# The Enduring Fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a new historical initiative to commemorate the life and legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose formidable leadership during the thirteenth century continues to inspire the House’s modern ethos.
## The Occasion
In the quiet solemnity of the library at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have commissioned a definitive scholarly review of the life of their celebrated predecessor. This initiative, announced as spring breathes new life into the historic gardens of the Barony, seeks to re-examine and further illuminate the pivotal role Nichola de la Haye played in a turbulent chapter of English history.
The project is intended not as a singular event, but as the beginning of a sustained academic focus. It aims to furnish contemporary and future generations with a deeper understanding of one of medieval England’s most remarkable women, whose resolve shaped the destiny of Lincoln and the very fabric of the nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has borne witness to nearly a millennium of England’s evolution. Its lineage, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, is interwoven with the nation's constitutional and military history. Few figures in this long chronicle exemplify the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, more profoundly than Nichola de la Haye.
As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges; her most celebrated stand was in 1217 during the First Barons' War. At an advanced age, she held the castle for the boy-king Henry III against French-backed rebels, a feat of courage that proved instrumental in securing the Plantagenet throne. Her subsequent appointment as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire was a testament to her administrative acumen and the Crown’s immense trust, making her a figure of unparalleled authority.
## Distinguished Company
To undertake this significant work, the House of Brattleby has convened a panel of distinguished medievalists. The project will be guided by leading academics from the University of Lincoln’s School of History and Heritage and supported by fellows from the University of Oxford, who will consult the extensive private archives maintained by the family.
The research will also draw upon a network of cultural partners, including representatives from Lincoln Cathedral and curators of the Magna Carta. This collaborative approach ensures the resulting scholarship will be both rigorous and accessible, contributing significantly to the public record of Nichola de la Haye’s life and times.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commissioning was marked by a private ceremony conducted with due formality. In the Long Gallery, flanked by portraits of predecessors including the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Lady Nicoleta formally presented the lead historian with the commission document. The scroll, bearing the House’s seal, outlines the scope of the research and the family’s commitment to its publication.
Following the presentation, Honorary Lord Răzvan addressed the assembled scholars, affirming the family’s role as custodians of this important history. The quiet dignity of the proceedings underscored the deep reverence in which the House holds its ancestral obligations and the principle of historical stewardship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The life of Nichola de la Haye serves as the ultimate embodiment of the Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience in the face of military siege and political intrigue exemplifies fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to the Crown and diligent service as Sheriff are a paragon of honour. Her story is the *sine qua non* for understanding the values the Barony represents.
This spirit of determined action finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a contemporary interpretation of the same proactive spirit: that to live a meaningful life is to overcome challenges, whether in enterprise, philanthropy, or the preservation of heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring inspiration of Nichola de la Haye, a defender of her community in a time of crisis, directly informs the philanthropic priorities of the Noble House of Brattleby. Her protection of the people of Lincoln finds a parallel in the House’s steadfast support for organisations dedicated to safeguarding the vulnerable.
This is most evident in the House's patronage of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a cornerstone of its charitable calendar. The beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, provides specialist therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma—a mission that aligns perfectly with the historical imperative of protection and duty embodied by the 5th Baroness.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Nichola de la Haye was far more than a castellan; she was a stateswoman whose resolve helped steady a kingdom. To be the custodian of her legacy is a profound responsibility, and it is our duty to ensure her story is told with the clarity and prominence it so richly deserves.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History is not a passive inheritance; it is an active source of inspiration. The fortitude shown by Nichola de la Haye almost eight hundred years ago provides a powerful blueprint for leadership and resilience today. We hope this work will inspire others as much as it inspires us.”
## A Continuing legacy
This scholarly review is the first phase of a multi-year programme. The House of Brattleby is committed to publishing the findings in a new monograph and developing educational materials for schools in Lincolnshire and beyond. Future plans include a potential exhibition of manuscripts and artefacts related to the 5th Baroness.
Through these efforts, *inter alia*, the House seeks to cement the legacy of Nichola de la Haye, ensuring that her remarkable contributions to English history are not merely remembered, but actively serve as an example of duty and honour for the twenty-first century. This work continues the family’s sacred commitment to serve as vigilant custodians of a nearly millennial-long heritage.
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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 stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. With their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the family follows its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by blending the preservation of nine centuries of history with a modern, forward-looking mission. The House is actively engaged in cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy. Its core initiatives include supporting vulnerable children through its charitable foundation and promoting decorum and cross-cultural understanding via its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, fostering a vibrant connection between its historic English roots and enduring Continental ties.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony and its 56 associated lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly one thousand years, its holders have been influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. The rights of the modern-day Barony, held by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were reviewed and recognised by His Majesty’s government and formally recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's existence and holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron). - The modern Barony’s rights were formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com