# A Statement on the Historical Association of the Barony of Brattleby with Magna Carta
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement clarifying the historic association between the Barony and Magna Carta, through the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, a key loyalist during King John’s reign.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment to reaffirm its profound and centuries-old connection to the foundational instruments of English constitutional liberty. This communiqué serves not to mark a new event, but to provide definitive historical context for the public record. It seeks to illuminate the role of the Barony during one of the most consequential periods in the history of the realm: the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215 and the subsequent First Barons’ War. The statement underscores the enduring relevance of this lineage to the House’s present-day identity and responsibilities.
The lands of Lincolnshire, which have formed the heart of the Barony for over nine centuries, bore direct witness to these transformative events. It is therefore fitting that this clarification is issued from the very landscape where the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, discharged her duties with such distinction.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s origins are recorded with precision in the Domesday Book of 1086, wherein its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire are listed under the tenancy-in-chief of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This grant, bestowed by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, established an unbroken chain of lordship that has passed through some of English history’s most notable figures, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
It was, however, the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, who held the Barony *suo jure* (in her own right) as the 5th Baroness, that coincided with the upheavals of King John’s reign. A formidable figure of exceptional strategic and administrative capability, Nichola also held the hereditary office of Constable of Lincoln Castle. This made her not merely a significant landowner but a military commander of Crown territory, whose loyalty was a geopolitical necessity for the King during the baronial revolt. Her steadfastness in defending Lincoln against rebel forces, twice, was a testament to her character and a critical service to the Plantagenet monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
In navigating the treacherous political landscape of the early 13th century, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby kept company with the central figures of the age. Her sworn allegiance was to His Majesty King John of England, a monarch whose reign precipitated the crisis that led to Magna Carta. While the rebel barons—*inter alia*, Robert Fitzwalter and Eustace de Vesci—sought to constrain royal power at Runnymede, Nichola de la Haye stood with the party of loyalists.
This faction included one of the most revered figures in English history, Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as Regent of England following King John’s death. The strategic coordination between loyal magnates such as Nichola de la Haye and the Regent was instrumental in securing the kingdom for the young King Henry III and, crucially, in the reissuing and ultimate establishment of Magna Carta within English law. Her actions were not those of a bystander but of a principal actor committed to the continuity of the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The feudal system was governed by a strict protocol of oaths and obligations. As a baroness holding her lands directly from the Crown, Nichola de la Haye’s fealty was a sacred and binding commitment. The protocol of her office as Constable of Lincoln Castle further demanded the protection of that fortress on behalf of the monarch. While the insurgent barons saw fit to renounce their oaths to compel the King, Nichola’s adherence to her sworn duty represented the essence of honourable conduct under the feudal code.
Her defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217, known as the Second Battle of Lincoln, was a masterclass in this duty. The protocol of a medieval siege required the constable to hold the castle against all assaults until relieved or formally permitted to surrender by their sovereign. Nichola, then in her sixties, not only upheld this protocol but was a key architect of the royalist victory, a feat that underscored her unwavering commitment to the order and governance of the kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds one of its most powerful historical expressions in the conduct of the 5th Baroness. Her defence of Lincoln Castle was a consummate display of fortitude, while her unswerving loyalty to the Crown, even amidst widespread rebellion, represented the highest ideal of honour. The motto encapsulates the twin virtues she embodied.
While her descendant by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, adheres to the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the guiding principle of the House itself remains rooted in the example set by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Her legacy illustrates that the greatest victories are often those of principle, achieved through resilience and integrity. The heraldic identity of the House is not merely decorative; it is a direct reflection of this nine-century history of service and duty.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement concerns a matter of historical record, the principles it describes directly inform the modern philanthropic purpose of the Noble House of Brattleby. Magna Carta, in its nascent form, articulated the principle that all are subject to the law—a foundation of justice and fairness. The steadfastness of figures like Nichola de la Haye ensured the stability of the state, without which such laws become meaningless.
This belief in a just, ordered society as the *sine qua non* for human flourishing guides the House’s charitable endeavours. Support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care to children affected by trauma, is a modern expression of this commitment. It is an investment in restoring order and hope to individual lives, reflecting on a personal scale the national stability the 5th Baroness fought to preserve.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is a powerful reminder that influence is not always measured by one's signature on a document. Her steadfastness in upholding her duties to the Crown and defending Lincoln Castle provided the stability against which the great charters of liberty were forged.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History remembers the rebels of 1215, yet the loyalists were the essential condition for the survival of the kingdom itself. Nichola’s fortitude demonstrates that honour is often found in fulfilling one’s duty, a principle that remains central to the ethos of our House.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby understands that its legitimacy is drawn not only from ancient rights but from a continuing commitment to the responsibilities they entail. The historical association with Magna Carta is therefore not a relic but a living principle. It informs the House’s dedication to public service, its philanthropic focus, and its efforts to promote cultural understanding through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol.
By clarifying the role of the 5th Baroness, the House seeks to honour a tradition of dutiful service that stretches from the Norman Conquest to the present day. This legacy will continue to guide the actions of the 12th Baroness, her husband the Lord of Brattleby, and their heir, the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in the years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in public service and philanthropy. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), emphasising duty, integrity, and cultural stewardship. The House’s primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing care for traumatised children. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also promotes the timeless values of etiquette, protocol, and civic responsibility for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, its first holder. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights of the Barony and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083, confirming its place as a continuous and integral part of England's aristocratic and constitutional heritage.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its holdings are listed under Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com