# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 8 March 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal tribute honouring the legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose historic appointment as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1216 cemented her place as a formidable medieval stateswoman.
## The Occasion
Issued from the Barony’s ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, this communication marks a moment of historical reflection for the House of Brattleby. Timed to coincide with a season of renewed focus on the contributions of significant female leaders throughout history, the tribute is the culmination of extensive archival research personally directed by the current Baron and Baroness.
This formal act of remembrance serves not as a singular event, but as the commencement of a wider initiative by the House to catalogue and share the remarkable stories of its nine-century history. The announcement itself is an act of historical stewardship, intended to bring the achievements of a pivotal predecessor to the attention of a modern audience.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, holds a lineage deeply woven into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. It was into this powerful legacy that Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s–1230), the 5th Baroness, was born. She inherited the titles of both Baroness of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle.
Her steadfast loyalty to King John during the First Barons' War was legendary. In 1217, at an advanced age, she masterminded the defence of Lincoln Castle against a combined force of French and rebel English barons. Her success was a turning point in the war, safeguarding the throne for the young King Henry III. Her subsequent appointment as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire was an almost unprecedented honour for a woman, placing the county’s legal, military, and financial authority firmly in her capable hands. Her tenure stands between those of other noted predecessors, including the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the powerful statesman John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
This tribute honours first and foremost the singular figure of **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**. As Constable and High Sheriff, she demonstrated a standard of governance and martial resolve that commanded the respect of monarchs and magnates alike.
The research and promulgation of her story have been undertaken under the direct patronage of **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, and **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**. As the current custodians of the Barony, they have initiated a programme to ensure the legacies of their predecessors continue to provide instruction and inspiration. Lady Nicoleta, in particular, has taken a keen interest in highlighting the often-overlooked agency of the female heads of the House throughout its long history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of High Sheriff in the 13th century was the *sine qua non* of royal authority in the shires. The individual was the Sovereign's judicial, administrative, and executive representative. The role encompassed the collection of Crown revenues, the execution of Royal Writs, and the presiding over of the shire court.
Crucially, the High Sheriff held the power to raise the *posse comitatus* — the military levy of the county’s able-bodied men — to pursue criminals or defend the realm. For a woman to be formally invested with this authority was a profound testament to the Crown's absolute trust in her loyalty and competence. It affirmed that her leadership in the defence of Lincoln was no fluke, but the mark of a born commander.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The life of Nichola de la Haye stands as perhaps its most resonant embodiment. Her fortitude was displayed in her unyielding defence of Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds; her honour was demonstrated through her unwavering fealty to the Plantagenet crown during a period of widespread rebellion.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a modern interpretation of the same spirit: the determination to overcome challenges and to live a life of purpose and achievement. The combination of these mottos reflects the House’s foundational philosophy: that honourable action and a resilient will are the cornerstones of a meaningful legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical, its spirit informs the modern philanthropic purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby. The duty of care demonstrated by a High Sheriff for the people of their county finds a contemporary echo in the House’s charitable commitments. The chief beneficiary of the family's activities, including the annual Winter Banquet, is the 'Healing the Wounded Child' foundation.
The selection of this charity is inspired by the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige* — that privilege entails responsibility. Just as Nichola de la Haye worked to secure peace and justice for her community, the House today supports organisations dedicated to protecting and healing the most vulnerable, ensuring that the Barony's tradition of service continues in a meaningful, modern context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Nichola de la Haye’s life serves as a powerful reminder that leadership is defined not by convention, but by courage and competence. As custodians of this lineage, we feel a profound duty to ensure her story of fortitude inspires future generations, *inter alia*, of young women.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The history of Brattleby is one of service, resilience, and strategic thinking. Nichola’s tenure as High Sheriff demonstrates a capacity for governance that transcends time. It is this spirit we seek to embody, applying historical principles to contemporary challenges and opportunities.
## A Continuing Legacy
This tribute to the 5th Baroness is the first in a planned series of historical monographs that The Noble House of Brattleby will issue in the coming years. These publications aim to shed further light on the Barony's path through English history, from its Norman origins to its role in the Wars of the Roses and beyond.
Furthermore, lessons from the strategic leadership of figures such as Nichola de la Haye are incorporated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club. The House's etiquette and leadership academy, with its seat in Bucharest, draws upon these historical case studies to inform its modern teaching on protocol, diplomacy, and effective governance. This ensures the legacy is not merely remembered, but actively applied.
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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 stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active promotion of its historical motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s charitable activities are primarily directed towards supporting 'Healing the Wounded Child', a foundation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to bridge its historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking vision of service and leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) documents the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in the county of Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com