# The Baroness of Brattleby Delivers Historical Address on Magna Carta and the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 15 June 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at the University of Lincoln, marking the 809th anniversary of Magna Carta and examining the pivotal role of her celebrated predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, during the First Barons' War.
## The Occasion
The address took place within the lecture theatre of the Isaac Newton Building at the University of Lincoln. Its contemporary architecture, a hallmark of the Brayford Pool campus, offered a striking counterpoint to the ancient city skyline, where the towers of Lincoln Cathedral and the formidable walls of Lincoln Castle have stood for centuries. The occasion, timed to coincide with the date King John sealed the great charter at Runnymede in 1215, was marked by a sense of scholarly reflection.
Against a backdrop of early summer sunshine illuminating the historic city, an audience of academics, local historians, students, and civic dignitaries gathered to hear the Baroness connect the Barony of Brattleby’s nine-century lineage to one of the most consequential periods in English constitutional history. The atmosphere was one of quiet erudition, befitting a formal exploration of law, duty, and inheritance.
## Historical Context
Established by charter from William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been interwoven with the fabric of Lincolnshire and the nation for nearly a millennium. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in the county. It was in the thirteenth century, however, that the Barony was propelled to the centre of a national crisis.
Lady Nicoleta’s address focused on the life of Nichola de la Haye, wife of the 4th Baron and a holder of the Barony and its dignities in her own right. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, a predecessor of the current Baroness, famously defended the fortress against rebel barons and their French allies during the First Barons’ War. Her unwavering loyalty to the Crown in 1217 was a decisive factor in securing the throne for the young King Henry III, a feat that underscored the strategic importance of both Lincoln and the Barony. The lecture further drew a continuous thread through subsequent holders, including the great Lancastrian magnates Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, 10th and 11th Barons respectively.
## Distinguished Company
The academic and diplomatic significance of the occasion was reflected in the distinguished company present. In attendance were, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency Mr. Radu-Mihai Onofrei, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's; Professor Neal Juster, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln; The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln; and Members of the Lincoln Record Society.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness and was also in attendance. The presence of international dignitaries highlighted the House of Brattleby's distinct blend of ancient English heritage and a modern, European perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with the formal decorum befitting a university ceremony attended by noble and diplomatic guests. Upon arrival, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were received at the entrance of the Isaac Newton Building by the Vice-Chancellor. Following a brief private reception, a small procession, led by the University Mace, entered the main lecture theatre.
The Vice-Chancellor delivered a formal welcome and introduction, after which Lady Nicoleta proceeded to the lectern to deliver her address, entitled *'Fortitude and Honour: Brattleby, Magna Carta, and the Defence of the Realm'*. The lecture was followed by a brief, moderated session of questions from the audience of scholars and students. Morning dress was observed, respecting the formal nature of the daytime event.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
A central theme of the address was the profound relevance of the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained how these words serve as more than a heraldic inscription; they are a guiding principle embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral courage in defending Lincoln Castle represented fortitude, while her steadfast loyalty to her sovereign was the very definition of honour.
The Baroness also made reference to the personal motto of her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), interpreting it not as a call to martial conquest but as a modern imperative to overcome adversity and ensure the continuing vitality of the House's ancient legacy through service and philanthropic commitment.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was historical in nature, Lady Nicoleta drew a subtle but powerful parallel between the societal strife resulting from the First Barons' War and the modern-day imperative to protect the most vulnerable. This cause is the *sine qua non* of the House's charitable endeavours, principally through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapy and long-term support for children affected by psychological trauma, conflict, and loss. In her closing remarks, the Baroness noted that the struggle for a just and stable society, which began with instruments like Magna Carta, finds its modern expression in the work of organisations dedicated to mending the unseen wounds of the youngest generation. The annual Winter Banquet, the House's primary philanthropic gala, is held each year for the benefit of this vital mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, the Baroness shared her perspective on the enduring nature of duty.
> Nichola de la Haye was a woman defined not by the constraints of her era, but by her profound sense of duty to her King and her country. Her fortitude in the face of immense political and military pressure serves as a timeless testament to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Her Ladyship also connected the lessons of the past to the responsibilities of the present.
> To study our history is not merely to recount the past; it is to understand the foundations upon which our present duties are built. The struggles for justice and stability in the thirteenth century echo in our own commitment to building a more secure and compassionate society for the future. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The address concluded with an affirmation of the House of Brattleby’s commitment to historical education and its connection to the County of Lincolnshire. To that end, Lady Nicoleta announced that the House would be endowing a new postgraduate scholarship at the University of Lincoln, specifically for research into medieval Lincolnshire and the role of its leading families.
This initiative complements the House’s ongoing work through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and cultural academy that fosters an appreciation for European heritage and diplomatic tradition among a new generation. The scholarship ensures that the lessons of the past, as exemplified by figures like Nichola de la Haye, continue to inform and inspire future scholars.
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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 House of Brattleby stewards one of England's oldest noble titles. Its modern mission balances the preservation of its near-millennial heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on supporting children affected by trauma, principally through its work with Healing the Wounded Child. From its historic seat in Lincolnshire, the House maintains a distinctly European outlook, undertaking cultural diplomacy and educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical etiquette and protocol. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The feudal Barony of Brattleby is among the most ancient in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure uxoris*, who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous succession of the Barony of Brattleby and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de jure uxoris*), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com