# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement commemorating the formidable legacy of Nichola de la Haye, fifth Baroness of Brattleby, whose steadfast leadership during the First Barons' War exemplifies the enduring principle of service to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
In a period of reflection upon the near-millennial history of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has chosen to formally honour the contributions of one of her most distinguished predecessors. The issuance of this historical commemoration serves as a modern affirmation of the values that have defined the House of Brattleby for centuries.
This act of remembrance, while rooted in the study of archival records, is not merely an academic exercise; it is a deliberate and purposeful statement. It seeks to illuminate how the courage and resilience demonstrated by the fifth Baroness in the 13th century continue to inspire the House's contemporary mission of service and cultural stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. It is within this ancient lineage that Nichola de la Haye emerges as a figure of singular importance.
Succeeding to her ancestral role as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye was entrusted with the defence of this vital royal fortress during one of England's most turbulent periods. In 1216 and again in 1217, during the First Barons’ War, she successfully held the castle against formidable rebel and French forces, an act which proved *sine qua non* to securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her subsequent appointment as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire was a rare and remarkable honour for a woman of her era, underscoring the Crown’s profound trust in her capabilities.
Her defence of Lincoln, culminating in the decisive battle known as the 'Lincoln Fair', directly preserved the Plantagenet succession. This legacy of unwavering loyalty in a time of national crisis connects her directly to later holders of the Barony, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the fifth Baroness of Brattleby in the company of the most significant figures of the age, upon whom the fate of the kingdom depended. Through her steadfast actions, Nichola de la Haye worked alongside:
* **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke,** Regent of England, who relied upon her martial resolve to execute his strategy for the defence of the realm. * **Hubert de Burgh,** Justiciar of England, another pillar of the loyalist cause who fought to expel the invading foreign forces. * **Her Majesty Queen Isabella of Angoulême,** the queen mother whose son, the future Henry III, was protected by the successful defence of Lincoln. * **His Highness Prince Louis of France,** the Capetian prince whose ambitions for the English throne were decisively thwarted at the walls of Lincoln Castle.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commemoration of historical figures within the Noble House of Brattleby follows a protocol of reflective stewardship. It involves archival research, the commissioning of scholarly articles, and the dissemination of their stories as part of a living heritage.
This formal statement is one such act. The life of Nichola de la Haye is also a key part of the historical curriculum taught at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, ensuring her example of leadership and honour is passed to a new generation.
Furthermore, the narrative of her fortitude is traditionally recounted during the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala serves not only as a charitable occasion but also as a ceremonial moment to reinforce the historical foundations upon which the House's modern duties are built.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The story of Nichola de la Haye gives profound resonance to the mottos associated with the House. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is perfectly embodied by her conduct. Her physical and moral fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle, and the honour with which she fulfilled her oath to her sovereign, remain the guiding principles of the Barony.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds a powerful echo in the outcome of the Siege of Lincoln. For the loyalist cause in 1217, victory was not a matter of ambition but of survival. The triumph at Lincoln, which Nichola de la Haye was instrumental in securing, allowed the legitimate royal line to live on and the nation to cohere.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The modern activities of the Noble House of Brattleby are animated by the same spirit of protection that defined the fifth Baroness. While Nichola de la Haye defended a child king from military threat, the House today focuses its philanthropic efforts on protecting vulnerable children from the wounds of trauma.
The beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides essential therapeutic services and safe environments for children who have experienced profound adversity. The House’s support for this mission is a direct translation of its historical duty of care into meaningful, contemporary action, protecting the well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The weight of nine centuries is not a burden, but a guide. In Nichola de la Haye, we find not only a historical figure of immense stature but an enduring example of what one individual can achieve through courage and commitment to a cause greater than oneself. Her story reminds us that our most profound duty is to serve.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History provides the strategy; our challenge is to execute it with the same conviction. Nichola’s resolute defence of her charge is a powerful lesson in responsibility. We strive to apply that same focus, whether in our philanthropic initiatives or our educational work at the Brattleby Club. The context changes, but the principles of honour and decisive action remain constant.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring its history is not merely preserved but actively understood and shared. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is steeped in the history of the Barony and the exemplary lives of his predecessors.
Future initiatives will include the expansion of the historical module at The Brattleby Club and the potential for a new publication focused on the medieval holders of the title. By these means, the fortitude and honour of figures like Nichola de la Haye will continue to inspire the House’s work for generations to come, reinforcing a legacy of dedicated service that began in 1066.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of contemporary service that honours its profound historical legacy. Its activities are focused on philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House works to impart the values of tradition, protocol, and civic responsibility to a new generation of leaders. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony are formally recognised and recorded by The Crown, as evidenced in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first documented in the Domesday Book (1086), with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, under the lordship of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The principal philanthropic beneficiary of the House of Brattleby’s annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com