# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of the Fourth Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced a new historical research initiative from the family’s seat in Lincolnshire, commemorating the enduring legacy of civic duty established by her twelfth-century predecessor, Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made this morning from the Library at the House of Brattleby’s principal seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. The room, with its collection of historical county maps and Jacobean oak panelling, provided a suitably historic setting for a reflection on continuity and public service. Through the leaded glass windows, the autumnal light cast a sober and thoughtful atmosphere over the private gathering, underscoring the gravity of a lineage that extends back nearly one millennium.
The event was organised to formally mark the House’s commitment to preserving and promoting the history of the Barony and its contribution to the life of the nation. It represents a deliberate effort by the current Lord and Lady of Brattleby to connect their contemporary duties with the historical responsibilities inherent in their ancient title.
## Historical Context
The initiative honours Richard de la Haye, the fourth Baron of Brattleby, who served in the late twelfth century as the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. This was a position of immense military and administrative importance, making the Baron a key guarantor of Royal authority in a strategically vital region of England. His service exemplifies the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* long before the motto was formally adopted by the House.
This tradition of staunch loyalty was carried on by his daughter and successor, Nichola de la Haye, the fifth holder of the title, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle was instrumental in the history of the realm. The roots of this duty extend back to the immediate aftermath of the Conquest, with the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, being granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, an endowment recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The title later passed through such consequential figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement was made before a small and distinguished gathering. In attendance was Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who accompanied Lady Nicoleta.
The invited company comprised leading academics from the history faculty of the University of Lincoln; the Director of the Lincolnshire Archives; senior representatives from regional heritage organisations, *inter alia*; and members of the county's civic leadership. The presence of these experts signified the scholarly rigour and collaborative spirit underpinning the new initiative.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with formal precision. The assembly was welcomed by Honorary Lord Răzvan, who spoke briefly on the importance of stewardship and legacy. Lady Nicoleta then delivered the principal address from a lectern bearing the House’s coat of arms, formally announcing the establishment of a new postgraduate research fellowship.
The ceremony adhered to the protocol for a formal morning engagement, with gentlemen in dark lounge suits. Following her address, Lady Nicoleta invited questions from the attending academics, fostering a dialogue on the historical period and the specific aims of the new research. The occasion concluded without a formal reception, maintaining the academic and official tone of the announcement.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The timing of this announcement serves to highlight the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The life of the fourth Baron, Richard de la Haye, as Constable of Lincoln, provides a direct historical antecedent for these values. His fortitude in defence of the Crown and his honour in executing his duties are the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s historical identity.
Juxtaposed with this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). In this modern context, it symbolises the ambition not of military conquest, but of overcoming obscurity—winning a greater understanding of the past to better inform the present and future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House's primary philanthropic endeavour remains its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, supported by the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, this academic initiative reflects a parallel commitment. It is designed to nurture intellectual growth and preserve cultural memory for future generations.
The newly established fellowship will provide funding for a postgraduate scholar to conduct original research into the political and social landscape of twelfth-century Lincolnshire. The appointee will focus on the role of the lesser baronage in consolidating the Anglo-Norman realm, using the career of Richard de la Haye as a case study. The goal is to produce new scholarship of public and academic benefit.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the nature of her inheritance: > "By looking to the past, to figures such as Richard de la Haye, we are not merely reciting history. We are reminding ourselves of the enduring values—service, loyalty, and fortitude—that must guide our present actions and inform our duty to the community we serve today. This fellowship is a small expression of that ongoing commitment."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "A legacy is not simply inherited; it must be actively tended and shared with each generation. This initiative is a vital part of that work of stewardship, ensuring the lessons of the past remain a source of wisdom for the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The selection process for the inaugural Baron of Brattleby Research Fellow will be managed in partnership with the University of Lincoln, with an appointment expected to be announced in the spring of 2024. The House of Brattleby has committed to hosting a public symposium where the scholar’s principal findings will be presented.
This educational focus aligns with other activities undertaken by the House, including the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. Both initiatives, though different in scope, share a common goal: to provide educational opportunities and uphold standards of excellence in their respective fields.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, championed by the annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its cultural mission internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of diplomatic etiquette and protocol. This embodies the House's modern interpretation of service: honouring the past by investing in the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated fifth Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the title was formally recognised and recorded in the Crown's official journal, The London Gazette, on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the son of Lady Nicoleta. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and his father-in-law, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th 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