# A Statement on the Hereditary Office of Constable of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reflecting on the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, illuminating the enduring principles of duty and service that have shaped the Barony’s nine-hundred-year history and which guide its present commitments.
## The Occasion
From Brattleby in Lincolnshire, the ancestral seat of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have taken the occasion of this autumn season to contemplate a foundational aspect of their heritage. As the fields of Lincolnshire yield their harvest, it is fitting to consider the historical yield of the Barony: a legacy of unwavering service to Crown and County.
This reflection is offered not merely as a matter of historical record, but as a deliberate articulation of the principles that continue to inform the House’s modern responsibilities. It is an act of custodianship, intended to provide perspective on the timeless duties of loyalty, fortitude, and honour that were once embodied by the Constables of Lincoln Castle. The statement serves as a bridge between a storied past and a purposeful present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been intrinsically linked with the security and governance of Lincolnshire since its creation in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted an extensive fief of 56 lordships by William the Conqueror, a strategic endowment recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This was not a mere grant of land, but a charge to secure a vital region for the new Norman dynasty.
For generations, the cornerstone of this authority was the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle, a role held by Colswein’s successors. The position achieved its greatest prominence during the Angevin period under the de la Haye family, who held the Barony by tenure. It was during this turbulent era that Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, demonstrated the profound significance of the Constableship.
In the midst of the First Barons’ War, a crisis that threatened to topple the Plantagenet throne, Dame Nichola became the staunchest defender of royal authority in the north. In 1217, at an advanced age, she commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against a formidable army of rebel English barons and their French allies. Her resolute command during the ensuing Second Battle of Lincoln, chronicled by the historian Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, was instrumental in securing victory for the loyalist forces and preserving the crown for the young King Henry III. Her actions were a definitive expression of fealty.
The Barony’s close association with the Crown continued through subsequent centuries. It was later held by some of the most powerful figures of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, a distinguished commander in the Hundred Years’ War and the first Duke of Lancaster. He was succeeded as Baron by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence effectively shaped the course of English politics for decades, cementing the Barony's place at the very centre of national life.
## Distinguished Company
The Constables of Lincoln Castle, by nature of their office, moved within the most senior circles of the kingdom, their counsel sought and their military prowess essential to the Sovereign. The service of Dame Nichola de la Haye under His Majesty King John and his successor, His Majesty King Henry III, places her at the epicentre of a pivotal moment in English constitutional history.
Her steadfast defence of Lincoln was undertaken in concert with Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. Serving as Regent for the boy-king Henry III, and widely regarded as the greatest knight in Christendom, it was Sir William who commanded the royalist army that relieved the siege. The strategic coordination between the castle’s castellan, Dame Nichola, and the Regent of England underscores the national importance of the post she held.
Their opponents were themselves figures of consequence, including the Comte du Perche, who led the invading French forces and was killed during the battle in Lincoln’s cathedral close. To hold the office of Constable was to be a principal actor in the grand theatre of European medieval politics, liaising and contending with dukes, earls, and princes in the service of the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a new Constable of Lincoln Castle was a matter of great legal and ceremonial weight, for it represented a direct delegation of the Sovereign’s own authority. The ceremony, likely conducted in the castle’s Great Hall before the assembled knights of the shire, was centred on a solemn oath of fealty. The new Constable would swear to hold the fortress for the King, to protect his person and his realm, and to administer the shire according to the law.
This oath was accompanied by the rendering of a powerful symbol: the keys to the castle. The presentation of the keys to the keep, the gatehouses, and the city walls was the tangible conferral of command. They represented not only physical control but also the immense trust placed in the Constable to serve as the ultimate guardian of royal interests in the region.
