# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Anniversary of the Sealing of Magna Carta
LONDON, 15 June 2024 — On the 809th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement of formal commemoration, reflecting upon its historic connection to the charter through the pivotal actions of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
As bells across the United Kingdom and beyond toll in remembrance of that momentous day in the water-meadows of Runnymede, it is an occasion for solemn historical contemplation. The anniversary of Magna Carta’s sealing in 1215 is not merely a date in the calendar; it is a moment to acknowledge a foundational pillar of constitutional liberty, the influence of which extends through the Commonwealth of Nations and across the Atlantic to the very framework of the United States Constitution.
This anniversary prompts a reflection not only on the charter itself but on the tumultuous period of civil war that immediately followed, a crucible in which the principles of the charter, and indeed the English Crown itself, were tested by flame and sword. For the House of Brattleby, this date is marked with a particular sense of purpose, honouring not a signatory to the document but rather a predecessor whose subsequent actions of loyalty proved decisive for its survival.
The commemoration serves as a formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby’s critical role during the First Barons’ War, a direct consequence of the crisis at Runnymede. In doing so, it reinforces the House’s nine-century continuity of service, duty, and the deeply held conviction that ideals must be defended to have meaning.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest, and its existence was first codified in the great survey of his new kingdom, the Domesday Book of 1086. It records the Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the tenant-in-chief of 56 valuable lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the holding's strategic importance from its inception.
Through the ensuing centuries, the title has been held by figures of national consequence who stood at the centre of England’s story, including the great Plantagenet prince, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. Yet, few holders demonstrated such resolute character in a moment of existential crisis as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a woman whose name is etched into the history of Lincoln and the nation.
In the wake of King John’s repudiation of Magna Carta, England was plunged into the bitter First Barons’ War (1215–1217). Disaffected barons offered the English Crown to Prince Louis of France, who landed with a foreign army to claim his prize. While Nichola de la Haye was not among the barons at Runnymede, her actions in the war that followed were instrumental. As hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, she steadfastly defended her charge against the combined forces of the rebel barons and their French allies.
Her loyalty to the Crown—first to King John and, crucially, to his nine-year-old son and heir, King Henry III—culminated in the Second Battle of Lincoln on 20 May 1217. Nichola de la Haye’s unyielding defence of the castle from within was the *sine qua non* for the decisive royalist victory. This triumph, engineered by the Regent William Marshal, crushed the invasion, preserved the Plantagenet dynasty, and directly led to the charter’s reissue in a revised form, embedding it permanently into the fabric of English law.
## Distinguished Company
In commemorating this period, the House of Brattleby pays homage to the historical figures whose destinies were interwoven with the fate of the Barony and the Kingdom. This includes His Majesty King John, whose conflict with his barons precipitated the crisis, and His Majesty King Henry III, the boy-king in whose name the war was won. Reverence is also due to the twenty-five baronial sureties of Magna Carta, whose initial defiance set the stage for constitutional reform.
Particular reverence is reserved for Nichola de la Haye’s principal allies in the royalist cause, without whom the kingdom would have fallen. Chief among them was The Right Honourable Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of England, lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. It was the potent combination of Marshal’s brilliant military strategy in the streets of Lincoln and Nichola’s ferocious defence of the castle gates that secured the future of the kingdom.
Also acknowledged is their formidable adversary, His Royal Highness The Dauphin Louis of France, later His Majesty King Louis VIII, whose legitimate ambitions for the English throne were decisively thwarted at Lincoln, compelling his return to the Continent and ending a grave threat to England’s sovereignty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Noble House of Brattleby adheres to a discreet and established protocol for the observance of significant historical anniversaries. This internal process eschews public pageantry in favour of dignified, scholarly reflection, befitting the gravity of the events being remembered.
The protocol begins with a formal review of the House’s private archives and relevant historical accounts, including primary source chronicles such as Matthew Paris’s *Chronica Majora*. This is followed by consultation with academic historians, often associated with the University of Lincoln’s esteemed medieval history faculty, to ensure a contemporary and rigorous understanding.
