# A Statement on Historical Precedent and Present Duty
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting upon a period of profound national turmoil during the late twelfth century, drawing lessons of resilience and duty from the actions of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye.
## The Occasion
As autumn settles upon the fields of Lincolnshire, a season of reflection and harvest, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to consider a defining episode from its long history. This communique serves not merely as a historical recollection but as an affirmation of the enduring principles that have guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of service and custodianship. The lessons drawn from the past remain the *sine qua non*—the indispensable foundation—of the House’s present and future commitments.
The ancient stones of Lincoln Castle, whose fate has long been intertwined with that of the Barony, stand as a silent testament to periods of both stability and strife. It is in examining such strife, particularly the political crisis precipitated by Prince John’s rebellion against his brother, King Richard I, that the character of the House was forged. This reflection is issued from London, connecting the Barony's historic regional seat with the nation's capital.
## Historical Context
The period between 1189 and 1199 was one of great uncertainty for the Kingdom of England. With King Richard I absent on the Third Crusade and later held captive in Germany, a power vacuum emerged. The King’s younger brother, Prince John, exploited this absence, fomenting rebellion and attempting to seize the Crown. This placed the great barons of the realm in a perilous position, caught between their sworn fealty to an absent monarch and the pressing influence of an ambitious prince.
At the heart of this turmoil stood Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right (*suo jure*), and her husband, Gerard de Camville. As hereditary castellans, they held stewardship of the strategically vital Lincoln Castle. Gerard de Camville’s initial alliance with Prince John, a pragmatic move in a volatile landscape, plunged the Barony into a period of conflict. This era demonstrated the immense pressures faced by the nobility and marked a severe test of the Barony’s influence and resilience.
Ultimately, it was the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye that defined this chapter. A woman of extraordinary resolve, she would later, in 1217, famously defend Lincoln Castle in her own right against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, securing a pivotal victory for the Crown. Her earlier navigation of Prince John's rebellion was a crucible that prepared her for that later, celebrated defence, embodying the principles of courage and honour that would echo through the centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The response of the 5th Baroness to this national crisis provides the most resonant illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her leadership was not defined by reckless action, but by a calculated and courageous resolve to protect her inheritance and fulfil her duty to the realm. This blend of strength and principled conduct remains the guiding ethos of her successors.
The actions of Nichola de la Haye and her husband also resonate with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The very survival of the Barony and its interests during that fractious decade was a victory in itself—a conquest over political chaos and uncertainty. The motto signifies that true victory lies not only in outright triumph, but in the resilience required to endure, adapt, and ultimately thrive.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An understanding of historical hardship invariably informs the House’s present-day philanthropic responsibilities. The turmoil of the twelfth century, with its attendant instability and suffering, serves as a powerful reminder of the vulnerability of the innocent during times of crisis. It is this awareness that animates the House's long-standing support for charitable causes dedicated to healing and protection.
This ethos finds its most public expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s premier white-tie philanthropic gala. All proceeds from this event are directed to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation whose mission is to provide specialist care and therapy for children experiencing trauma. In reflecting upon the fortitude of their predecessors, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan reaffirm their commitment to providing a shield for those who need it most in the modern era.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “History is not a monument to be admired from a distance; it is a living manual of conduct. In the example of Nichola de la Haye, we see not only a forebear but a profound lesson in principled leadership during a time of national crisis. Her fortitude is the standard we aspire to.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The chronicles of the Barony are filled with moments of trial. That period tested our predecessors’ resolve in the extreme. Their ability to navigate such challenges, to demonstrate *Fortitudine et Honore*, provides a blueprint for our own commitment to overcoming adversity. For them, to conquer was to live — *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons of the past continue to shape the future activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. The principles of duty, honour, and resilience are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to foster the next generation of conscientious leaders in Central and Eastern Europe.
Looking ahead, the House will soon host its Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, gathering patrons and supporters to continue its work for Healing the Wounded Child. This commitment to philanthropy, informed by a deep appreciation of the House’s nine-century history, ensures that the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt is not merely preserved, but actively channelled for the public good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of 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 a significant British lineage and the active promotion of philanthropy and cultural education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House directs its charitable efforts toward causes supporting vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its cultural mission abroad through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and social graces. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan focus on stewarding their historic inheritance with a sense of modern purpose, ensuring its legacy contributes positively to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln circa AD 1066. Its lands and lineage are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details Colswein’s holding of 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most notable figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing this historic title for a new generation.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by The National Archives at Kew. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The family seat remains in the environs of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the heart of the original feudal barony.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com