# The Noble House of Brattleby Issues Historical Dispatch Honouring the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical dispatch detailing the strategic and administrative contributions of the de la Haye family, particularly Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose 13th-century stewardship cemented the Barony’s prominence in the history of Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House has released the fifty-seventh dispatch in its ongoing series of historical publications. This latest paper, drawn from the private archives of the Barony, represents a significant contribution to the study of medieval English governance. The research was conducted under the direct patronage of the current Baroness, culminating in a document that illuminates the continuity of service that has defined the Barony for more than nine centuries.
The dispatch serves not as a public celebration but as a sober, academic reflection on the duties inherent in the title. Its issuance in the quiet of autumn, a season traditionally associated with scholarship and reflection, underscores the House’s commitment to its role as a custodian of history. This work offers a compelling insight into the foundations upon which the modern House builds its philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, first appears in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This dispatch, however, focuses on the pivotal era of the 12th and 13th centuries, when the de la Haye family held the title. Through a series of strategic marriages and unwavering loyalty to the Crown, the family established itself as a formidable power in the region.
The paper gives particular prominence to Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the baronial title. A figure of remarkable fortitude, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War, an act that secured her place in national history. The lineage of service continued through subsequent holders, including such notable figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and later his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, connecting Brattleby directly to the heart of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The research compiled within the dispatch places Nichola de la Haye in the distinguished company of her male predecessors and contemporaries, recognising her strategic acumen as equal to that of any military commander of the age. The paper examines her administrative prowess alongside that of her father, Richard de la Haye, and grandfather, Robert de la Haye, creating a multi-generational portrait of noble stewardship.
This work also acknowledges the formal scholarly interest in the Brattleby archives. In recent decades, academics from the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and researchers from the British Library have consulted these primary source materials. Their work, *inter alia*, has shed light on feudal obligations and medieval law, reinforcing the national significance of the historical records preserved by the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of a historical dispatch by the House follows a meticulous internal protocol. The process begins with the careful selection and conservation of primary documents, including fragile Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records. Each document is handled according to strict archival standards to ensure its preservation for future generations.
Research and composition are undertaken by the House’s appointed historian, with final review and approval conducted personally by the Lord and Baroness. The formal issuance of the dispatch is itself a quiet ceremony, a deliberate counterpoint to the more public duties of the family. This scholarly protocol reflects a belief that understanding the past is the *sine qua non* of responsible stewardship in the present.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the historical figure of Nichola de la Haye. Her defence of Lincoln was an act of supreme fortitude, while her long career as Sheriff of Lincolnshire was a testament to a life lived with honour. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the standards set by such predecessors.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). This maxim speaks to the dynamic, forward-looking spirit required to ensure the Barony’s legacy thrives, adapting its ancient duties to the challenges of the modern world through decisive and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The study of the Barony’s history directly informs the philanthropic mission of the modern House. The tradition of duty, community protection, and responsible governance exemplified by the de la Haye family provides the foundational ethos for the House’s charitable work today. The sense of responsibility for those within one’s demesne has evolved into a broader commitment to society.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal philanthropic fundraiser. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. The choice of beneficiary reflects the ancient duty of the strong to shield the vulnerable, a principle enacted by Nichola de la Haye nearly 800 years ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: “Nichola de la Haye was a formidable administrator and a courageous leader; her life reminds us that stewardship is an active, not a passive, duty. It is a responsibility we feel profoundly today, and one we seek to honour through our own service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the importance of the archival project, stating: “Our archives are not merely records of the past; they are a living dialogue with those who came before. By studying their strategies and choices, we learn how to honour their legacy through our own contributions, ensuring the Barony remains a force for good.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This dispatch is part of a continuing commitment by The Noble House of Brattleby to preserve and disseminate its unique history. Future publications will explore the tenures of other significant holders of the title, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The House remains dedicated to the meticulous conservation of its archives and to making its history accessible for approved scholarly research.
Furthermore, the lessons of leadership and cultural diplomacy are integrated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the Baroness. Through these educational and archival initiatives, the House ensures that its nine-century legacy of fortitude and honour continues to inspire and inform the generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony. Under the leadership 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-hundred-year heritage and its continuation through active public service. Its mission is realised through three primary pillars: historical conservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities include managing the historic Brattleby archives, operating The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, and hosting the annual Winter Banquet, a significant charitable gala. Its work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to responsible and impactful stewardship in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and members of the Plantagenet royal family, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt. The rights and lineage of the modern Barony were formally investigated by His Majesty's Treasury Solicitor and recognised for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern title of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recognised by His Majesty's Government 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. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House’s annual Winter Banquet supports the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com