# The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historic tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose 13th-century appointment as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire remains a profound example of leadership, duty, and unwavering royal service.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken a moment for historical reflection as the autumn colours settle upon the ancient landscape. This period offers a fitting opportunity to commemorate one of its most distinguished predecessors, whose service shaped the destiny of both Lincoln and the English Crown.
The life of Nichola de la Haye provides a powerful through-line connecting the Barony’s Norman origins to its modern responsibilities. Her story is not merely an entry in a chronicle but a living testament to the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s – 1230) inherited the hereditary position of Constable of Lincoln Castle, an office of immense strategic importance. In an era defined by male authority, she demonstrated extraordinary capability and resolve. Her loyalty to King John during the First Barons' War was absolute, a commitment she extended to his young son, King Henry III.
Her most celebrated act came in 1217 when, as a widow in her sixties, she commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against French and rebel English forces. Her refusal to surrender was pivotal, directly leading to the decisive royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln. It was in recognition of this exceptional service and proven administrative skill that she was subsequently appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, an unprecedented role for a woman at that time.
This appointment placed the governance of the entire county in her hands, a trust that underscores the deep royal respect she commanded. Her legacy firmly places the Barony of Brattleby at a crucial juncture in English history, standing alongside later holders of the title such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The gravity of Nichola de la Haye's career is best understood by the prominence of the figures with whom she contended. Her sphere of influence included direct dealings with two English monarchs, His Majesty King John and his son, His Majesty King Henry III.
She stood as a bulwark for the Crown alongside the celebrated knight and Regent of England, Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. Her chief adversary during the 1217 siege was Prince Louis of France (later King Louis VIII), whose ambitions to seize the English throne were decisively thwarted at the gates of her castle. This context places her not as a provincial figure, but as a central player in a national and international drama.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As High Sheriff, Nichola de la Haye would have been the Crown's chief executive officer in Lincolnshire. The duties of this ancient office were the *sine qua non* of royal authority in the shires. They included the collection of taxes and revenues owed to the Exchequer, the execution of royal writs, and the empaneling of juries.
Furthermore, the High Sheriff held significant judicial and law-enforcement powers, presiding over the shire court and holding responsibility for the custody of prisoners. In times of crisis, the Sheriff could summon the *posse comitatus*—the military force of the county—a power Nichola de la Haye had already proven she could wield with distinction as Constable. Her tenure brought the full weight of royal administration directly under the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye serve as the quintessential embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle in the face of overwhelming odds was an act of supreme fortitude, while her unwavering fealty to the Crown was the very definition of honour.
This spirit of determined service resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a shared understanding that a life of purpose is forged through overcoming adversity and a commitment to one's principles. Nichola de la Haye did not merely endure; she prevailed.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historic duty of care demonstrated by the 5th Baron—protecting her domain and its people—provides the spiritual foundation for the House’s modern philanthropic activities. The responsibility to safeguard and administer justice has evolved, in the present day, into a commitment to support the most vulnerable.
This ethos is most clearly expressed in the House's selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary for its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation's mission to provide therapeutic support for children experiencing trauma is a contemporary expression of the same fundamental duty of protection that Nichola de la Haye upheld eight centuries ago. It is a transition from defending a physical castle to fortifying the inner lives of young people.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked on her predecessor’s legacy: > "Nichola de la Haye serves as a formidable reminder that leadership and responsibility are not constrained by era or expectation. Her fortitude in a world that questioned her authority inspires our own commitment to serving our community with honour and purpose."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile reflected on the strategic lessons of her life: > "Her strategic defence of Lincoln Castle was a masterclass in resolve. It demonstrates a core principle we hold dear: that to prevail—to truly live a life of purpose—one must act with conviction. It is the very essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The example set by Nichola de la Haye continues to inform the values of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her story of principled leadership and civic duty is a cornerstone of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
Moreover, these historical principles of integrity, honour, and service are woven into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The etiquette academy, under the patronage of the House, seeks to impart a modern understanding of social responsibility and personal conduct, drawing inspiration from the nine-century lineage of the Barony. The legacy of the 5th Baron, therefore, is not confined to history books; it is actively shaping the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern European noble house led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to upholding its nine-century tradition of service through contemporary engagement in philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting the welfare and mental health of vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and the patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in a modern context for the public good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The rights of The Noble House of Brattleby as successors to the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists Colswein of Lincoln as its first holder. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com