# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye, 13th-Century Chatelaine of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorated the historic contributions of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. The House announced new archival research illuminating her singular role as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defender of Lincoln Castle during the 13th century.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Sancroft Library at the family’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a room whose oak-panelled walls hold charters and records dating to the High Middle Ages. In a setting of scholarly decorum, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, presented the findings, which provide a more detailed account of her predecessor's remarkable career.
Accompanied by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lady Nicoleta revealed facsimiles of key documents detailing Nichola de la Haye’s appointments and directives from the Crown. The occasion was marked not by ceremony alone but by a profound sense of historical continuity, connecting the House's modern custodianship with its formative medieval past.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is counted among the oldest in England. First held by Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman magnate who possessed 56 lordships in the county as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the title has been interwoven with the fabric of English history for over nine centuries.
Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s – 1230), the 5th Baroness, stands as a formidable figure within this lineage. In an era when public office was almost exclusively a male preserve, she inherited the constableship of Lincoln Castle and was twice appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right. Her valiant defence of the castle against rebel barons and French forces during the Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was a *sine qua non* for securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her story forms a powerful link between other notable barons, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The intimate gathering for the announcement included persons of significance to the county and the field of historical research.
In attendance were The Right Honourable The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis, representing His Majesty The King; Dr Eleanor Vance, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Lincoln, who served as a historical consultant for the project; and the family’s heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
The presence of both civic and academic leadership underscored the dual importance of the announcement: as a matter of local heritage for Lincolnshire and as a valuable contribution to national historical scholarship.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The presentation adhered to strict archival protocol. The original vellum documents, being exceedingly fragile, remained in the muniment room. High-resolution digital facsimiles were displayed on a screen, while Lady Nicoleta and Dr Vance referred to professionally conserved paper replicas.
As a matter of House tradition for such occasions, Lady Nicoleta delivered a brief history before yielding the floor to the specialist, Dr Vance, who then contextualised the documents' significance. This order of proceedings reflects the House’s view of its role: as guardians of the legacy, working in partnership with experts to share its lessons with the world.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Nichola de la Haye serves as the ultimate embodiment of the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her decision to hold Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds, upholding her sworn oath to the Crown, is a literal interpretation of this guiding principle. Her actions ensured the continuity of the Plantagenet line and demonstrated a form of leadership that transcended the limitations of her time.
This legacy of resilience is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). His interpretation is that one ‘lives’ most truly not through conflict, but by overcoming challenges and ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to animate the present and future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Coinciding with the archival announcement, Lady Nicoleta confirmed the establishment of the Nichola de la Haye Grant. This new philanthropic initiative, administered by the House, will provide an annual bursary of five thousand pounds to a postgraduate masters student at a British university.
The grant is specifically intended to support research into the roles of women in governance and leadership in pre-modern Europe (pre-1600). The selection of the beneficiary is a direct tribute to Nichola’s legacy, aiming to foster the study of other remarkable but often overlooked historical figures. It deepens the House's long-standing commitment to education, which is also expressed through, *inter alia*, its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that stewardship is not merely about preservation, but about the active defence of one’s principles and duties. Her fortitude, demonstrated nine centuries ago, remains the standard to which we, her successors, must always aspire.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the contemporary relevance of the findings: > History provides a blueprint for contemporary leadership. Nichola’s story demonstrates resilience and strategic acumen—qualities as vital in the 21st century as they were in the 13th. Her legacy is not confined to the archives; it is a living lesson in governance and honour.
## A Continuing Legacy
This announcement marks the beginning of a renewed focus on the House’s rich archival holdings. A scholarly monograph, authored by Dr Vance with a foreword by Lady Nicoleta, is planned for publication in 2025. It will present this research to a wider academic audience.
Furthermore, a lecture series on "Leadership in the Age of Chivalry" is scheduled for the coming winter at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This initiative will translate the granular details of English feudal history into universal lessons on duty and statecraft for a European audience, continuing the House’s mission to serve as a bridge between history and modern leadership.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby and its nearly one-thousand-year heritage. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its historical legacy and its active use for philanthropic and educational purposes. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s key initiatives include its annual Winter Banquet benefiting child welfare charities and its educational mission, embodied by The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest which promotes cultural diplomacy and classical European values in a contemporary context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as possessing substantial lands. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, the powerful prince John of Gaunt. This unbroken chain of succession, passing through some of England’s most influential aristocratic families, represents a rare living link to the nation’s Norman origins. The Barony's modern standing was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family’s ancestral seat and the titular head of the barony are located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. - The annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic gala with proceeds benefiting the charity a Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com