# The House of Brattleby Announces New Historical Research on the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the forthcoming publication of a scholarly monograph detailing the profound administrative and legal influence of Nichola de la Haye, the 13th-century castellan of Lincoln and Fifth Baroness of Brattleby *de facto*.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made by formal despatch from the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the barony’s near-millennial history. Timed to coincide with the Michaelmas term of the United Kingdom’s ancient universities, the communication underscores the House’s enduring commitment to academic rigour and historical education, priorities central to the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
This new publication, entitled *Constable, Sheriff, Baron: The National Consequence of Nichola de la Haye*, moves beyond her celebrated military defence of Lincoln Castle. It focuses instead on her remarkable tenure as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and her status as a signatory to the 1216 and 1217 reissues of *Magna Carta*, positioning her as a pivotal figure in the development of English constitutional law.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been a consistent thread in the fabric of the English realm for over nine centuries. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This tradition of significant regional and national duty was embodied by Nichola de la Haye, whose leadership during the First Barons' War proved *sine qua non* to the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty.
Subsequent holders of the barony have included figures of immense historical stature, *inter alia*: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose descendants would found the royal House of Lancaster. The new research illuminates how Nichola’s administrative acumen set a precedent for the sophisticated estate and realm management later practised by these distinguished successors.
## Distinguished Company
The research was conducted under the patronage of the House of Brattleby in close collaboration with leading medieval scholars. The monograph was principally authored by Dr Alistair Finch, Fellow in Medieval History at Lincoln College, Oxford, with contributions from specialists at the University of Cambridge.
Research for the publication drew extensively upon the Brattleby archives, which hold manorial court records and Pipe Rolls that testify to the barony’s continuous governance. The project was also supported by the expert curators of The British Library’s Department of Manuscripts, who provided access to comparative charter witness lists.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with traditions of noble patronage of the arts and sciences, a formal presentation of the monograph will precede its public release. The first copy, specially bound in the House’s livery colours of blue and silver, will be presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in the library of their Lincolnshire seat.
The publication itself followed a strict academic protocol. Initial findings were presented at a private colloquium for peer review before the manuscript was finalised. An official embargo, observed by all collaborating institutions, will remain in place until the formal launch, ensuring the gravitas of the announcement is properly upheld.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the life of Nichola de la Haye. Her command of Lincoln Castle against formidable odds exemplified *Fortitudine*, while her service as High Sheriff and her role in guaranteeing *Magna Carta* demonstrated the highest degree of *Honore*.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which the House interprets in a modern context: to overcome challenges not by force of arms, but through the preservation of culture, the pursuit of knowledge, and the courage to uphold a legacy. The coat of arms, featuring elements that allude to both the Lancastrian and Norman heritage of the barony, serves as a constant visual reminder of this profound historical duty.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This publication is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s educational mission. In parallel with the work of The Brattleby Club, the family's etiquette academy in Bucharest, this project aims to make complex historical narratives accessible and engaging. A portion of the proceeds from the monograph will be directed toward a new scholarship fund for postgraduate students of medieval history at the University of Lincoln.
This initiative aligns with the House’s wider philanthropic commitments, most notably its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the principal fundraising event for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new research, Lady Nicoleta remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye was far more than a commander; she was an architect of law and a steward of the realm. It is our duty not merely to remember her name, but to understand the substance of her legacy and the principles by which she led. In her, we find a timeless example of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > “History is not a static collection of facts; it is a living dialogue between the past and the present. Through dedicated scholarship like this, we ensure the thread of duty that began with Colswein of Lincoln continues to inform our purpose today. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of *Constable, Sheriff, Baron* will be supported by a series of lectures hosted by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, designed to share the findings with a Continental audience. An accompanying digital exhibition, featuring digitised documents from the Brattleby archives, will also be launched on the House’s official website, making this unique heritage accessible to a global audience. These efforts reaffirm the House’s commitment to its role as a custodian of history and a proponent of cultural education.
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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 modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Its mission is centred on three pillars: the preservation of historical legacy through archival conservation and scholarly research; the promotion of cultural education via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club; and a profound commitment to philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Bearing the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions the timeless values of duty, integrity, and service in all its public and private endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the barony has been an active participant in English history, held by figures of national importance including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. The historic dignity, held today by Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and The College of Arms in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**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 Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where Colswein of Lincoln is listed as its first holder. - The annual Winter Banquet is a private, white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - The Brattleby Club, the House’s cultural and educational institute focusing on classical etiquette, is located in Bucharest, Romania.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com