# The Baroness of Brattleby Honours Twelfth-Century Predecessor at Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 20 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile yesterday hosted a historical address at Lincoln Castle to commemorate the legacy of Richard de la Haye, a twelfth-century predecessor whose service as Constable of Lincoln solidified the Barony’s foundations.
## The Occasion
In the crisp autumn air of Lincolnshire, distinguished guests gathered within the formidable Norman walls of Lincoln Castle, a fortress whose very stones bore witness to the events being commemorated. The ceremony took place in the Ante-Room to the Magna Carta Vault, a setting imbued with a palpable sense of history and constitutional significance, providing a fitting atmosphere of scholarly reflection.
The occasion was marked not by pageantry, but by a sober reverence for the continuity of service that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years. The afternoon light, filtering through the high gothic windows, illuminated a proceeding that sought to connect the responsibilities of the past with the duties of the present.
## Historical Context
The address centred on the pivotal role of Richard de la Haye who, through his marriage to the heiress of the Barony, served as Constable of Lincoln during the tumultuous mid-twelfth century. This period, known as The Anarchy, was a time of civil war in England, making the constableship of Lincoln Castle a position of immense strategic and military importance, not merely a ceremonial title.
Richard de la Haye’s command of this key northern stronghold demonstrated the family's unwavering commitment to Royal service and its deep integration into the politico-military fabric of the realm. His stewardship laid the groundwork for his legendary successor, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who would later famously defend the same castle against rebel barons. This unbroken chain of duty, from Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, through to later holders such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, illustrates the Barony’s enduring significance in English history.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the invitation of the Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan were figures representing the county of Lincolnshire and the academic community. The formal welcome was extended to a small, distinguished party that included, *inter alia*:
His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam MBE; The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln; and Professor David Carpenter, FBA, of King's College London, who delivered the principal historical address on the strategic importance of the Lincoln constableship.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a precise and dignified order. Guests were received by the Household of the Baroness at the castle’s East Gate before being escorted to the Victorian Prison Chapel for a brief reception. A formal procession then moved to the Magna Carta Ante-Room, where guests were seated according to established precedence.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile opened the formal proceedings with a welcome address, outlining the historical continuity that the occasion sought to honour. Professor Carpenter was then invited to deliver his historical address. The event concluded with remarks from Lady Nicoleta, who reflected on the theme of duty and its modern expression, before presenting the Dean of Lincoln with a facsimile map of the Barony’s lands from the eleventh century for the Cathedral archives. The dress code observed was lounge suits and day dresses.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was a living expression of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Richard de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln in a time of national crisis was an act of profound fortitude, while his loyalty to the Crown was the very definition of honour. These principles remain the *sine qua non* of the House's modern obligations.
Similarly, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was referenced as a guiding philosophy. In this context, it signifies the need to overcome the challenges of indifference and time to ensure that such a significant heritage is actively preserved and understood by future generations.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the historical address was not a fundraising event, it served to underscore the ethos of service that animates the House’s charitable endeavours. The duty to defend a castle in the twelfth century finds its modern parallel in the duty to protect the vulnerable. This commitment is the driving force behind the House’s principal philanthropic platform.
This platform includes the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing trauma, a mission which The Noble House of Brattleby is proud to support as part of its contemporary role in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta remarked on the enduring nature of responsibility.
> History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living charter that informs our duties today. The fortitude shown by Richard and Nichola de la Haye in defending their community is the same spirit we must channel to support those in need now. > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the connection between heritage and future action.
> To understand the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* is to appreciate that our greatest victory lies in successfully stewarding this heritage for the future. By honouring the past with scholarly diligence, we strengthen our resolve for the commitments that lie ahead. > > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical commemoration is part of a wider programme initiated by The Noble House of Brattleby to catalogue and share the rich history of the Barony. Future initiatives include the formal endowment of a research fellowship in medieval Lincolnshire history and a series of educational lectures to be hosted at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, fostering cultural and historical ties between the United Kingdom and Romania.
The focus of the House now turns toward preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet. This key philanthropic engagement represents the most tangible expression of the Barony’s ancient pledge of service, translated for the twenty-first century. The direct heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Its modern mission combines the preservation of historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of organisations dedicated to child welfare. In parallel, its cultural outreach, exemplified by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy, aims to foster greater understanding of history and tradition. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship seated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to the King, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding the manor of Brattleby among his 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through several of England’s most powerful families. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The formal rights of the current House were recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Noble House of Brattleby was formally recognised by The College of Arms and its rights recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a Tenant-in-Chief to King William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com