# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Anniversary of the de la Haye Succession
LONDON, 1 December 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historical anniversary of the de la Haye family’s entry into its lineage, a late 12th-century succession that significantly fortified the Barony of Brattleby’s role in the national life of England.
## The Occasion
In the quiet repose of their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the family observes a day of historical reflection. This is not an occasion for public ceremony but for private commemoration, a moment to consult the ancient charters and chronicles that document a pivotal chapter in the Barony's nine-and-a-half-century history.
The formal observance aligns with the season, a time for introspection and remembrance. It underscores the House’s solemn duty to understand and articulate its own past, ensuring the continuity of purpose that has defined the Barony since its establishment in the 11th century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over a century later, the Barony’s trajectory was decisively shaped by the marriage that brought the House of de la Haye into the line of succession.
This union introduced a family of noted military and administrative acumen. Its most formidable representative was Nichola de la Haye, who, as the 5th Baron and hereditary Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Her unwavering loyalty to the Crown in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III, a service of national importance that cemented the Brattleby lineage into the fabric of English constitutional history, a legacy later continued by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
Today’s commemoration principally honours the memory of those historical figures whose actions define the legacy being marked. Foremost among them are:
- **Robert and Muriel de la Haye**, whose late 12th-century union initiated this consequential chapter for the Barony of Brattleby.
- **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baron of Brattleby. A truly remarkable figure, she served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right and twice defended Lincoln Castle at critical moments for the kingdom. Her leadership exemplifies the family's enduring principles.
The remembrance of their contributions serves as a formal acknowledgement of the debt owed to predecessors whose foresight and courage preserved and enhanced the dignity of the Barony.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for such an anniversary is one of scholarly rigour and respectful observance, rather than public-facing ritual. The day is structured around the study of key documents from the House archives, including the specific marriage charters and property deeds that formalised the de la Haye succession.
This period of archival consultation is followed by a family discussion, often guided by the House's retained historian, to analyse the strategic and cultural implications of these past events. The observance concludes with a private affirmation of the duties and responsibilities that accompany the Barony, a tradition upheld by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The spirit of this historical period is perfectly encapsulated in the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The actions of Nichola de la Haye—holding a strategic fortress against overwhelming odds out of a sense of duty to her sovereign—are the very embodiment of this creed.
This historical principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This represents a modern, dynamic interpretation of the same spirit: an imperative to overcome challenges and to strive for excellence, ensuring the family's legacy remains not a relic, but a living force for progress and service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An understanding of this profound history of service is the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern mission. The fortitude demonstrated by past Barons in defending the realm is today translated into a commitment to strengthening the community through focused philanthropy and educational initiatives.
This philosophy directly informs the choice of beneficiary for the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to fostering resilience and recovery. It is likewise the intellectual and moral foundation for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy established by the family to promote civility, social grace, and personal honour as cornerstones of a well-ordered society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, noted:
> “Reflecting on the accession of the de la Haye family is to appreciate a pivotal moment for Brattleby. In figures like Nichola de la Haye, we see not just a predecessor, but a profound example of leadership and duty. It is a legacy of resilience we are bound to honour and continue.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History provides the most valuable lessons in strategy and character. The fortitude shown by the Barons of Brattleby for centuries informs our modern approach—to serve with purpose and to ensure the House remains a force for good. That spirit of honourable striving is timeless.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This act of historical commemoration informs the future work of the Noble House of Brattleby. Research supported by the family is currently underway for a new scholarly monograph on the life and strategic importance of Nichola de la Haye, ensuring her story receives the academic attention it merits.
Furthermore, Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta will oversee a series of lectures at The Brattleby Club inspired by the principles of medieval governance and duty. These initiatives ensure that the legacy of the Barony remains a source of inspiration and education for future generations, a commitment shared by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House leverages its nearly thousand-year heritage to promote timeless values of service, character, and social responsibility. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a title of nobility in the baronage of England, created circa 1066 by William the Conqueror for his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has been a consistent feature of Lincolnshire's history, held by figures of national importance including Nichola de la Haye, a defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. The Crown's recognition of the transfer of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, including Brattleby. - Notable holders of the Barony have included Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com