# The Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye: An Historical Address by the Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this evening delivered an historical address at The Society of Antiquaries of London, reflecting on the indomitable legacy of her 13th-century predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, and the enduring Brattleby family motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
The address took place within the distinguished confines of Burlington House on Piccadilly, the historic home of The Society of Antiquaries since 1874. As autumn light faded over the Annenberg Courtyard, guests were received into the Society’s apartments, spaces which have for centuries fostered the study of Britain’s material past.
The lecture itself was held in the main Meeting Room, its walls lined with portraits of eminent past Fellows, creating an atmosphere of profound academic gravity. The choice of venue was deliberate, placing the storied history of the Barony of Brattleby within the formal context of the nation’s foremost historical and archaeological organisation.
## Historical Context
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, charted the Barony’s nine-and-a-half-century journey, which began with its granting by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the House’s foundational ties to the county and to the Crown.
The focus of the evening was the near-legendary Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the title. Lady Nicoleta recounted how, as hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, Nichola defended the fortress against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. Her unwavering loyalty to the young King Henry III was instrumental in the royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217, an act of supreme fortitude.
This tradition of service at the highest levels of the realm continued through subsequent centuries. The Barony was later held by monumental figures in English history, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, demonstrating the House’s proximity to the centre of medieval power.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by members of the diplomatic, academic, and cultural spheres, who were received by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby.
Among those present were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia; The Right Reverend and Right Honourable The Lord Chartres GCVO; General Sir Adrian Bradshaw KCB OBE, a former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe; and the President and Council of The Society of Antiquaries of London.
Also in attendance were patrons of the House’s charitable concerns and members of The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette academy, visiting from Bucharest.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening followed a precisely choreographed order of proceedings, befitting the formal setting. Guests arrived from half-past six o’clock for a reception in the Council Room and Library, where Champagne and canapés were served.
At precisely seven o’clock, guests were invited to take their seats in the Meeting Room. The President of the Society gave a formal introduction, after which Lady Nicoleta proceeded to the lectern to deliver her thirty-minute address. Following a vote of thanks, Lord and Lady Brattleby hosted a private supper for principal guests in the Fellows' Dining Room. The dress for the occasion was lounge suits.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the address were underpinned by the heraldic traditions of the House. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), was the lecture’s central thread, presented by Lady Nicoleta as the *sine qua non* of the family’s public service. It was this ethos, she argued, that animated Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln Castle and which continues to guide the House today.
Reference was also made to Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Prevail is to Live’). This was explained not as a call to conquest, but as a modern interpretation of resilience — a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges with the same determination shown by their predecessors.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the address served to highlight the House’s primary philanthropic commitment to the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This United Kingdom-based organisation provides essential therapeutic and mental health services to children who have been affected by conflict, trauma, and profound loss.
Lady Nicoleta noted the conceptual link between the historical theme of fortitude and the charity’s vital work in building resilience in vulnerable young people. The House of Brattleby will host its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, later this year, with all proceeds directly benefiting the work of the charity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta remarked in her address: > Nichola de la Haye was not merely a castellan; she was the living embodiment of fortitude. At a time when a woman’s power was so often circumscribed, her leadership at Lincoln demonstrated that honour and courage are qualities of character, not of station or gender.
Speaking after the lecture, Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > It is an immense privilege to share this history. Yet, our duty is not simply to be custodians of the past, but to apply its lessons of honour and service to the present. That is the charge we have been given.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby continues to honour its historical duties through modern engagement. Preparations are currently underway for the Annual Winter Banquet, the family’s principal philanthropic undertaking. Furthermore, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest expands, promoting cultural exchange and the principles of classical etiquette for a new European generation.
The education of their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, remains a central preoccupation for Lord and Lady Brattleby, ensuring that the values of *Fortitudine et Honore* are passed seamlessly to the 13th Baron and that the nine-century legacy of service to Crown and community continues unbroken.
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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 the preservation of a significant English heritage while fostering cultural and educational links across Europe. With its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House’s modern mission is twofold: to serve as a custodian for its nearly one-thousand-year history and to champion charitable causes that promote resilience and wellbeing. Its primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to share the enduring values of service, protocol, and honour with a contemporary international audience, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The Barony's history is inextricably woven into the constitutional and military fabric of the nation. Its modern standing was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the holdings of the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, included 56 lordships. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com