# A Tradition of Service: The Office of Constable and the Legacy of the 4th Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the historic office held by Richard, the 4th Baron of Brattleby, whose duty as Constable of Lincoln in a period of national crisis exemplifies the nine centuries of service underpinning the House’s modern mission.
## The Occasion
In the quiet scholarship of its archival study in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a detailed review of its medieval lineage. This period of reflection focuses on the early 13th century, a time of profound civil unrest in England. The formal examination of charters and rolls serves to connect the House’s present-day responsibilities with the historic duties discharged by its predecessors.
This act of historical remembrance is not a singular event but part of a continuing commitment to understand and articulate the long tradition of custodianship inherent in the Barony. It is a sober academic pursuit, intended to reinforce the principles that have guided the House for nearly a millennium. The study provides the context for the family's contemporary philanthropic and educational endeavours.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, created following the Norman Conquest, has been a witness to the evolution of the English nation. Its story begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, whose 56 lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundation established the Barony as a significant power in Lincolnshire, tasked with upholding the King’s peace.
This duty found its starkest expression in the service of Richard, the 4th Baron, who held the office of Constable of Lincoln. In the early 13th century, this was no ceremonial post; it was a front-line military and administrative command responsible for the defence of Lincoln Castle, a fortress of immense strategic importance. Richard's tenure set the stage for his celebrated successor, Nichola de la Haye—the 5th Baroness in her own right—whose legendary defence of the castle for the Crown solidified the Brattleby name as a byword for loyalty.
Later centuries saw the title pass through figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. These connections placed the Barony at the very centre of state affairs, a tradition of service that informs the House to this day.
## Distinguished Company
This historical continuity is embodied by a lineage of notable figures whose actions have shaped the region and the nation:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate granted substantial lands by William the Conqueror. * **Richard**, 4th Baron of Brattleby, whose role as Constable of Lincoln was pivotal in maintaining regional stability during a period of civil war. * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, a formidable hereditary castellan who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. * **John of Gaunt**, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century. * **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who today presides over the House's cultural and philanthropic responsibilities. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby, who supports the Baroness in the administration of the House and its modern initiatives.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a history carries its own protocol. The examination of the House’s archives follows a meticulous process, treating ancient documents not merely as records but as tangible links to the past. Each charter and manuscript is handled with curatorial precision.
The scholarly review involves palaeographic analysis to verify script and carbon-dating to confirm provenance. This disciplined approach is considered a duty in itself, a modern form of the vigilance once required of the Constable of Lincoln. The findings are then cross-referenced with national archives, ensuring that the House’s private history is accurately placed within the broader public narrative. This rigour is the *sine qua non* of responsible historical custodianship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are codified in its heraldry. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the legacy of figures like the 4th and 5th Barons. Their defence of Lincoln was a clear demonstration of fortitude in the face of rebellion and honour in their service to the sovereign.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges. It reflects a dynamic and forward-looking approach to the family’s responsibilities, from cultural preservation to active philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The concept of service, once military and administrative, has evolved into a commitment to public good. The House’s premier philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a direct expression of this modern duty. The white-tie gala benefits Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma.
The choice of beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the House's belief that protecting the most vulnerable is a foundational responsibility of any society. Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to etiquette and protocol, translates the principle of honour into an educational mission to foster social grace and cross-cultural understanding.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "When we consider the service of the 4th Baron or the resolve of Nichola de la Haye, we are reminded that our inheritance is not one of property, but of responsibility. Their fortitude is a standard we must strive to meet, albeit in a very different world. *Fortitudine et Honore* is less a motto than it is a standing instruction."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The challenges have changed, but the obligation to act has not. Where our predecessors defended castle walls, we must now work to fortify the fabric of civil society. Whether through our educational work or our support for children’s welfare, the goal remains the same: to make a meaningful and positive contribution. That, for me, is the modern expression of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its historical legacy remains a vibrant and active force for good. The ongoing archival research will continue, with key findings shared through scholarly papers and cultural programmes designed to make this unique history accessible to a wider audience.
Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which will seek to increase support for the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club will expand its curriculum, furthering its mission to promote cultural diplomacy and personal development. Through these endeavours, *inter alia*, the House continues to honour a legacy of service now approaching its tenth century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage and its active expression through modern philanthropy and education. The House’s foremost charitable commitment is its support for organisations focused on child welfare, notably demonstrated through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. In parallel, its educational mission is advanced through The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest that promotes classical etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to serve the community and uphold the values of duty and integrity that have defined its history.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror to the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by figures of significant historical importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and, through marriage, members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title’s history and succession were formally acknowledged by the Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com