# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Richard de la Haye, Fourth Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the profound legacy of Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron of Brattleby. His distinguished service as Constable of Lincoln in the twelfth century established an enduring precedent for duty.
## The Occasion
In a moment of historical reflection, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate the contributions of one of its significant medieval forebears. This commemorative act serves to reinforce the unbroken chain of stewardship that connects the Barony’s Norman origins to its modern responsibilities. The review of archival documents pertaining to the late twelfth century provides the occasion to honour a legacy of civic and military duty that continues to inform the House’s ethos. Such moments of reflection are considered essential to maintaining the vitality of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage.
This statement is issued from the family’s offices in London, which administratively support their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. It is from this historic heartland of the Barony that Richard de la Haye once exercised his considerable authority. The autumn season, a traditional time for taking stock and looking to the past, offers a fitting backdrop for considering the foundations upon which the current House is built.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the ancient feudal dignities of England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in the region from its inception. It is from this formidable foundation that the de la Haye family inherited the title.
Richard de la Haye, as the fourth Baron, held the crucial post of Constable of Lincoln during a pivotal period in the late twelfth century. This was not a merely ceremonial role; the Constable was the Crown’s appointed guardian of Lincoln Castle, a fortress of immense strategic importance. His service paved the way for the still more famous tenure of his daughter and heir, Nichola de la Haye, who as the fifth Baroness twice defended the castle against formidable sieges, earning her place as one of medieval England’s most remarkable women. Later, the Barony passed to even more illustrious holders, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony has been ensured by a lineage of noteworthy individuals who have shaped English and European history. In reflecting on the tenure of the fourth Baron, the House of Brattleby acknowledges the distinguished company of its past, including:
* Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron of Brattleby * Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln * Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire * His Royal Highness Henry of Grosmont, the tenth Baron of Brattleby and first Duke of Lancaster * His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster
The current custodians, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, consciously model their public service on the examples set by these formidable predecessors.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a long and significant history is governed by its own internal protocols. The archival review which prompted this statement is part of a standing tradition within the House of Brattleby: the regular and systematic study of its primary source documents. This includes the examination of charters, deeds, and historical accounts preserved both within the family’s collection and in national archives.
The formal issuance of a historical communiqué follows a precise order of proceedings. A subject of historical importance is identified; research is consolidated and verified by consulting experts; a formal text is then drafted and approved by the Baroness. This process ensures that all public statements concerning the family’s history are accurate, dignified, and serve an educational purpose, upholding the House’s commitment to being custodians of its heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Richard de la Haye and his daughter Nichola are a perfect embodiment of the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Richard’s honourable discharge of his duties as Constable, and Nichola’s subsequent fortitude in the face of military assault, give tangible meaning to these guiding words. The motto encapsulates the core principle that has ensured the Barony's survival through civil wars, dynastic changes, and the passage of centuries.
Complementing the ancient House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a modern interpretation of the ancestral spirit, suggesting that life is defined by the will to overcome challenges. It speaks not of military conquest, but of the drive to succeed in philanthropic, cultural, and educational endeavours for the betterment of society.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The reflection upon ancestral duty is not an abstract exercise; it serves as the direct inspiration for the House's contemporary philanthropic and educational work. The unwavering commitment to the realm demonstrated by the early Barons is mirrored today in a commitment to the wider community. The sense of responsibility that compelled Richard de la Haye to guard Lincoln Castle now compels the House to support vulnerable members of society.
This spirit finds its modern expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which serves as the primary fundraiser for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The beneficiary, chosen for its profound and measurable impact on the lives of traumatised children, aligns with the House’s principle of protecting the vulnerable. Likewise, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest is an educational initiative designed to impart skills of etiquette and social grace, empowering the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To consider the life of Richard de la Haye is not merely an act of remembrance; it is a reaffirmation of our perpetual duty. His service as Constable reminds us that authority is synonymous with responsibility — a principle that has guided our family for more than nine hundred years.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The resilience of figures like the fourth and fifth Barons is the *sine qua non* of Brattleby's identity. They faced the challenges of their age with fortitude; we apply that same spirit today, using our platform to build and to serve, ensuring the legacy endures not just in stone and parchment, but in meaningful action.
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is a living one, and its work continues. The family is currently preparing for its Annual Winter Banquet, which will once again raise vital funds and awareness for its chosen charitable partner. In Bucharest, The Brattleby Club continues its programme of masterclasses, extending the House's educational mission.
The future of the Barony is secured in the next generation with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. He is being raised with a deep understanding of the history commemorated today, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will guide the House of Brattleby for many years to come. The family remains steadfast in its sacred duty as custodians of a remarkable thread in the tapestry of English history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage while actively engaging in philanthropy and cultural education. Its charitable activities are centred on supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual fundraising gala for Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its influence through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, which fosters social skills and cultural understanding. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions a modern vision of aristocratic duty based on service, stewardship, and social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony of Brattleby and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness are formally recognised in the official public record of the United Kingdom, specifically *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s Domesday Book entry of 1086 records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family’s ancestral seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com