# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Research Initiative Honouring Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a new historical research initiative dedicated to the life and legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, celebrating her pivotal role in defending Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the House's offices in London, timed to coincide with the beginning of the academic year and to foster scholarly engagement. This initiative seeks to illuminate a period of profound national importance through the lens of one of medieval England’s most formidable female leaders. The project represents a significant commitment to historical scholarship and the preservation of the heritage of Lincolnshire.
By commissioning new research into Nichola de la Haye’s administrative and military accomplishments, The Noble House of Brattleby aims to provide a more detailed and accessible understanding of her contributions. The findings will be shared through future publications and educational programmes, ensuring this chapter of English history is known to a far wider audience.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been witness to nearly a millennium of England’s history. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, establishing a lineage of service and responsibility that has endured through centuries of change.
Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony and the hereditary title of Castellan of Lincoln Castle in 1196, stands as a figure of remarkable fortitude. Her celebrated defence of the castle against French and rebel forces in 1217 was a turning point. Her story provides a powerful precedent for Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who continues a tradition of female leadership within a lineage that also includes such personages as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
## Distinguished Company
This scholarly endeavour is undertaken in close partnership with the University of Lincoln’s Centre for Medieval Studies. The formal announcement was attended by key representatives who will guide the academic rigour of the project.
Present for the signing of the formal partnership agreement were Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby; Professor Alistair Finch, Head of the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Lincoln; and Dr Eleanor Godfrey, a leading historian and specialist in twelfth-century English governance, who will serve as the project’s senior academic advisor. Their collective expertise ensures the research will meet the highest scholarly standards.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The establishment of the research initiative was formalised in a private ceremony, adhering to a protocol that blended ancient tradition with modern academic partnership. Honorary Lord Răzvan and Professor Finch signed a Memorandum of Understanding, a document drafted to reflect the joint commitment to historical discovery. The signing took place over an antique English oak table, symbolising the heritage at the heart of the project.
Each signatory used a fountain pen charged with archival-quality ink, a nod to the scribal traditions that have preserved the Barony's records for centuries. Following the signing, copies of the memorandum were sealed with the House of Brattleby’s signet, a final act confirming the solemnity of the undertaking. The proceedings were conducted privately, underscoring the serious, non-performative nature of the commitment.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The timing and purpose of this announcement are deeply connected to the House’s guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is directly embodied by the actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral courage in 1217 is a perfect historical expression of fortitude, while her steadfast loyalty to the Crown exemplifies honour.
This project is also informed by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the motto speaks to the challenge of overcoming the obscurities of the past and bringing vital stories of leadership and resilience back to life for a contemporary audience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While distinct from the House's primary philanthropic focus on the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits Healing the Wounded Child, this initiative constitutes a significant act of cultural philanthropy. The investment in primary research and its subsequent public dissemination serves an important educational purpose: safeguarding and promoting local and national heritage.
This commitment to education is a core tenet of the House’s modern mission, extending from the conservation of its Lincolnshire seat to the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By making this history accessible, The Noble House of Brattleby fulfils its duty as a custodian of the past and an enabler of future learning.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on her personal connection to the historical narrative.
— "As the twelfth baroness, and one of only two women to hold the title in her own right, I feel a profound connection to Nichola de la Haye’s story. Her fortitude is not merely a historical footnote; it is a living example of leadership and duty that remains a powerful source of inspiration today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House’s responsibilities as stewards of this remarkable history.
— "It is our duty not merely to preserve this history in archives, but to illuminate it with rigorous scholarship. By partnering with the University of Lincoln, we ensure that Nichola de la Haye’s legacy is studied and celebrated with the academic precision it so richly deserves. This is a story for Lincolnshire, and for England."
## A Continuing Legacy
This announcement marks the beginning of a multi-year programme of research and engagement. The first phase of the project will involve deep archival work, with initial findings expected to be presented at a historical symposium planned to be held in Lincoln within 18 months. These efforts will culminate in the publication of a definitive monograph and the development of new educational resources for schools and visitors to the region.
Through this work, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its long-standing commitment to the past, present, and future of its domains. The initiative will form a key part of the heritage that will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the story of the Barony continues to be told *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 dedicated to the stewardship of nearly a millennium of English heritage. The House’s modern mission is centred on heritage conservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, dedicated to supporting young victims of trauma. The House also champions cultural exchange and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, founded by Lady Nicoleta in Bucharest. These activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Norman origin, first granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The Barony and its 56 associated lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After a period in abeyance, the Barony was formally revived in 2022, with its current status recognised by His Majesty's Government in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors**
* The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formerly recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). * Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). * The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com