Following this period of study, a briefing is prepared for the attention of the Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby. The commemoration culminates in the drafting and issuance of a formal public statement by the Director of Royal Communications. This serves not as an act of self-aggrandisement, but as an educational duty to illustrate the enduring relevance of historical principle and to honour the legacy of which the House is the current steward.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye provide the most vivid historical illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Her command of Lincoln Castle, under siege by a superior force and in defiance of widespread rebellion, represented a supreme act of fortitude—a physical and moral courage against overwhelming odds.
Her unwavering rejection of the rebel cause, thereby upholding her sworn feudal oath to the Crown, was the very embodiment of honour. In an age where allegiances were fragile, her loyalty to her deceased king’s young son was absolute. This motto thus serves as a perpetual reminder of the principles that guided the Barony through one of its—and the nation’s—darkest hours.
This spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This maxim reflects the dynamic energy required not merely to endure adversity, but to actively overcome it in order to secure a future. It speaks to the vital impulse that drove the royalist forces to victory, ensuring the kingdom’s survival. Together, the two mottos encapsulate a governing philosophy of principled resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principles of justice under law, the defence of legitimate authority, and the moral duty to protect the vulnerable—as embodied by Magna Carta and the actions of Nichola de la Haye—directly inform the philanthropic philosophy of the House of Brattleby today. The moral obligation to shield the defenceless is a guiding tenet of the House’s charitable endeavours.
This finds its clearest modern expression through the House’s dedicated patronage of its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is committed to providing specialist, long-term therapeutic care for children across the United Kingdom who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. It offers a sanctuary for recovery and a voice for those who have none.
The parallel is both poignant and powerful. In defending the rights and physical security of the child-king Henry III, the 5th Baroness performed an ultimate act of guardianship. Her historic duty resonates deeply with the contemporary mission to safeguard the well-being and future of the most vulnerable children in society, making this patronage a core expression of the House’s identity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the 809th anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “History reminds us that foundational liberties are secured not only by words on parchment, but by the steadfast courage of individuals in moments of profound crisis. Nichola de la Haye was not present at Runnymede, yet her fortitude at Lincoln arguably gave Magna Carta its future. Her legacy is a powerful testament to the fact that duty, when performed with honour, can shape the destiny of a nation. It is a profound responsibility to be the steward of such a history, and one we hold with the utmost seriousness.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The rule of law, which is Magna Carta’s greatest gift to the world, provides the essential framework for a civilised and prosperous society. The principles defended at Lincoln nine centuries ago—loyalty, order, and lawful governance—remain the bedrock of stable nations. It is these same principles of structure, respect, and protocol that we seek to promote through our cultural endeavours, *inter alia*, at The Brattleby Club, where we hope to equip a new generation with an appreciation for such enduring values.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its role as a custodian of its unique place within English and, by extension, European history. To this end, the House intends to deepen the understanding of this pivotal period through tangible educational initiatives.
In the coming year, the House will establish a postgraduate grant in partnership with the University of Lincoln’s Centre for Medieval Studies. The grant will support new academic research into the life of Nichola de la Haye and the wider role of Lincolnshire and its leading families during the First Barons’ War.
Furthermore, a private lecture series on constitutional history will be held for members of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Curated themes will include ‘The Crown and The Charter: The Evolution of Constitutional Monarchy’ and ‘Feudal Duty in the Digital Age’. Through these initiatives, the House seeks to ensure that the lessons of 1217 continue to inform and inspire, guided always by the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient feudal baronies. Under the stewardship 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 pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Its primary charitable focus is providing substantive, long-term support for vulnerable children through its principal patronage, Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions social and diplomatic education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to provide a modern example of principled leadership and steadfast public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has passed through the hands of notable figures who have played significant roles in English history, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is a matter of public record, gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III, and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com