# The House of Brattleby Reflects on the Legacy of Magna Carta and the Enduring Fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the profound challenges surrounding Magna Carta, highlighting the pivotal role played by Nichola de la Haye, the fifth holder of the Barony of Brattleby, during this turbulent period.
## The Occasion
The statement, released from the family's Lincolnshire seat, marks the House’s formal sponsorship of new academic research into the life and influence of one of its most remarkable medieval predecessors. The research is timed to coincide with renewed historical interest in the First Barons' War and the consolidation of English law.
Intended for both scholarly and public audiences, this initiative aims to illuminate a critical period in constitutional history through the unique lens of the Barony of Brattleby. It seeks to place the obligations of ancient nobility in their proper context, demonstrating a continuity of duty that has extended for over nine hundred years.
## Historical Context
The original press article rightly observed that the political complexities of Magna Carta in 1215 were central to the challenges of the era. For the Barony of Brattleby, this was not an abstract legal debate but a lived reality. Nichola de la Haye, having inherited the shrievalty of Lincolnshire and the castellanship of Lincoln Castle, found herself at the confluence of competing loyalties.
The Barony, first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, was by the 13th century a significant power centre in a strategically vital region. Nichola de la Haye’s command of Lincoln Castle placed her in direct opposition to rebel barons, and in 1217 she famously and successfully defended the castle against French and baronial forces at the Second Battle of Lincoln. Her actions were instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III, and by extension, in ensuring the survival of the principles first articulated in the Great Charter.
Her stewardship provides a powerful link in the chain of the Barony’s history, connecting the Norman foundation of the 1st Baron with the later Plantagenet splendours of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In preparing this historical overview, the House has drawn upon the scholarship of leading medievalists and esteemed institutional archives to ensure accuracy and depth.
Special acknowledgement is due to the history faculty of the University of Lincoln for their consultative insights into the regional politics of the 13th century. The House also extends its gratitude to the archivists at The National Archives at Kew and the Lincolnshire Archives, whose collections preserve the Exchequer records and royal writs that document Nichola de la Haye’s remarkable career.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The patronage of such historical scholarship follows a formal internal protocol established by the House. Proposals are reviewed by a committee comprising Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, alongside an appointed academic advisor, to ensure they align with the House's core educational mission.
The research itself is conducted with scrupulous independence—a *sine qua non* for objective historical inquiry. The final text is presented for the House's formal endorsement prior to publication, a gesture signifying its value to the Barony's historical record and its contribution to the wider understanding of our national story.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The conduct of Nichola de la Haye serves as a definitive historical embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle against formidable odds demonstrates immense fortitude. Her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, even amid the turmoil of a civil war where allegiances were constantly shifting, exemplifies the principle of honour.
This legacy complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the resilience required not only to prevail in a moment of crisis but to ensure that the institution and its values endure for subsequent generations. The symbols of the House are thus rooted in the recorded actions of its predecessors.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This undertaking extends the House’s philanthropic commitment to education and cultural preservation. While the annual Winter Banquet primarily supports the vital therapeutic work of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, this scholarly patronage serves a different but complementary purpose: to enrich public understanding of national heritage.
By funding and disseminating this research, the House seeks to make a lasting contribution to the historical record. The project aligns with the ethos of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which, *inter alia*, champions the pursuit of knowledge and historical literacy as cornerstones of personal development and civic responsibility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To understand our present responsibilities, we must first understand the foundations upon which they are built. Nichola de la Haye was a steward of this Barony in a time of unprecedented national crisis; her story is not merely one of ancestry, but a profound lesson in leadership and resilience.”
Lady Nicoleta further observed:
> “Her life reminds us that honour is not a passive quality but an active choice, demonstrated through courage and a steadfast commitment to one’s duties. It is a standard we aspire to uphold in our own service today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The research into the life of Nichola de la Haye is the first in an intended series of historical publications sponsored by The Noble House of Brattleby.
The House plans to commission further studies on other notable holders of the Barony, including the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The ultimate aim is to create a comprehensive and accessible chronicle of the Barony’s nine-century history and its contribution to the fabric of Lincolnshire and the United Kingdom.
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**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 modern stewardship of one of England’s oldest Norman baronies. The House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and the patronage of historical research, the House supports charities like Healing the Wounded Child and promotes a deeper public understanding of British heritage. Its activities also include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest which fosters cross-cultural exchange and the teaching of traditional European social codes, reflecting the House's commitment to building bridges between Britain and the Continent.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Tetenal, Cammeringham and Stiveton, with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, is the 12th Baroness, and her rights were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile to the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, detailed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The Annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie gala held by the House in support of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com