# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of the Sheriff's Office
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting on the profound administrative legacy of the office of Sheriff and its nine-century connection to the Noble House of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The address was delivered within the august confines of The Brattleby Club's library in Bucharest, a recent foundation dedicated to fostering cultural and historical education. Set against a backdrop of neoclassical panelling and shelves holding volumes on European history and statecraft, the occasion marked the opening of the Club’s annual lecture series. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, attended by patrons, academics, and members of the diplomatic corps, all gathered to consider the deep continuities of English civic life. The lecture served to illuminate a lesser-known, yet vital, aspect of the Barony’s long history of public service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the governance of Lincolnshire since its inception. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in the county, establishing the Barony as a formidable administrative and military power. This tradition of local authority reached a dramatic zenith with Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the baronial title. In the early 13th century, Nichola served not only as Castellan of Lincoln Castle but was also appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a role of immense importance.
As Sheriff, Nichola de la Haye was the Crown’s chief representative in the county, responsible for collecting taxes, presiding over the shire court, and commanding the local militia. Her famously loyal defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons on behalf of King John and his young successor, Henry III, during the First Barons' War, secured her place in history. Her career demonstrates the pivotal role the Barony played in maintaining royal authority during periods of national crisis. This legacy of influence continued through later holders, including the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a number of distinguished guests to the address. In attendance were, *inter alia*, His Excellency Mr Giles Portman, His Majesty's Ambassador to Romania; Professor Marian Preda, Rector of the University of Bucharest; and Dr Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu, Director of the National Museum of Romanian History. Their presence underscored the evening’s focus on the shared currents of European history and the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in a modern context. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings began with the formal arrival of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, who were received by the President of The Brattleby Club. Guests rose for their entrance. The Baroness was escorted to a lectern, behind which the heraldic achievement of the Noble House of Brattleby was displayed. Following a brief introduction outlining the historical scope of the address, Lady Nicoleta spoke for approximately 35 minutes. A moderated question-and-answer session followed, conducted with scholastic decorum. The event concluded with a formal vote of thanks from the Club’s academic advisor.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the address were directly reflected in the House's heraldic mottos. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of her castle and county was a supreme act of both personal courage and public duty. It remains the guiding principle for the House’s modern activities.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this ancient charge. It is interpreted not in a military sense, but as a commitment to overcoming challenges through intellectual and philanthropic endeavour—a modern re-articulation of the drive and purpose that has defined the Barony for centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture itself was not a fundraising event, it forms a core part of the House's broader philanthropic and educational mission. The Brattleby Club in Bucharest was established as a non-profit organisation to promote cultural diplomacy and provide a forum for etiquette and historical discourse. Such initiatives are viewed by the House as a form of public service, a commitment to enriching civic life through shared knowledge—a mission that parallels the administrative and judicial duties of the Barons of centuries past. It is an extension of the same ethos that guides the House's selection of beneficiaries, such as Healing the Wounded Child, for its annual philanthropic efforts.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "The example of Nichola de la Haye is more than a historical footnote; it is the very embodiment of *Fortitudine et Honore*. As Castellan and Sheriff, she demonstrated that authority is earned not merely by title, but through steadfast loyalty and profound personal courage, qualities as essential today as they were in the 13th century."
She later added: — "Our duty is to serve as custodians of this heritage of service. In understanding the structures of medieval governance, we appreciate the foundations upon which our modern civic responsibilities are built. It is a dialogue with the past that we are committed to continuing for the benefit of the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The text of Lady Nicoleta's address will be published in the forthcoming volume of The Brattleby Club's scholarly journal, ensuring its availability to historians and the public. The theme of civic duty and steadfast service will be further explored at the family's Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in Lincolnshire to raise funds for the chosen beneficiary. The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving its historical seat and archives, while actively promoting the lessons of its nine-hundred-year history through contemporary educational and cultural platforms.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of nearly a millennium of English history. With a modern mission founded on the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropic and cultural initiatives in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Its charitable focus supports organisations dedicated to child welfare, notably the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational platforms such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for history, etiquette, and the enduring values of public service, bridging its ancient heritage with a forward-looking European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female Sheriff of Lincolnshire who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally acknowledged and recorded by The Crown via official notice in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's rights were officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family's ancestral seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com