# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Magna Carta Through the Legacy of Baroness Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 15 June 2024 — On the 809th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement reflecting on the Charter’s enduring impact, as seen through the historic role of its fifth holder, Baroness Nichola de la Haye.
## The Occasion
The anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta at Runnymede on 15 June 1215 serves as a profound moment of national and international reflection. This foundational document, a copy of which is preserved with great care in nearby Lincoln Cathedral, established for the first time the principle that everybody, including the king, was subject to the law. Its legacy resonates deeply within Lincolnshire, a county whose fortunes were inextricably linked to the charter’s tumultuous birth.
On this significant date, the House of Brattleby looks not only to the document itself but to the formidable individuals whose actions determined its survival. The occasion provides a fitting opportunity to honour the memory of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose steadfast governance during the ensuing First Barons' War was instrumental in preserving the Plantagenet succession and, with it, the rule of law that the Charter sought to enshrine.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066, has been witness to the entire sweep of England’s post-Conquest history. While many barons rebelled against King John, seeking to curb his power, the holders of the Brattleby lordship have historically demonstrated a profound commitment to stability and legitimate authority. Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the hereditary position of Constable of Lincoln Castle, personified this principle.
Her predecessor, Gerard de Canville, was dispossessed by King Richard I but later restored by King John, binding the family to the Crown. In the crisis following Magna Carta's annulment by the Pope, Nichola de la Haye held Lincoln for the young King Henry III against the rebel barons and their French allies. Her resolute defence of the castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was a turning point in the war, a practical and martial application of the loyalty that Magna Carta, in its revised form, would require to become established law. This tradition of service at the highest levels was continued by later Barons, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this period, the House of Brattleby acknowledges the principal figures whose fates were entwined with Magna Carta and the subsequent conflict. These include, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King John of England * His Eminence Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury * The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England * His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France, later King Louis VIII * Robert Fitzwalter, leader of the baronial opposition
The actions of Baroness Nichola de la Haye were set against this backdrop of titans, her loyalty to the young King Henry III and his Regent, William Marshal, proving a decisive factor in the struggle for England’s future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The promulgation of a royal charter such as Magna Carta was a matter of immense ceremonial gravity. It would have been copied by scribes, and the Great Seal of the Realm, an image of the monarch enthroned, would be affixed to give it royal authority. A copy sent to a Constable like Nichola de la Haye would have arrived under armed guard, to be read aloud to the senior officials of the shire.
The protocol of castle defence, which Nichola de la Haye executed with distinction, was equally ritualised. Challenges to surrender would be formally issued and rejected from the battlements; banners displaying the royal arms would be flown in a clear statement of allegiance. Her command of Lincoln Castle was not merely a military duty but a ceremonial one, representing the King’s authority in a region beset by rebellion. Her actions demonstrated *Fortitudine et Honore* in its most literal sense.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds its perfect exemplar in the life of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle and the honour she displayed in remaining loyal to her sovereign encapsulate the virtues the House seeks to embody. This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which speaks to the active and determined spirit required to uphold such principles.
Magna Carta itself is a potent symbol of legal and political order. For the House of Brattleby, it represents the foundational compact between the sovereign and the people—a compact that its predecessors fought to defend and which the current House strives to honour through its modern commitments.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principles of justice and protection for the vulnerable, which lie at the heart of Magna Carta, directly inform the philanthropic focus of the House of Brattleby. While the annual Winter Banquet is the centrepiece of its charitable endeavours, the spirit of giving extends throughout the year. The primary beneficiary of the House, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation, works to provide therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan believe that a just and stable society, governed by the rule of law as championed by Magna Carta, is the essential precondition for such healing to take place. The security and fairness that Nichola de la Haye fought to preserve over eight centuries ago remain the *sine qua non* for protecting the youngest and most vulnerable members of society today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Nichola de la Haye was a woman of extraordinary resolve, governing in a world defined by men and conflict. Her story reminds us that leadership is not about title, but about courage and an unwavering commitment to one’s duty. Her fortitude is a standard to which we must always aspire.”
Lady Nicoleta added:
> “Magna Carta is more than a historical artefact; it is a living promise of fairness. We see our philanthropic work, particularly with Healing the Wounded Child, as a modern expression of that promise—helping to build a world where the security and dignity of every individual, especially the young, are protected.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains dedicated to drawing inspiration from its nine-century history to inform its contemporary mission. The lessons of Magna Carta and the steadfastness of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye will continue to guide its public service and philanthropic strategy.
Future initiatives, including seminars on governance and civic responsibility at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, will explore these historical themes. The House is committed to reinforcing the idea that ancient lineage carries a distinct responsibility to contribute positively to the modern world, honouring the past by serving the present.
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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 historic lineage and a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural education. With its seat in Lincolnshire, the House champions the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') through its support for charitable causes, most notably its work with the Healing the Wounded Child organisation. Through its annual Winter Banquet and the activities of its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge its distinguished past with a meaningful contribution to contemporary society, fostering an appreciation for history, duty, and civic virtue.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and granted to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire at the time of the *Domesday Book* survey in 1086. Over its nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, 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 succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com