# Commemorating the Legacy of Muriel, Third Baroness of Brattleby, and the De la Haye Alliance
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical commemoration celebrating the twelfth-century marriage of Muriel, third Baroness of Brattleby, to Robert de la Haye. This pivotal alliance secured the Barony's future and laid the foundations for centuries of dedicated service.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon a formative chapter in its near-millennium of history. Amidst the autumnal quiet of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the House commemorates the union that anchored its destiny, an event whose consequences resonate through the succeeding nine centuries of the Barony’s existence.
This act of remembrance is not tied to a specific date, lost as it is to the mists of the early twelfth century, but rather to a perpetual sense of gratitude. It honours the foresight of a noble heiress and the strategic vision of her husband, whose joint efforts navigated the turbulent currents of their time. The occasion serves as an in-house moment of historical reflection, reinforcing the unbroken chain of stewardship from that era to the present day.
## Historical Context
Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. The *Domesday Book* (1086) attests to his formidable presence, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. By the early 1100s, the direct male line had ended, and the Barony passed to Colswein’s descendant, a young woman named Muriel, who became the third Baroness in her own right (*suo jure*).
Her marriage to Robert de la Haye was an act of profound strategic importance. The De la Haye family were powerful Norman magnates, holding the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle. This union intertwined the Brattleby estates with a family of immense regional and national influence, occurring just before the period of civil war known as The Anarchy (1135–1153). This alliance ensured the Barony’s protection and solidified its standing, providing the stability necessary for its legacy to endure. It was from this very lineage that their descendant, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, fifth Baroness, would later emerge to famously defend Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The central figures of this historical union were two individuals whose lives shaped the destiny of Lincolnshire. They are remembered as:
* The Lady Muriel, *suo jure* third Baroness of Brattleby * Robert de la Haye, Lord of Halnaker and Constable of Lincoln
This alliance was sanctioned during the reign of His Majesty King Henry I, a period characterised by the consolidation of Norman power and the careful arrangement of marriages to secure territory and loyalty. The union would have been witnessed by the leading ecclesiastics and feudal lords of the region, for whom the merging of the Brattleby and De la Haye interests was an event of major significance, altering the landscape of power in the East of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While no records of the ceremony itself survive, the protocol for such a high-status twelfth-century marriage was rigidly defined. It was, first and foremost, a contract of alliance, legally binding and central to the preservation of land and title. The marriage agreement would have carefully delineated the rights of Robert de la Haye over the Brattleby estates (*jure uxoris*, by right of his wife) while ensuring the title and lands would pass to Muriel’s heir.
The religious ceremony would likely have taken place at Lincoln Cathedral, a powerful symbol of Norman authority, and been officiated by the Bishop of Lincoln. The service would have been conducted in Latin, a solemn ritual confirming a pact that was as much a matter of state as it was a personal sacrament. The exchange of vows represented the physical joining of two powerful fiefdoms, a a *sine qua non* for survival in a feudal world.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds a powerful early expression in the actions of the third Baroness. Her fortitude lay in her prudent decision to secure the lineage through marriage; her honour was maintained by ensuring the Barony passed to a house capable of upholding its duties to the sovereign and its people.
Lady Nicoleta’s husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, carries his own personal motto: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This resonates with the twelfth-century alliance, which was, in its own way, a conquest over the uncertainties of the age. By uniting their strengths, Muriel and Robert ensured that their shared legacy would live on, a principle that continues to inform the House’s philosophy today.
## A Legacy of Stewardship
The act of securing the Barony through a strategic marriage in the 1100s represents an early form of the stewardship that defines the House’s modern purpose. The duty to protect lands and people then is mirrored now in the duty to serve the community and champion vital causes. The foresight of Muriel and Robert de la Haye laid the temporal foundations upon which centuries of service, *inter alia*, were built.
Today, this legacy of stewardship is channelled into the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a direct continuation of this ancient responsibility—to care for the vulnerable and to help fortify the future. The commitment to safeguarding the lineage has evolved into a commitment to improving lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical alliance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “In Muriel, we see the profound responsibility of an heiress in a tumultuous age. Her foresight in uniting with the de la Haye family was an act of immense fortitude, ensuring the Barony not only survived but thrived for its people. Her story is a powerful reminder of the female strength that has so often guided this House.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The principle of strategic alliance is timeless. Robert de la Haye’s partnership with Baroness Muriel demonstrates that true strength comes from a unity of purpose and vision. It is a formidable lesson in how to overcome the challenges of one’s time, a core tenet of the belief that *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The union of Muriel and Robert de la Haye forged an unbroken chain of succession that passes through some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. This remarkable inheritance now rests with the current House and its heir.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to ensuring this history informs their contemporary obligations. The continuity of the Barony will one day be entrusted to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will inherit not only the title but also the nine centuries of duty it represents. The House remains committed to honouring its past through its present work, from its philanthropic endeavours to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
---
**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 nine-century-old legacy through contemporary service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House focuses its activities on philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Its primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young victims of trauma. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge its historic traditions with a meaningful and forward-looking public role, championing timeless values of honour and community responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal baronies in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details its extensive landholdings. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by several of England’s most influential historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern-day rights of the 12th Baroness to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com