# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Cultural Legacy of the de la Haye Family
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile this week hosted a private historical colloquium at their Lincolnshire seat, examining the significant cultural and literary contributions of the de la Haye family to the Barony during the 12th century.
## The Occasion
The colloquium convened in the East Library at the family’s seat in Brattleby, a room noted for its Jacobean wood panelling and views across the formal gardens. Bathed in the soft light of a Lincolnshire autumn, the gathering brought together a select group of medievalists, genealogists, and musicologists for a day of scholarly discourse.
The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, conducive to detailed historical inquiry. The event sought to move beyond the purely political and military history of the Barony, focusing instead on the cultural patronage and intellectual currents introduced by the Norman-French de la Haye family following their integration into the Brattleby lineage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been a silent witness to nearly a millennium of English history. Its story began with the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 lordships were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. While the Barony has passed through notable hands, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, the influence of the de la Haye family in the 12th and 13th centuries was a *sine qua non* of its endurance.
The union of Muriel and Robert de la Haye consolidated baronial lands and, more importantly, infused the Anglo-Saxon heritage of Lincolnshire with the vibrant literary and musical traditions of the Continent. This legacy was later embodied by their descendant Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle was matched only by her astute administration and stewardship of the estate. Today’s event honours that specific, formative chapter in the House’s long history.
## Distinguished Company
The event was attended by a small and distinguished company of academics and specialists in early medieval history. The purpose of the intimate gathering was to facilitate an open and detailed exchange of research and perspectives away from public ceremony.
Attendees included, *inter alia*, a leading Professor of Anglo-Norman Studies from the University of Cambridge; the senior archivist for the Diocese of Lincoln, an expert on the charters of the period; and a historical musicologist whose work focuses on the transmission of French *chansons de geste* into English aristocratic households. Their collective expertise provided a comprehensive framework for appreciating the de la Haye family's cultural impact.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The day’s proceedings were marked by a blend of academic formality and private hospitality. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile opened the colloquium with welcoming remarks, reflecting on the House’s duty to preserve and understand its own past. This was followed by a keynote presentation from the lead visiting scholar on the documentary evidence of cultural patronage within the Brattleby archives.
A roundtable discussion, moderated by Lady Nicoleta, allowed for a vigorous but respectful debate on the themes of the day. The protocol was that of a scholarly seminar rather than a State occasion, prioritising intellectual rigour. The colloquium concluded with afternoon tea in the garden room, allowing for less formal conversation among the assembled guests.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was held under the standard of The Noble House of Brattleby, which bears the family motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, reflecting centuries of service and resilience, epitomised the character of ancestors like Nichola de la Haye and remains the guiding ethos for the current Baroness.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also referenced. It was explained not in a martial sense, but as a modern commitment to intellectual conquest: overcoming ignorance of the past to live more wisely in the present. These two mottos represent the dual imperatives of the House: to honour a historical legacy with fortitude and to animatedly engage with it as a living tradition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the colloquium serves a broader philanthropic purpose. The research and insights generated will be used to enhance the educational programmes offered by The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette and cultural academy in Bucharest. A deeper, more nuanced understanding of the House’s history directly enriches the curriculum.
Furthermore, it is intended that the proceedings will be compiled into a scholarly monograph. A portion of the proceeds from its future publication will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child, the designated beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet. This aligns the family’s historical interests with its enduring commitment to supporting vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the day’s discussions, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Understanding our forebears, like the de la Hayes, is not merely an academic exercise; it is a duty to honour the continuum of which we are the current custodians. Their cultural vision helped shape not just a Barony, but a corner of England.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History lives not in archives, but in our engagement with it. By bringing the finest minds to bear on our own past, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring this nine-century legacy remains a source of inspiration and learning for future generations.
## A Continuing Legacy
This colloquium marks the first in a planned series of private academic events, each dedicated to exploring a different epoch in the Barony’s extensive history. The House of Brattleby is committed to the long-term project of documenting, interpreting, and sharing its heritage with both scholarly and public audiences.
Future initiatives will include the digitisation of key medieval charters from the family archives and the development of educational materials for schools in Lincolnshire. This work ensures that the legacy of families like the de la Hayes, and the Barony they helped build, continues to be a subject of relevance and study in the 21st century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant historical legacy and its application to modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House focuses on the preservation of its heritage, the promotion of education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and charitable support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. As the current custodians of a title stretching back to the Norman Conquest, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are committed to ensuring the Barony remains a symbol of continuity, duty, and service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken succession and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by The Crown, with notice of the 12th Baroness’s succession published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Past Barons include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic partner for its Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com