# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Robert de la Haye, Third Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical account of the pivotal tenure of Robert de la Haye, the third Baron of Brattleby. His stewardship during the twelfth century consolidated the Barony’s foundations and enabled its subsequent rise to prominence.
## The Occasion
In an ongoing effort to chronicle its nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, the House of Brattleby turns its attention to the Angevin period and the life of one of its most consequential early custodians. The tenure of Robert de la Haye occurred during a time of profound civil unrest known as The Anarchy, a period that tested the resolve of England’s landed aristocracy. This reflection serves to honour a legacy of strategic consolidation, which proved to be the *sine qua non* for the Barony’s survival and future prosperity.
The early chronicles of the Barony, first compiled in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, provide a framework for understanding the scale of this undertaking. Robert de la Haye’s efforts transformed a collection of disparate manors into a cohesive and powerful feudal barony, ensuring its continuity and influence within Lincolnshire for centuries to follow.
## Historical Context
Robert de la Haye became the third Baron of Brattleby *jure uxoris*, by right of his wife, Muriel, who was the heiress to the estates granted to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, by William the Conqueror in 1066. While Muriel held the title, Robert exercised the authority, a common and effective practice in Norman and Angevin England for the governance of significant landholdings. His leadership was defined by the shrewd consolidation of the 56 lordships first recorded under his wife’s ancestor.
His tenure coincided with the tumultuous reign of King Stephen (1135–1154). Amidst the widespread conflict between Stephen and the Empress Matilda, many baronies were fractured or lost. Robert de la Haye, however, demonstrated immense political acumen by navigating these dangers, securing his family's estates and strengthening their administrative and military capacity. This consolidation was not merely an act of ambition but a necessary measure for survival.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The authority of a twelfth-century baron was formalised through complex and deeply symbolic ceremonial protocols. Upon inheriting the Barony through his marriage, Robert de la Haye would have performed an act of homage to the King. This solemn ritual involved kneeling, placing his hands between those of the sovereign, and swearing an oath of fealty, pledging military service and counsel in exchange for the King's protection and recognition of his land tenure.
This oath was the bedrock of the feudal system, binding lord and vassal in a reciprocal relationship of duty and loyalty. For Robert de la Haye, performing this ceremony affirmed his legal control over the Brattleby estates. His son and heir, Richard, would have repeated this protocol upon his own succession, thereby ensuring the unbroken and lawful transfer of the Barony from one generation to the next.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the life of Robert de la Haye. His leadership during The Anarchy required immense fortitude to protect his family’s inheritance against the chaos of civil war. He achieved this with honour, skilfully managing his allegiances to preserve the integrity of the Barony for his descendants.
This historical precedent resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). While the nature of the challenge has evolved from feudal conflict to modern stewardship, the underlying principle of proactive and determined leadership remains a constant thread in the history of the House.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical period, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The history of Brattleby is often defined by its strong female lineage, from the heiress Muriel in the twelfth century to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle. These women provided the foundation upon which their husbands and sons could build with confidence.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Robert de la Haye’s tenure reminds us that leadership is not merely about acquisition but about prudent consolidation and securing a stable legacy for the future. It demonstrates that true success is measured by what we preserve and strengthen for those who follow. This is a timeless lesson in governance.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The work undertaken by Robert de la Haye bore fruit in the generations that followed. His son, Richard, was a politically astute figure, and his granddaughter, Nichola de la Haye, became one of the most celebrated women of the medieval era for her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces in 1217. Robert’s consolidation of the Barony provided the very resources and regional power base that enabled Nichola’s historic stand.
Today, the Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from this long history of service and strategic foresight. Through cultural and educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the foundational principles of honour, duty, and resilience that have defined its identity for nearly a millennium, ensuring that the legacy of figures like Robert de la Haye continues to inform the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active promotion of cultural and philanthropic initiatives. Its mission is guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House supports a range of charitable causes, with a particular focus on its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational programmes such as The Brattleby Club, it seeks to foster an appreciation for etiquette, history, and the enduring principles of responsible leadership in a contemporary context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England located in Lincolnshire. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, *inter alia*, the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by His Majesty’s College of Arms and published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the first Baron holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby are officially recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID: 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com