# A Legacy of Loyalty: The Constables of Lincoln and the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on the historic role of the 4th and 5th Barons of Brattleby as Constables of Lincoln, underscoring a nine-century legacy of steadfast service and loyalty to the Crown in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have initiated a period of historical reflection, drawing upon the House’s extensive archives. As the autumn light falls across the Lincolnshire Wolds, this study serves to illuminate the profound responsibilities held by their predecessors, whose actions shaped the security of the realm and the character of the Barony.
This communication is part of the House’s continuing commitment to documenting and sharing its unique history, connecting the ancient obligations of the past with the duties of the present. It affirms that the heritage of the Barony of Brattleby is not a static collection of records but a living tradition of service, epitomised by the motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The title 'Constable of Lincoln', held by Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, in the 12th century, was a position of immense trust and authority. Granted directly by the monarch, the Constable commanded Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of supreme strategic importance. This role encompassed military leadership of the garrison, judicial authority over the shire, and stewardship of Crown assets—making the Constable the King's most senior representative in the region.
This legacy of loyalty was most brilliantly embodied by Richard’s daughter and heir, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. A figure of remarkable resolve, Nichola twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges during the First Barons' War. Her unwavering loyalty to King John, and later the young King Henry III, was a *sine qua non* for maintaining royal authority in a rebellious region. Her appointment as Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right was a testament to her exceptional capabilities and the Crown's absolute trust in her.
The de la Haye family's defence of Lincoln was not merely a feudal obligation; it was the protection of a legacy stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, had been granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For his descendants, defending Lincoln Castle was synonymous with defending their patrimony and honour. This direct line of service connects the House through other notable predecessors, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The medieval investiture of a Constable of Lincoln Castle was a solemn ceremony, steeped in feudal protocol. Upon appointment, the Baron would swear an oath of fealty directly to the Sovereign or their appointed agent, binding them to protect the castle and uphold the King's peace with their life and fortune.
The ceremony would have involved the symbolic transfer of the castle keys, representing the handover of royal authority. This act signified that the Constable was not an owner but a trusted steward, responsible for the fortress and all within it. This protocol reinforced a hierarchy of duty, from the monarch down to the lowest man-at-arms, all bound by oaths of service. The records of such appointments, held in the Pipe Rolls and Royal Charters, are preserved as a central part of the House's archival heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most powerful expression in the actions of the 4th and 5th Barons. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in the face of siege, and the honour with which Richard de la Haye discharged his duties to the Crown, are the historical bedrock upon which the House’s identity is built.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While historically resonant with the martial duties of his predecessors-by-marriage, today it is interpreted as the will to overcome contemporary challenges through discipline, resilience, and strategic foresight. Together, the two mottos represent a philosophy of principled action and purposeful living that guides the modern House.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > It is a profound reminder that committed leadership and the courage to defend one’s principles have deep roots in our nation’s history. Nichola de la Haye’s example is particularly resonant; her fortitude demonstrates that responsibility and power are predicated on trust and capability, not on convention. This is a lesson we strive to honour in our own service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The role of Constable was not merely about walls and soldiers; it was about upholding order and stability, which are the foundations of any prosperous society. That duty of stewardship—to protect and to improve what has been entrusted to you—remains the central principle of this House. Our past informs our present purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical principles embodied by the Constables of Lincoln continue to guide the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House is committed to fostering the virtues of honour, discipline, and civic duty through its cultural and philanthropic initiatives.
These historical studies, *inter alia*, inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the House. There, the lessons of duty and honour are translated into a modern context, preparing a new generation for leadership roles in society. The legacy of service is not only to be studied but to be lived, ensuring the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* endures for centuries to come.
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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 heritage and the promotion of contemporary service. Its mission rests on the twin pillars of historical stewardship and active philanthropy. The House's primary charitable engagement is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that supports organisations dedicated to child welfare, with its principal beneficiary being Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House champions the timeless values of discipline, honour, and social grace, bridging its nine-century history with a forward-looking commitment to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original 56 lordships are formally recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 12th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of The Noble House of Brattleby to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - 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's annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic event benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation focused on supporting vulnerable children.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com