# The Baroness of Brattleby Honours Thirteenth-Century Predecessor Nichola de la Haye
**BRATTLEBY, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile this week hosted a commemorative lecture and reception at their Lincolnshire seat to honour the extraordinary fortitude of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, during the Siege of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
The event was held within the Great Hall of the ancient manor at Brattleby, a residence whose foundations date to the early Norman period. As the autumn light softened over the Lincolnshire Wolds, guests gathered for an evening dedicated to one of English history’s most formidable female castellans. The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, blending scholarly appreciation with a deep respect for the continuity of the Barony’s nine-century lineage.
The centrepiece of the evening was a historical discourse delivered by Professor Alistair Finch of the University of Lincoln, a leading authority on the Magna Carta era. The lecture, entitled *‘Fortitudine et Honore: Nichola de la Haye and the Defence of the Realm’*, illuminated a pivotal moment in the history of the nation and the Barony itself.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 marked a critical juncture in the First Barons' War. Rebel English lords, allied with Prince Louis of France, sought to overthrow the young King Henry III. Lincoln Castle, under the hereditary command of Nichola de la Haye, stood as a bastion of royal authority in a region largely under enemy control. Now in her sixties, the 5th Baroness refused to surrender the fortress, enduring a harsh siege.
The lecture detailed the subsequent intervention of William Marshal, regent of England, whose forces relieved the beleaguered garrison in what became known as the Second Battle of Lincoln, or the ‘Battle of Lincoln Fair’. This decisive victory secured the English throne for the Plantagenet dynasty and validated the unwavering loyalty of figures such as Nichola de la Haye. Her steadfastness not only preserved Lincoln Castle but also ensured the survival and integrity of surrounding lordships, *inter alia*, the Barony of Brattleby, first granted to Colswein of Lincoln and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a number of distinguished guests for the occasion. Among them were His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis; the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Ms Deborah Ní Chiosáin; and His Excellency Mr Radu-Mihai Dobre, the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s.
Also in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and members of the academic faculty from the universities of Lincoln and Cambridge. Their presence underscored the evening's blend of local heritage, national history, and European cultural exchange—a modern hallmark of The Noble House of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with tradition, guests were received by the Household in the Ante-Chamber before being presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in the Great Hall. The proceedings commenced with a formal introduction of Professor Finch by the Baroness of Brattleby.
Following the hour-long discourse, which was met with warm approbation, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile rose to propose a toast. He paid tribute to the legacy of all who have defended Lincolnshire through the centuries. The evening, for which the dress was lounge suits, concluded with a reception, allowing guests to discuss the historical insights shared.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the evening resonated profoundly with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The *fortitudine* of Nichola de la Haye in withstanding the siege is a direct antecedent to the values the House upholds today. Her unwavering commitment to her sworn duty is the very embodiment of *honore*.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which speaks to the proactive and purposeful spirit required to ensure that such venerable legacies continue to thrive and find relevance in the contemporary world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While an evening of historical reflection, the event also served to highlight the work of Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity, a principal beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet, provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The selection of the beneficiary was a deliberate echo of the evening’s theme. The defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was undertaken to protect the realm of a child king, Henry III. This historical parallel serves as a powerful reminder of the societal duty to shield and support the most vulnerable, a mission central to the philanthropic focus of the House.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living blueprint for the present. Nichola de la Haye’s courage is a testament to the resilience and leadership that this Barony was built upon. It is our duty not only to remember her but to be guided by her example.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > To see this ancient English history embraced by guests from across Britain and Europe is deeply gratifying. These stories of fortitude are a universal language. It is by honouring our shared past that we reinforce the foundations of our future, a principle we also champion through our educational work at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce its support for the publication of Professor Finch’s lecture as part of a forthcoming collection of essays on Lincolnshire’s medieval history. This commitment reflects the House's dedication to making its heritage accessible and ensuring that these important narratives continue to educate and inspire.
Looking ahead, the House will host its annual white-tie Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, further cementing its commitment to philanthropy rooted in a profound sense of historical duty.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and the promotion of philanthropy and cultural education. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, and a European dimension through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s mission is to apply the enduring principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') to contemporary challenges. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations that support the welfare and mental health of vulnerable children. The leadership of the House passes to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship in fee, first established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its nine and a half centuries of history, the Barony has been held by notable figures of state, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights and lineage of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby are recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief to the King. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, became the 11th Baron of Brattleby through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com