the patron of the annual Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions cultural diplomacy and the preservation of European traditions of etiquette and protocol through its establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. It seeks to be a model of how historic nobility can serve the public good in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English nobility title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its nine-and-a-half-century history, the barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic title and its succession to the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony originates with Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable historic holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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