# A Reflection on the Constableship of Lincoln and the Enduring Duty of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on the historical appointment of Richard de la Haye as Constable of Lincoln in the mid-12th century, a pivotal moment that affirmed the Barony’s foundational role in the governance of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
As the Lincolnshire Wolds embrace the quietude of late autumn, the House of Brattleby has taken a moment to contemplate a defining chapter in its nine-century history. From the family’s seat in Brattleby, surrounded by the very lands recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, this period of reflection draws upon the House archives to honour the legacy of service established during the tumultuous civil war known as the Anarchy.
The appointment of a Baron of Brattleby’s kinsman as Constable of a Royal Castle was far more than a personal elevation; it was a profound act of trust and a grant of immense regional authority. It cemented the Barony’s position as a guarantor of stability and a principal agent of the Crown in a strategically vital part of England.
## Historical Context
The mid-12th century was a period of profound uncertainty, with the claim to the English throne contested between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda. In this fractious environment, the control of key fortifications such as Lincoln Castle was of paramount strategic importance. Richard de la Haye’s appointment as its Constable vested in him the military and administrative command of the city and its environs.
This appointment built upon the foundations laid by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in the county by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The de la Haye constableship ensured the Barony was inextricably linked to the defence of the realm and the dispensation of justice, a duty later embodied with extraordinary courage by Richard's descendant by marriage, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the reign of King John. This unbroken chain of responsibility would later pass to figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, whose power as Dukes of Lancaster was built upon such ancient, local foundations.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this historical moment, the House recalls the principal figures whose lives were shaped by these events. The grant of constableship was a direct consequence of the feudal relationship between the Baron of Brattleby, a tenant-in-chief, and the sovereign, whether King Stephen or his rival, the Empress Matilda.
The historical record acknowledges Richard de la Haye, who held the office with distinction, and his wife, Matilda de Verdun, whose lineage further solidified the family’s network of alliances across the Midlands. These individuals were not merely names in a charter; they were the architects of a legacy of governance, navigating a landscape of shifting loyalties with a steadfast commitment to their domain. Their actions set a precedent for centuries of service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The appointment of a Constable in the 12th century was a solemn, binding act governed by precise feudal protocol. The ceremony would have involved Richard de la Haye performing an act of homage (*homagium*) to the King, kneeling and placing his hands between those of the sovereign to pledge his unwavering loyalty. This oath of fealty was the cornerstone of the medieval social and military order.
Following the oath, the new Constable would be invested with the symbols of his office. This typically included the presentation of a charter formalising the grant and, most symbolically, the handing over of the keys to Lincoln Castle. This ritual transferred not just authority but also the sacred responsibility for the lives and welfare of the people within its jurisdiction. It was a public declaration that the Constable now acted with the full authority of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House of Brattleby are enshrined in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The role of the Constable of Lincoln is a perfect historical embodiment of this creed. ‘Fortitude’ was expressed through the military strength required to secure the castle and its domains, while ‘Honour’ was manifested in the just administration of the law and unwavering loyalty to the sovereign.
This historical responsibility also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the Anarchy, survival itself was a victory. The de la Haye constables demonstrated that to live and to allow one’s community to live required the vanquishing of chaos and the establishment of order—a form of conquest that enables life to flourish.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty of the Constable to protect the physical well-being of the inhabitants of Lincoln finds its modern parallel in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient obligation of stewardship over a community has evolved into a contemporary mission to support the most vulnerable members of society.
This continuity of purpose is reflected in the House’s devoted support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma. By helping to restore a sense of safety and providing pathways to recovery, the charity’s work is a modern expression of the same fundamental duty of protection that the Constable of Lincoln upheld centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this lineage of service, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of the de la Haye constableship is not merely a matter of historical record; it is a living principle. It reminds us that authority is granted not for self-aggrandisement, but for service and the protection of the community. This duty of stewardship is the *sine qua non* of our House.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between historical stability and modern ambition: > “In an era of profound instability, the Constable of Lincoln provided a bastion of order. This commitment to creating a space where society can flourish, even amid turmoil, resonates deeply with our work today, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where we foster the principles of civil discourse and etiquette.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of this historical appointment reinforces the House’s dedication to its modern responsibilities. Drawing inspiration from the fortitude and honour of its predecessors, the House of Brattleby will continue to champion its philanthropic and cultural initiatives in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The principles of service, order, and community protection first established by the Barons in Norman England remain the guiding tenets of the House’s activities today. This includes preparations for the annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child and the expansion of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, ensuring that this ancient legacy continues to serve a modern purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to connecting its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking mission. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House is committed to impactful philanthropy, primarily through its patronage of charities focused on child welfare, such as its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it seeks to promote education, etiquette, and civil discourse, applying the timeless principles of its heritage to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted historical succession and rights of the Barony of Brattleby are formally recognised and recorded by The Crown, with its status affirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The status of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), founder of the House of Lancaster, and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron). - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted the Barony by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. - The Domesday Book of 1086 documents the first Baron's extensive landholdings, which included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com