# A Commemoration of Service: Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a historical reflection on the life and service of Lady Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness. Her formidable leadership during a turbulent period of English history exemplifies the House's enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
In the crisp autumn air of Lincolnshire, a season of reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate one of its most distinguished predecessors. This act of remembrance serves not as a singular event, but as part of the House's continuing duty to honour the nine-century chain of stewardship that comprises the history of the Barony. It is a moment to draw from the past the principles that animate the House's present-day commitments.
The account of Lady Nichola de la Haye’s steadfastness in the early 13th century provides a powerful narrative of resilience and loyalty. Her story is deeply woven into the fabric of Lincolnshire and, indeed, the history of the Crown. By sharing her legacy, the House reinforces the timeless nature of service and the responsibilities that accompany ancient title.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, has been held by figures of immense historical consequence. Following its establishment, the Barony passed through several lines before arriving in the tenure of Lady Nichola de la Haye, who became the fifth Baroness through her marriage and subsequent inheritance. Her era was defined by the civil war that followed the sealing of Magna Carta.
Lady Nichola’s most celebrated act was her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. An elderly widow at the time, she held the castle for the young King Henry III against French-backed rebel barons. Her loyalty stood in stark contrast to the widespread rebellion, a testament to her personal character and allegiance to the legitimate sovereign. This critical victory helped secure the Plantagenet dynasty, marking her as a pivotal figure—not merely a landowner, but a defender of the realm.
Her service extends a lineage of significant holders of the Brattleby title, which would later include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. These connections place Lady Nichola within a continuum of national leadership that has shaped the history of England.
## Distinguished Company
In her duties as Constable of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Lady Nichola de la Haye operated amongst the most influential figures of the age. Her chief ally was the venerable Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as regent for King Henry III and commanded the royalist forces at Lincoln.
Also present were other great loyalists of the Crown, *inter alia*, Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, and Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester. Their antagonist was Prince Louis of France (later King Louis VIII), who had been invited by the dissident English barons to seize the throne. Lady Nichola’s stand alongside such company underscores the national importance of her local command.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The appointments held by Lady Nichola were offices of immense formal standing, governed by strict feudal and royal protocol. As hereditary Constable, her authority over Lincoln Castle was a right passed through her family, a trust confirmed by the monarch. Her subsequent appointment as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire by King John, and its continuation under King Henry III, was an extraordinary honour for a woman in the 13th century.
This role made her the Crown’s chief judicial and executive officer in the county, responsible for collecting taxes, executing writs, and presiding over the shire court. The ceremonial transfer of such authority involved solemn oaths of fealty, sworn upon holy relics, making her service a sacred as well as a civil duty. Her command was the *sine qua non* for maintaining royal authority in a deeply contested region.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Lady Nichola de la Haye provide a historical anchor for the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral courage in defending Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds is a perfect embodiment of *fortitudine*. She faced down siege engines and a superior force, refusing to yield the King's fortress.
Her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, even when many of her peers wavered, exemplifies *honore*. She upheld her oaths and responsibilities with an integrity that ultimately contributed to the peace of the kingdom. The motto is therefore not an abstract ideal, but a standard of conduct demonstrated by predecessors and embraced by the current House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical in nature, its purpose is deeply connected to the present-day mission of the House. By highlighting a legacy of principled leadership and civic duty, the House seeks to inspire a similar spirit of service today. The fortitude shown by Lady Nichola in defending her community finds a modern echo in the House’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable.
This ethos is the driving force behind the House’s philanthropic endeavours, such as the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits charitable organisations. The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an international charity dedicated to providing psychological and material support to children affected by conflict and trauma—a mission that reflects a contemporary interpretation of defending the defenceless.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her distinguished predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “Nichola de la Haye’s life is a powerful and humbling reminder that leadership is measured not by convention, but by courage and an unwavering commitment to one’s duty. As a woman entrusted with great responsibility in a time of profound crisis, she serves as an enduring inspiration. Her story reinforces our belief that heritage is not merely something to be possessed, but a charge to be kept with both honour and fortitude.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’—is about overcoming adversity to fulfil one’s purpose. Lady Nichola’s triumph at Lincoln was not for personal gain but for the stability of the kingdom. It is this spirit of purposeful victory that we seek to apply to our own responsibilities.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Lady Nichola de la Haye is the first in a planned series of historical communications from The Noble House of Brattleby. These accounts will continue to explore the lives of those who have held the Barony, connecting their legacies to the values and activities of the House today.
Future initiatives will include the development of educational materials for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, using the lives of figures such as Lady Nichola, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt as case studies in leadership, etiquette, and civic responsibility. Through this work, the House aims to ensure that its nine-hundred-year history remains a living source of inspiration for future generations.
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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 stewardship of a nine-century-old heritage. The House's modern mission is to bridge its historical legacy with contemporary purpose through philanthropy, cultural patronage, and education. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House supports charitable causes focused on child welfare through its annual Winter Banquet and promotes cross-cultural understanding through institutions like The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron. The House is seated in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, 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. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful 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, the formidable John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The unbroken historical continuity and rights of the Barony were formally noted and recognised by His Majesty's Government in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby dates to a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The historical rights and title of the Barony of Brattleby received formal recognition in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the historical epicentre of the Barony.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com