# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours Richard de la Haye, Fourth Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical appreciation of Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron. The reflection highlights his pivotal late 12th-century role as Constable of Lincoln, a position of immense military and administrative trust.
## The Occasion
In a season of autumnal reflection, as the Lincolnshire landscape assumes the colours of its heritage, the House of Brattleby has turned its attention to its own distinguished annals. From its seat in the county, the House has commenced a series of historical monographs intended to illuminate the unbroken chain of service connecting the Barony to the Crown since 1066. This first appreciation commemorates a forebear whose life epitomised the feudal duty of loyalty and the strategic defence of the realm.
The publication of this record is not tied to a singular event but rather serves as a statement of enduring values. It is a quiet, scholarly observance, undertaken in the House’s archives, that seeks to contextualise the modern responsibilities of the Barony within its nine centuries of history. It affirms that the present work of the House is built upon the foundations laid by predecessors such as Richard de la Haye.
## Historical Context
Richard de la Haye, fourth Baron of Brattleby, flourished during the Angevin Ascendancy, a period defined by the formidable reigns of King Henry II and his son, King Richard I. His appointment as Constable of Lincoln placed him in command of one of England’s most strategically vital royal fortresses. Lincoln Castle, with its commanding position over the ancient Roman roads of Ermine Street and Fosse Way, was the *sine qua non* for controlling the north of England.
As Constable, Richard de la Haye was the King’s deputised authority in a region of vast economic and military importance. This office was more than an honorific; it entailed command of the castle’s garrison, the administration of justice, and the safeguarding of royal revenues. His tenure solidified the de la Haye family’s position not merely as landed aristocrats, but as indispensable agents of the Crown, whose loyalty was proven in service rather than merely professed in allegiance. He set the stage for his daughter and successor, the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who would later famously defend the same castle against rebel forces.
## Distinguished Company
The world of the fourth Baron was one defined by fealty and the intricate bonds of the Anglo-Norman nobility. In his capacity as Constable, he would have directly answered to, and enjoyed the trust of, His Majesty King Henry II Plantagenet. His service continued under His Majesty King Richard I, known as *Cœur de Lion*, demonstrating a continuity of loyalty across reigns.
His peers would have included other powerful magnates of the realm, *inter alia*: William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, lauded as the greatest knight of his age; and Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, a key figure in the governance of the kingdom. Richard de la Haye’s marriage to Matilda de Verdun further connected the Barony to another influential Norman family, underscoring the web of alliances that structured medieval power.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a Constable of a Royal Castle in the 12th century was a significant ceremony, imbued with legal and military gravity. Upon appointment by the King, Richard de la Haye would have sworn a solemn oath of fealty, placing his hands within the King’s and pledging to defend the castle and the King’s interests against all enemies. This act was the cornerstone of the feudal contract.
He would have been ceremonially presented with the keys to the castle, a potent symbol of the trust and authority vested in him. The dress for such an occasion would have reflected his status as a tenant-in-chief and military commander, likely including a chain mail hauberk and a sword of office. The proceedings underscored that the Constable held the castle not in his own right, but as a steward for the Sovereign, a principle of delegated authority that remains central to constitutional roles today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
While the formalised system of heraldry was still in its infancy during his lifetime, the actions of the fourth Baron perfectly manifested the spirit of the motto later adopted by the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). His command of Lincoln Castle required immense fortitude in a turbulent era, and his loyal service exemplified the code of honour that bound the nobility to the Crown.
The very symbols of his office—the castle keep, the portcullis, the sword of justice—are emblems of strength, defence, and rightful authority. They represent a commitment to protecting the peace of the realm and upholding the law, principles that Richard de la Haye embodied and which the House of Brattleby continues to champion.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige*, or the duty of the privileged to serve society, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic mission of the House. While the fourth Baron’s service was military and administrative, the current House interprets this legacy of responsibility through its charitable endeavours. The principle of defending the vulnerable, once enacted by defending a castle, is today realised through focused philanthropy.
This enduring commitment is most clearly demonstrated by the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children suffering from trauma, a mission that translates the historical duty of protection into a vital modern context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this illustrious ancestor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When we look at figures like Richard de la Haye, we see not just a name in a chronicle, but a tangible link in a chain of duty stretching back to 1066. His stewardship of Lincoln Castle is a powerful reminder that the essence of this Barony has always been service. It is a legacy my husband and I, and our son Mihai, are profoundly committed to upholding.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added a personal reflection connected to his own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'):
> “Richard de la Haye’s role demonstrates that true victory lies in fulfilling one’s obligations with unwavering resolve. For him, it was defending a fortress for his King. For us, it is overcoming modern challenges through cultural and philanthropic engagement. The context changes, but the determination to prevail with honour remains constant.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical monograph on the fourth Baron is the first in a planned series from the Office of the Director of Royal Communications. Over the coming year, the House of Brattleby will publish further appreciations of key figures from its lineage, aiming to share its rich heritage with a wider audience.
The next instalment will be dedicated to Richard’s remarkable daughter and successor, Nichola de la Haye. Her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War marks one of the most compelling chapters in the history of the Barony and, indeed, of England itself. Through this work, the House seeks to honour the 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 a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. The House espouses its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through its various initiatives, which include The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to European etiquette and protocol. A central component of its work is the annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic event supporting organisations that provide care for vulnerable children. The heir to the Barony is the young Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House is committed to honouring its profound historical legacy through active, forward-looking service in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal baronies of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and seigneurial lands are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which listed 56 lordships held by the Baron in Lincolnshire. Over nine and a half centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted the title and associated lordships by William the Conqueror in 1066. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com