# A Legacy of Stewardship: Richard, Fourth Baron of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the historic tenure of Richard, the fourth Baron, as Constable of Lincoln. This pivotal mid-12th-century appointment affirmed the Barony’s strategic importance and its enduring commitment to the service of the Crown and realm.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has undertaken a review of its nine-century archives, illuminating the tenures of those who shaped its legacy. This reflection on the fourth Baron’s service is part of the House’s continuing effort to document and share its history. It is a moment to consider the profound responsibilities shouldered by predecessors and the unbroken line of duty that connects the Norman Conquest to the present day.
The story of the Barony is inextricably linked with that of Lincoln itself. By examining the role of Richard, the fourth Baron, during a period of national upheaval, the House honours a tradition of leadership defined not by privilege, but by steadfast service, or *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
The fourth Baron of Brattleby served during the mid-12th century, a turbulent era in English history often referred to as ‘The Anarchy’. This protracted civil war, fought between the supporters of King Stephen and Empress Matilda, placed immense strategic value on England’s major fortifications. Lincoln Castle, with its commanding position over the ancient Roman roads of Ermine Street and Fosse Way, was a prize of incalculable worth.
To be appointed Constable of Lincoln was to be the Sovereign’s trusted hand, vested with supreme military and administrative authority over one of the kingdom’s most vital strongholds. Richard’s tenure signifies the Crown’s deep confidence in the Barony of Brattleby, relying on its lord to secure royal interests in a county frequently contested by opposing factions. His service helped ensure the stability of the region and reaffirmed the Barony’s role as a *sine qua non* for royal power in the North.
## Distinguished Company
In his capacity as Constable, the fourth Baron would have moved in the highest circles of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy. His direct superior was the King himself, and his peers included the great magnates of the realm, such as the Earl of Chester and the powerful Bishop of Lincoln, whose cathedral stood as a spiritual counterpoint to the castle’s military might.
The office placed him in command of the castle’s garrison and at the centre of the county’s military and judicial affairs. His counsel would have been sought on matters of regional defence, law, and loyalty. It was a position that demanded not only martial prowess but also considerable diplomatic skill in navigating the complex web of allegiances that defined the period.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The installation of a Constable of a Royal Castle was a significant ceremony, symbolic of a sacred trust. It would have involved a formal transfer of authority, likely within the castle’s bailey, witnessed by local knights and civic dignitaries. The symbolic heart of the ceremony was the handing over of the castle keys, an act representing the complete delegation of the King’s authority over the fortress and its environs.
As Constable, the fourth Baron’s duties weremanifold. He was responsible for the castle's upkeep, the payment and command of its garrison, and the administration of justice. The castle served as the *ultimum refugium*—the final place of safety—for the monarch and the local populace in times of war, a responsibility that fell squarely upon the Constable’s shoulders.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties of a Constable resonate powerfully with the ancient motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore*. Holding a fortress against siege or subversion required immense fortitude, while the loyal execution of the King’s commission was a matter of the highest honour. The very stones of Lincoln Castle stand as a testament to the principles that the Barony has upheld for centuries.
This historical responsibility is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The strategic imperative to overcome challenges—whether on the 12th-century battlefield or in the modern philanthropic arena—remains a guiding philosophy for the House. The symbol of the defended castle wall is a powerful metaphor for the resilience and purpose that define the family's identity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical appointment, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The example of the fourth Baron serves as a powerful reminder that our family’s duty has always been deeply interwoven with the security and stability of the realm. His stewardship of Lincoln Castle was not merely a title, but a profound public trust, exercised with fortitude during a time of great uncertainty.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the continuity of purpose across the centuries:
> “One sees in the role of Constable a clear expression of *Vincere Est Vivere*. To hold a strategic fortress against all comers is to live by overcoming adversity. This very spirit, of mastering one’s circumstances with honour, informs our modern endeavours, albeit in different arenas.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The fourth Baron’s commitment to the defence of Lincoln set a precedent for his successors. Notably, his immediate successor, Nichola de la Haye, the fifth to hold the Barony, would herself become Hereditary Constable and famously defend Lincoln Castle with remarkable courage on two separate occasions, *inter alia* during the First Barons' War.
This legacy of dedicated public service, from the martial duties of the Middle Ages to the civic and philanthropic engagements of today, is the defining characteristic of the House of Brattleby. The same spirit that secured a royal castle in the 12th century now animates the House's support for beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child and its work in fostering etiquette and cultural diplomacy through The Brattleby Club. The commitment to serve and to strengthen the community remains unchanged.
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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 'nobility in action'. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, they focus on impactful philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House’s primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma. The House also extends its cultural mission internationally through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical European etiquette and protocol. This work bridges a nine-hundred-year history with a forward-looking commitment to public service and social betterment.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in the county. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com