# A Historical Note on the Service of the 4th Baron of Brattleby as Constable of Lincoln
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical note reflecting on the tenure of the 4th Baron of Brattleby as Constable of Lincoln, a pivotal role which solidified the Barony’s strategic importance in twelfth-century England.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of the Lincolnshire autumn, a season long associated with reflection and harvest, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its work of archival review. As part of its educational mission, the House periodically publishes historical perspectives to illuminate the nine-century lineage of the Barony and the enduring principles that have guided its holders through periods of both turmoil and peace.
This communiqué serves not to mark a specific anniversary but to provide a deeper context for the role of the Barony in the consolidation of Norman and Plantagenet England. It is an exploration of the duties that accompany title, a theme that remains central to the ethos of the House today.
## Historical Context
The mid-twelfth century, during which Richard, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, held office, was a formative period for the Kingdom of England. Following the civil war known as The Anarchy, the reign of King Henry II saw a determined effort to centralise royal authority and restore order. Lincoln, with its formidable castle set upon a Roman-era promontory, was of immense strategic value, commanding the crossing of the River Witham and the intersection of the major Roman roads, Ermine Street and Fosse Way.
The office of Constable of Lincoln was therefore a position of considerable trust and power, granted by the Crown to a dependable magnate. The Constable held military command of the castle garrison and bore significant administrative and judicial responsibilities within the shire. For the 4th Baron, this appointment represented a continuation of a legacy begun by his predecessor Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships and who constructed the first fortifications on the site.
## Distinguished Company
The 4th Baron's service as Constable is a notable entry in a lineage marked by figures of national importance. His immediate successor in the de la Haye line, Nichola de la Haye, served as the 5th Baroness and famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, earning the respect of King John and the title of Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right.
This tradition of service at the highest levels continued through subsequent centuries. The Barony later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and was elevated as the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His successor, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, became one of the most powerful political figures in fourteenth-century England, further intertwining the history of the Barony with that of the Royal Family itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a medieval Constable was a significant act of feudal investiture. It involved a solemn oath of fealty to the sovereign, pledging to hold the castle in the King’s name, to protect his interests, and to uphold his justice. As Constable, the 4th Baron of Brattleby was responsible for the castle's maintenance, the provisioning of its garrison, and its defence against any and all threats.
The role was both martial and civic. The Constable would preside over the castle-guard, a system where local knights owed service, and would also have a hand in the administration of the King’s law within the castle’s jurisdiction. His authority was a direct extension of the monarch's own, a tangible symbol of royal power in a region far from Westminster.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 4th Baron and his successors are a vivid illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to command a strategic fortress and the honour inherent in fulfilling one's feudal oath are principles that animated the Barony's history. Richard’s tenure as Constable was a direct embodiment of this ethos.
This historical precedent resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the nature of the 'conquest' has evolved from the military to the modern challenges of enterprise and philanthropy, the underlying principle of active, purposeful living remains a constant.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the twelfth-century duty of a Baron was centred on martial protection and the administration of justice, the modern expression of this responsibility is philanthropy. The historical obligation to ensure the security and stability of the local populace finds its contemporary parallel in the House's commitment to supporting vulnerable communities.
The service of the 4th Baron provided a shield for the people of Lincolnshire. Today, that same protective impulse is channelled through the House’s support for its chosen beneficiaries, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. This commitment reflects a belief that true nobility is defined by service, whether on the castle walls of medieval Lincoln or in the quiet, essential work of a modern charitable organisation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The legacy of predecessors like the 4th Baron serves as a constant reminder of our core duty. His fortitude in holding Lincoln was a service to the Crown and to the people; today, we express that same commitment through our support for the community and its essential institutions.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Reading of the 4th Baron’s strategic command reinforces the principle that responsibility comes with position. His role was not merely titular but profoundly practical. This philosophy—that leadership means active service—is a *sine qua non* for us and informs our work, *inter alia*, with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of its long history. This historical note is part of an ongoing series designed to connect the Barony's past with its present-day mission. The lessons of service, duty, and honour are timeless, and they form the foundation upon which the future of the House is built.
This heritage will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in this tradition of leadership. The House will continue to share these historical insights, believing that an understanding of the past is essential to navigating the challenges of the future with *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a unique nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House’s mission is founded on the principle of ‘nobility through service’, expressed through targeted philanthropy, cultural patronage, and educational initiatives. Its primary philanthropic focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, the House also promotes the modern relevance of diplomatic protocol and social grace. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron of Brattleby, who continues this legacy of duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of great national and historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as its first holder. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a rare female sheriff in the 13th century, and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com