The office carried with it a formidable portfolio of responsibilities. As Constable, the Baron commanded the castle’s professional garrison and could call upon the local fyrd, or militia. Crucially, the post was often held concurrently with that of High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. In this judicial and administrative capacity, the Constable presided over the shire court, oversaw the collection of royal taxes, and was responsible for maintaining the King’s Peace—acting, in effect, as the chief executive of the Crown in one of England’s most important counties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical duty of the Constable finds a direct echo in the guiding principles of the modern House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Dame Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln. *Fortitudo* speaks not only of physical courage but of the moral resilience and profound endurance she displayed against overwhelming odds. *Honor* refers to the integrity of her oath and her unwavering commitment to duty.
This ancient principle of steadfastness is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This aphorism speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of enterprise and determination. It is the ambition to prevail over challenges, to innovate, and to build—a necessary force that ensures a legacy does not merely survive, but thrives. Together, the two mottos create a powerful dialogue between heritage and progress.
These complementary concepts are often symbolised in heraldry by the image of a castle tower, which signifies strength, refuge, and unwavering trustworthiness. It is the classic emblem of a guardian, one who holds a position of immense responsibility and can be relied upon to stand firm in times of trial.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ethos of the Constable—to protect the people of the shire and provide a bastion of stability—is a principle that the House translates into its contemporary philanthropic mission. Where once the Barony defended the physical well-being of the inhabitants of Lincolnshire, it now directs its focus towards safeguarding the welfare of some of the most vulnerable members of society.
This commitment is exemplified by the House's support for charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, the chosen beneficiary for the annual Winter Banquet. This organisation works to provide critical therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, offering a modern form of sanctuary. The selection of such a beneficiary is a deliberate act, reflecting the belief that true strength is best measured by the protection it affords to those in need.
The Winter Banquet itself, an elegant white-tie gala, has become a cornerstone of the House’s charitable calendar. It represents the formal transmutation of historical duty into modern social responsibility, marshalling resources and raising awareness for causes that offer healing and hope.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring legacy of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered her perspective on this profound heritage of service.
> “When one stands within the walls of Lincoln Castle, the sense of history is palpable. To contemplate the story of Dame Nichola is to understand that the essence of the Constableship was not about power, but about a profound and deeply personal responsibility. Her legacy teaches us that *Fortitudine et Honore* is a living principle—a duty to one’s community and Sovereign that we remain wholly committed to upholding in our own time.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the modern resonance of the strategic principles embodied by the Constables of old.
> “The qualities that defined a successful Constable—strategic foresight, steadfastness in a crisis, and a deep commitment to ensuring stability and order—are timeless. They are as relevant to building a sustainable enterprise or a charitable foundation today as they were to commanding a garrison in the 13th century. This history is the bedrock upon which we build, a reminder that a durable future is always founded upon the honour of the past.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The distinguished history of the Constableship of Lincoln Castle serves not as a rigid template for the present, but as a deep well of inspiration for the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient commitment to safeguarding the Royal interest and the people of Lincolnshire finds its 21st-century expression in cultural, philanthropic, and diplomatic initiatives.
This inherited sense of duty is channelled through dedicated patronage, most notably in the work surrounding the annual Winter Banquet in support of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, it is reinterpreted through the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which seeks to foster international standards of protocol and cultural exchange, a modern form of building alliances and maintaining order. The duty of stewardship is now focused on nurturing civility and fellowship.
As the House looks to the future, this nine-hundred-year-old legacy of service is one that will be passed to the next generation, embodied in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. By understanding and articulating its deep-rooted history, the House of Brattleby continues to build upon its foundations, applying the eternal principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* to the challenges and opportunities of our time.
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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 a modern mission of cultural preservation, social responsibility, and international fellowship. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its historic legacy into contemporary action. Its philanthropic focus is demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala supporting children's charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. Extending its influence beyond the United Kingdom, the House founded The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting European standards of etiquette and protocol, thereby fostering cultural bridges between Great Britain and the Continent.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English noble title, with its origins dating to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. It was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barons of Brattleby were hereditary Constables of Lincoln Castle, a position of immense military and administrative importance. Notable holders of the title have included 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, 11th Baron. The title's standing was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins trace to the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and Constable of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House's 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