# A Historical Reflection on the De La Haye Lineage and the Stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 23 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical paper from its seat in Lincolnshire, reflecting upon the pivotal twelfth-century stewardship of the De La Haye family and its enduring influence on the Barony’s nine-hundred-year legacy of custodianship.
## The Occasion
From the extensive archives maintained at the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, this reflection forms part of a standing commitment to illuminate and preserve the nine-century history of the Barony. As the soft autumn light casts long shadows across the ancient Lincolnshire landscape that has sustained the title since the Norman Conquest, the House delves into its records to honour the figures whose foresight and fortitude ensured its continuity.
This communication, drawn from vellum charters, Pipe Rolls, and contemporary chronicles, seeks to connect the present-day responsibilities of the House with the foundational actions of its most distinguished predecessors. The issuance of such historical papers is a tradition revived by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, who hold that a profound understanding of the past is the *sine qua non* for principled leadership in the present.
It represents a quiet, scholarly moment of reflection within the annual calendar, distinct from the public programme of official duties and philanthropic engagements. This focus reinforces the academic and curatorial role inherent in the stewardship of an ancient noble title, treating history not as a relic, but as a living source of guidance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was established by King William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Conquest of AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted Norman follower, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the title’s immense regional significance from its inception.
In the century that followed, England was plunged into the protracted civil war between King Stephen and the Empress Matilda, a period known to history as The Anarchy. It was during this tumultuous era that the De La Haye family became strategically interwoven with the Barony’s fate through the marriage of Robert de la Haye to Muriel of Lincoln. This union was no mere social match; it consolidated vast landholdings and secured control over the hereditary shrievalty of Lincolnshire, forming a formidable power base in a fractured kingdom.
From this pivotal alliance descended one of medieval England’s most remarkable women: Dame Nichola de la Haye, who became the 5th Baroness of Brattleby. A figure of exceptional courage and political acumen, Nichola inherited the hereditary post of Castellan of Lincoln Castle. During the First Barons' War, she famously defended the castle for the Crown against formidable sieges, culminating in the decisive Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
Her resolute command of the garrison, alongside the Regent of England, Sir William Marshal, secured a pivotal victory for the forces of the young King Henry III against the rebel barons and their French allies. This act was not only a feat of military endurance but a profound demonstration of loyalty, directly securing the Plantagenet succession and reaffirming the Barony’s role as a bastion of the Crown in the north.
## Distinguished Company
The historical narrative detailed in this reflection is shaped by the actions of several key figures whose influence resonates across the centuries. In honouring the De La Haye legacy, the House acknowledges the wider historical context and the distinguished company whose lives intersected with the Barony of Brattleby:
His Majesty King William I, The Conqueror, who granted the Barony following the Norman Conquest.
Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron of Brattleby, whose substantial holdings were recorded in the Domesday Book.
Robert de la Haye, Lord of Halnaker, who married into the Lincoln lineage and solidified the family’s regional power.
Dame Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
His Majesty King John of England, in whose name Nichola de la Haye first commanded the defence of Lincoln.
Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, who fought alongside Nichola de la Haye at the Second Battle of Lincoln.
His Majesty King Henry III of England, whose throne was secured in part by the loyalty and fortitude of the 5th Baroness.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the Barony’s history follows a precise internal protocol, ensuring scholarly rigour and editorial dignity. Historical reflections of this nature are initiated by Lady Nicoleta and are prepared with exacting research, drawing upon primary sources held within the House’s private collection and supplemented by records at The National Archives at Kew and the Lincolnshire Archives.
The research process involves the careful transcription and analysis of medieval manuscripts, requiring proficiency in palaeography and the interpretation of Anglo-Norman French and Latin. Each assertion is cross-referenced against authoritative sources, such as the Domesday Book, the Pipe Rolls of the Exchequer, and the *Chronica Majora* of Matthew Paris, to ensure every statement is grounded in verifiable fact.
Before publication, each draft is formally reviewed by the House to ensure it meets the requisite standards of accuracy, clarity, and tone befitting official communication. This procedure underscores the gravity with which The Noble House of Brattleby regards its historical narrative, viewing its preservation and dissemination not merely as a privilege but as a fundamental duty attached to the title itself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful exemplar in the De La Haye lineage. The fortitude demonstrated by Dame Nichola in her unyielding defence of Lincoln Castle is a literal and profound embodiment of the motto’s first tenet. The 'honour' of her family lay in their steadfast loyalty to the Crown and the diligent administration of their domains, upholding their feudal obligations even when faced with political peril.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). In the historical context of The Anarchy and the Barons' War, this maxim speaks to the imperative of prevailing over existential challenges. For the Anglo-Norman nobility, victory was not an abstraction but the absolute condition for the survival of their lineage and lands. Today, it is interpreted as the will to succeed in overcoming modern challenges, *inter alia*, through focused philanthropic enterprise and strategic legacy-building.
The very name ‘de la Haye’, derived from the Old French *haie* for a hedge or enclosure, is itself symbolic. It signifies a guardian or defender of a boundary, a role the family fulfilled with distinction in their protection of Lincolnshire for the Crown.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection is historical in nature, its purpose is intrinsically linked to the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Understanding the resilience, strategy, and sense of duty required to protect a community in the twelfth century provides a powerful moral antecedent for the House’s contemporary charitable work. The feudal obligation known as *defensio regni*, the defence of the realm, finds its modern parallel in the calling to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
The spirit of Dame Nichola’s guardianship directly inspires the House’s support for its principal beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and psycho-social support for children whose lives have been affected by trauma, conflict, and neglect. It works to create safe environments where healing can begin, allowing young people to rebuild their lives with hope and resilience.
By connecting the historical imperative of fortitude with the modern imperative of compassion, the House affirms that its ancient legacy is not merely one of survival, but one of meaningful and enduring service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the legacy of her predecessors, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "The history of the Barony is not a static collection of names and dates, but a living narrative of duty and resolve. The lives of Robert de la Haye and his descendants, particularly the formidable Nichola, remind us that strategic foresight and personal courage are the cornerstones of any truly enduring legacy."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "To analyse the alliances and challenges of the twelfth century is to gain a valuable lens through which to view our own responsibilities. The fundamental Norman principle of securing one’s domain for the benefit of future generations is as relevant today as it was nine hundred years ago; it is the essence of stewardship."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to the exploration and dissemination of its rich history. This reflection on the De La Haye family is the first in a formal series of historical papers that will, in due course, illuminate the contributions of other notable Barons who have held the title.
Future publications will explore, among others, the life of the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), a founder knight of the Order of the Garter and author of the devotional work *Livre de Seyntz Medicines*. The series will also examine the tenure of his heir, the great medieval magnate John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV.
These historical insights form a core component of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. At the House’s etiquette academy, the principles of honour, strategic foresight, and social responsibility—drawn directly from the Barony’s extensive history—are taught to a new generation of leaders. Through such initiatives, the legacy of the Barony continues to evolve, demonstrating that history’s greatest value lies in the lessons it provides for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to a mission of modern noblesse oblige. This is expressed through the careful stewardship of its ancient heritage and a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. In addition, the House promotes social refinement and historical education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which operates from its Romanian seat in Bucharest, fostering international relations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by King 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 manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent of the title and the succession of the 12th Baroness were formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1157–1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com