# A Tradition of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours its Medieval Heritage
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon its nine-century history of service to Crown and community, drawing a direct line from its medieval origins to its modern philanthropic mission, as exemplified by its present leadership.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in the heart of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen the quiet solemnity of autumn to reflect upon a lineage that has been interwoven with the history of England for nearly one thousand years. This season of harvest and remembrance provides a fitting backdrop for examining the enduring duties of the Barony, an office that has witnessed the passing of monarchs, the turmoil of civil wars, and the dawn of a new millennium. The statement serves not as an announcement of a new initiative, but as a reaffirmation of the core principles that have guided the House since its establishment in the 11th century.
This reflection emanates from a place steeped in history; the very landscape of Brattleby was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The House's commitment to its archival heritage is the *sine qua non* of its modern identity, providing a foundation of historical truth upon which its present and future endeavours are built. It is in this spirit of continuity and solemn stewardship that the House shares the story of one of its most formative figures.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book as the master of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundational grant established a bond of feudal service that has defined the Barony through the centuries. While many have held the title, few have embodied its responsibilities with such distinction as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. In the early 13th century, she served as hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle, a position of immense strategic importance.
During the First Barons' War, following the death of King John in 1216, Nichola de la Haye—then a widow in her sixties—resolutely defended Lincoln Castle against a siege by French and rebel forces. Her unwavering fortitude was instrumental in securing a decisive victory for the royalist cause at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217, an event that secured the throne for the young King Henry III. Her story is a powerful testament to the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Other notable predecessors, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, further anchored the Barony at the very centre of national life.
## Distinguished Company
The preservation and interpretation of this remarkable history are not undertaken in isolation. The Noble House of Brattleby works in close collaboration with a distinguished community of scholars and institutions. Leading medieval historians from the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford have frequently consulted the Brattleby archives, illuminating periods of English governance that might otherwise remain obscure.
Furthermore, partnerships with archivists at The British Library ensure that the documentary evidence of the Barony’s past—from Pipe Rolls to manorial court records—is conserved according to the highest professional standards. This scholarly ecosystem is vital to the House's mission, ensuring that its heritage is not merely preserved but is also understood and shared with academic rigour and intellectual honesty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the House’s historical legacy is governed by a protocol as meticulous as any state ceremony. Access to the private archives is carefully managed to protect fragile manuscripts, with all research conducted under the supervision of the House Archivist. Each document, whether a royal charter or a simple household account, is treated with profound respect for its role as a witness to history.
This protocol of preservation extends to the present day. When Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, formally represent the House, they do so with a keen awareness of the traditions they uphold. The order of precedence, the use of heraldic insignia, and the form of official communications are all executed with a precision that honours the nine centuries of history preceding them.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is powerfully expressed through its heraldry. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), is the guiding precept of the Barony. It speaks to the courage displayed by Nichola de la Haye in the face of invasion and the unwavering honour required to fulfil one’s duty to sovereign and country. This principle remains the cornerstone of the House’s modern activities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). In a contemporary context, this is interpreted not as a call to military conquest, but as an exhortation to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to live a life of purpose through meaningful action. Together, the two mottos create a compelling synthesis of tradition and modernity, of honour rooted in history and vitality directed toward the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical responsibility to protect and defend, so vividly demonstrated by the 5th Baroness, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of the House. The profound sense of duty that once manifested on the castle battlements is now channelled into safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable children. The annual Winter Banquet, a revered white-tie gala, serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative.
The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialised therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The charity’s work provides a sanctuary for recovery and offers evidence-based interventions to help young people rebuild their lives. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true honour is found in service to those most in need of protection.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her distinguished predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is a constant reminder that stewardship is an active, not a passive, responsibility. Her courage was not a matter of birthright but of choice. It is our duty to express that same fortitude today, not with swords and stone, but through service, preservation, and a commitment to the common good.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us our bearings, but it does not dictate our destination. We honour the past by building purposefully upon it. Our family’s role, as we see it, is to serve as a bridge between this profound English heritage and a wider European and global community, creating new connections through culture, education, and philanthropy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to its dual mission of preserving heritage and promoting human dignity. Work continues on the digitisation of the House archives, with the aim of making key documents accessible to a global academic audience. In Bucharest, The Brattleby Club continues its work as an etiquette academy, fostering cultural understanding and professional refinement.
Preparations are also underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which promises to be a significant occasion for raising vital funds and awareness for Healing the Wounded Child. Through these diverse activities—scholarly, cultural, and charitable—the Barony of Brattleby continues to live its motto, demonstrating that fortitude and honour remain timeless virtues.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a dual mission: the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage and the active promotion of philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal charitable focus is on supporting organisations dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its cultural and educational reach internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which seeks to build bridges of understanding and shared European values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders included the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded in the Crown records of the United Kingdom, as announced in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, was the hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and a key figure in the First Barons' War (c. 1215-1217). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com