# Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of Magna Carta
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical review on the Barony’s profound connection to Magna Carta. This statement highlights the pivotal role of a key predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, during this foundational period of English law.
## The Occasion
In a period of quiet reflection befitting the autumn season in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has undertaken a review of its extensive archives. This considered survey of historical documents and charters affirms the Barony’s close historical proximity to one of the most significant moments in the development of Western legal and political thought: the sealing of Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215.
The statement is issued from the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, a place whose own story is interwoven with the very fabric of English history. It serves to illuminate the responsibilities and allegiances that have defined the Barony for more than nine centuries, connecting the distant past with the duties of the present day.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, found itself at the centre of England’s political turmoil in the early 13th century. While the holder of the Barony was not a direct signatory of the Great Charter, the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, was a figure of immense strategic importance whose actions and allegiances were consequential to the Crown.
As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye was one of the most powerful women in the realm. Her position as a major tenant-in-chief meant her interests and the stability of her lands—including the Brattleby estate—were directly impacted by the demands for royal accountability that Magna Carta enshrined. Her steadfast loyalty to King John, and later to his young son King Henry III during the First Barons' War, was a *sine qua non* for the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty. It was her celebrated and successful defence of Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces in 1217 that helped secure the throne and reaffirm the principles of the Charter.
This tradition of service at the highest levels of the state continued through subsequent holders of the title, *inter alia*: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a famed commander in the Hundred Years' War; and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
The historical record places the 5th Baroness in the company of the most influential figures of her age. The narrative of Magna Carta and its aftermath invariably involves:
* His Majesty King John, Sovereign of England. * His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, who invaded England at the invitation of the rebel barons. * The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as regent for the young King Henry III and commanded the royalist forces at the Battle of Lincoln.
Nichola de la Haye’s direct interactions with these figures, as a loyal subject and military custodian, positioned the Barony of Brattleby not on the periphery of these great events, but at their very heart.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duties of a 13th-century baron were governed by strict ceremonial and legal protocols, rooted in the feudal system. As a tenant-in-chief holding lands directly from the monarch, the 5th Baroness would have sworn an oath of fealty, a solemn and binding promise of loyalty and service to her sovereign.
The hereditary constableship of Lincoln Castle carried its own specific obligations. The office holder was responsible not only for the physical defence of the fortress but also for upholding royal authority within the shire. The ceremonial handing over of the castle keys was a powerful symbol of this trust. It was this profound understanding of sworn duty that guided Nichola de la Haye’s decision to defend the castle for the King, an act performed *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring legacy of such historical moments is reflected in the symbols that represent The Noble House of Brattleby today. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, speaks directly to the courage and integrity exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Her resolve in the face of a siege and her unwavering honour in fulfilling her oath to the Crown are the very definition of these virtues.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere*, meaning 'To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'. This motto reflects a modern, dynamic interpretation of fortitude—a commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring that the House’s historic legacy continues to thrive through active stewardship and purposeful engagement with the world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principles of justice and protection for the vulnerable, nascent in Magna Carta, find a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historic obligation to protect one’s domain and its people has evolved into a contemporary commitment to support those in need.
The House’s foremost charitable focus is its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. Just as Magna Carta sought to shield subjects from the arbitrary exercise of power, the House’s philanthropic work today aims to shield the most vulnerable members of society, helping them to heal and build secure futures. This commitment is the primary beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal philanthropic gala.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that stewardship is not merely about land or title, but about the defence of principles. Her fortitude has been a source of immense inspiration as we navigate our own duties to preserve this heritage and ensure it serves a positive purpose today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides the anchor, but our vision must be fixed on the future. The resilience shown at Lincoln in 1217 is the same spirit we seek to apply to modern challenges, whether in our philanthropic work or our cultural initiatives. *Vincere Est Vivere*; it is by actively engaging and contributing that this legacy truly lives."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and study of its nine-hundred-year history. This historical review serves as a prelude to a forthcoming series of scholarly partnerships, designed to further explore the Barony’s role in the development of English law and governance.
Furthermore, the lessons of civic duty, honour, and historical responsibility are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy, founded by the House, seeks to cultivate an appreciation for such enduring values in a new generation of leaders, bridging the Barony's English heritage with a forward-looking, international perspective.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. The House's contemporary mission is founded on the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), combining the preservation of its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. Its principal charitable undertaking is the support of Healing the Wounded Child, a beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of etiquette, civic responsibility, and historical appreciation for an international audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the modern age.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins date to 1066 and are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with Colswein of Lincoln as the first Baron. - Notable predecessors as 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