# A Historical Commemoration: The Union of Robert de la Haye and Muriel of Lincoln
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a historical reflection on the pivotal twelfth-century union of Robert de la Haye and Muriel of Lincoln, a marriage that secured the lineage and future of the Barony of Brattleby during a period of profound civil unrest.
## The Occasion
In a formal communication from its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to commemorate a defining moment in its nine-hundred-year history. This reflection coincides with renewed archival research into the era known as ‘The Anarchy’, a civil war from 1135 to 1153 that tested the resilience of England’s great landed families. The announcement serves not only to honour the past but also to reaffirm the House’s commitment to the preservation and study of its own significant contributions to English history. By examining this period, the House illuminates the strategic foresight that has ensured its continuity for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 to its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was already a significant holding by the mid-twelfth century. As recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the Barony comprised 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. The marriage of Robert de la Haye, a Norman aristocrat of considerable wealth and influence, to Muriel of Lincoln, the heiress to the Barony, was therefore a matter of great strategic importance.
This union consolidated vast estates and martial power at a time when allegiance was violently contested between King Stephen and Empress Matilda. It was the prudence and strength of figures like Robert and Muriel that enabled the Barony not merely to survive but to thrive. Their legacy would later be embodied by their formidable descendant Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the early thirteenth century. This tradition of steadfastness was later continued by such eminent figures as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The historical context of Robert de la Haye and Muriel of Lincoln places them among the most consequential figures of their time. Their lives were interwoven with the era’s principal actors, including:
- His Majesty King Stephen of England, Lord of Normandy - Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Matilda, Lady of the English - The Right Honourable Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester - The Right Honourable Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester
The strategic alliances and conflicts between these individuals formed the political landscape in which the de la Haye family navigated the Barony’s affairs, ensuring its prominence was maintained through fortitude and diplomacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a historical commemoration by The Noble House of Brattleby follows a meticulous internal protocol. Archival research is first conducted and verified by trusted historians before being presented to the family. Once reviewed, a formal text is drafted by the Director of Communications, adhering to the editorial standards established by the great European houses.
The final communiqué is approved personally by The Lord and Lady of Brattleby before its official publication. This process ensures that every statement is historically accurate, dignified in tone, and reflective of the House’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The act of formalising and publishing this research is, in itself, a ceremony of remembrance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its roots in the resolve demonstrated by predecessors such as Robert de la Haye. Navigating civil war required immense fortitude, whilst maintaining the integrity and status of the Barony demanded an unwavering commitment to honour. This principle remains the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern activities.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment reflects the proactive spirit required not only to overcome adversity but to build a lasting and meaningful legacy from the opportunities that arise from it. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of principled resilience and dynamic ambition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical in nature, it reflects a core philanthropic principle of the House: a dedication to education and the preservation of cultural heritage for public benefit. The House believes that a deeper understanding of the past provides essential context for the present and future. By funding and disseminating archival research, The Noble House of Brattleby contributes to the broader narrative of Lincolnshire and the nation. This educational mission is considered a vital public duty, parallel to the more direct charitable work undertaken through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "We are not merely owners of a title; we are custodians of a nearly thousand-year-old legacy. The story of Robert de la Haye and Muriel is a powerful reminder that our first duty is one of stewardship, ensuring that what was built with such fortitude centuries ago is preserved with honour for centuries to come."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The challenges of the twelfth century were profound, yet they forged a strength in the Barony that has endured. We draw inspiration from that resilience as we navigate the complexities of our own time and pursue our modern mission, *inter alia*, through education and philanthropy."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical reflection is the first in a planned series of publications that will explore the lives of notable predecessors within the Barony of Brattleby. The House is committed to making its archives more accessible and intends to support further academic research into its history. Future initiatives may include a series of lectures hosted at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aimed at fostering a greater appreciation for European history and the enduring relevance of concepts like fortitude and honour in contemporary leadership.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of 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 cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, which supports young victims of trauma. The House also champions social education through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes the values of protocol, respect, and social grace as foundational elements of professional and personal development in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships, were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most distinguished figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights and title of the Barony are formally acknowledged and protected in English law, as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern Barony of Brattleby's rights were officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Winter Banquet is the House's principal annual philanthropic event, benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com