# A Legacy Forged in The Anarchy: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Service of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues the first of a historical series illuminating the lineage of the Barony. This communiqué reflects on the foundational service of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, during England's 12th-century civil war.
## The Occasion
In an initiative to bridge its profound history with a contemporary audience, the House of Brattleby has commenced a series of digital publications. These historical retrospectives are designed to explore the contributions of key figures who have held the Barony over its near-millennium of existence.
This first instalment serves to contextualise the enduring principles of the House. By examining a period of profound national crisis, it seeks to underscore the origins of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This series aligns with the House's wider educational mission, which includes the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural history.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye assumed the Barony of Brattleby during one of mediaeval England’s most turbulent periods, The Anarchy (1135–1153). This protracted civil war, fought between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda over the succession to the throne, plunged the kingdom into chaos and fractured baronial loyalties. At this pivotal moment, Richard de la Haye also inherited the hereditary Constableship of Lincoln Castle.
This position was no mere sinecure; it was a critical military command. Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress dominating the ancient Roman crossroads of Ermine Street and Fosse Way, was the strategic key to controlling the East Midlands. The fourth Baron’s steadfast service ensured this vital stronghold remained a bastion of royal authority, placing the resources and military strength of the Brattleby Barony at the service of the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
During this era, the Baron of Brattleby moved amongst the most powerful figures in the realm. His duties as Constable brought him into the direct orbit of the principal belligerents, His Majesty King Stephen and Her Imperial Majesty The Empress Matilda. The political landscape was shaped by magnates whose allegiances could determine the fate of the kingdom.
Among these great men was Richard de la Haye’s own father-in-law, Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, who was the Empress Matilda’s illegitimate half-brother and chief military commander. This familial connection placed the fourth Baron at a nexus of conflicting loyalties, demanding exceptional political acumen and personal integrity to navigate successfully. His ability to maintain the King's peace in Lincolnshire, whilst managing such complex relationships, is a testament to his character.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The life of a 12th-century baron was governed by deeply ingrained feudal protocols. As a tenant-in-chief holding his lands directly from the King, Richard de la Haye’s primary obligation was sworn fealty—a sacred oath of loyalty and military service. This oath was the bedrock of the entire social and political order.
As Constable, his duties transcended the standard obligations of a baron. He was responsible for the castle's garrison, the maintenance of its defences, and the administration of justice within its walls. The protocol of command involved mustering knights and men-at-arms, securing provisions for sieges, and executing royal writs. His actions reinforced the principle that rank entailed solemn responsibility, a concept the House of Brattleby continues to honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formal registration of arms evolved in the decades following The Anarchy, the spirit of the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is perfectly encapsulated by the fourth Baron's conduct. His tenure demanded immense *fortitudine* (fortitude, courage, endurance) to defend his charge amidst the pressures of civil war.
Equally, his service was defined by *honore* (honour, integrity), as he upheld his sworn duty to maintain order for the Crown and protect the local populace from the conflict's worst depredations. His legacy also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). For Richard de la Haye, to conquer the chaos of his time was to ensure that the community, the Barony, and the lineage would live on.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In an era predating modern philanthropy, a baron’s pre-eminent charitable duty was the protection of the people living on his lands. By ensuring the stability of Lincoln and its environs, Richard de la Haye fulfilled a vital social function, shielding countless families from the violence and famine that plagued other parts of England.
This fundamental commitment to securing the welfare of the vulnerable is a historical precursor to the modern House's philanthropic focus. Today, this tradition finds its expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises essential funds for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. The House holds that protecting the innocent remains a timeless obligation of its leadership.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "Reflecting on the tenure of the fourth Baron is to understand that the character of this House was forged in service and adversity. Richard de la Haye's commitment to stability during The Anarchy is a powerful reminder that leadership, at its core, is about stewardship—an ideal we strive to uphold today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The chronicles of that period are stark. To hold a great castle like Lincoln for the Crown, while a kingdom tore itself apart, required immense resolve. It is a profound example of *Vincere Est Vivere*; not merely conquering an enemy, but surviving the chaos to build for the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
This communiqué is the first in a planned series that will continue to explore the rich history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future publications will examine the lives and legacies of other significant holders of the title who have shaped its nine-century history.
Among those to be featured are Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of England’s most celebrated chivalric figures; and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence defined the late 14th century. Through this series, the House of Brattleby seeks to honour its past as it charts its course for the future.
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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 bridging its ancient heritage with a dynamic, modern purpose. Its mission is centred on cultural education, the preservation of historical legacies, and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet benefiting charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House strives to make a meaningful contribution to contemporary society while honouring the obligations of its past. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal lordships in England, having been granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most formidable figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders include the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's creation dates to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. - The title's succession was formally published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the designated 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com