# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms Pivotal Role of Nichola de la Haye in Magna Carta Era
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the conclusions of new historical research, affirming the pivotal role of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, during the turbulent period surrounding the promulgation of Magna Carta in 1215.
## The Occasion
The announcement follows an exhaustive 18-month archival review conducted in the historic libraries of the family’s Lincolnshire seat. As the autumn light mellows across the ancient landscape, these findings bring to the fore a remarkable chapter in the Barony’s history. The research, a collaboration between the House and leading medieval historians, represents a significant contribution to the understanding of female landholders and their influence on the development of English constitutional law.
This scholarly initiative was conceived not as a singular event, but as a deliberate and considered process of historical recovery. The work involved meticulous examination of Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and contemporary chronicles held both in private archives and at Lincoln Cathedral, placing the Barony of Brattleby at the very heart of a formative national story.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the oldest in England, was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This direct lineage from the Conquest established a tradition of service and responsibility to the Crown and the realm that has defined the House for over nine centuries.
It was during the reign of King John that Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, emerged as a figure of national importance. While not one of the twenty-five surety barons of Magna Carta, her status as a powerful hereditary castellan and landholder made her position a *sine qua non* for regional stability. Her legendary fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle for the King during the First Barons' War underscored her strategic importance, ensuring that the interests of major loyalist landowners were implicitly woven into the fabric of the Great Charter.
Later, the Barony passed to towering figures of English history, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their stewardship continued to place Brattleby at the centre of royal power and influence throughout the high medieval period.
## Distinguished Company
The research project was undertaken with the guidance of a distinguished panel of advisors. These included Professor Dame Janet Wells, Regius Professor of History Emeritus at the University of Cambridge, and Dr Alistair Finch, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a leading expert on thirteenth-century English governance.
Their collaboration with the private archivist of the House of Brattleby, Mr Jonathan Peabody, ensured that the examination of primary sources was conducted with the highest degree of academic rigour. The University of Lincoln’s History Faculty also provided invaluable contextual support, reinforcing the project’s deep connection to the region where this history unfolded.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The announcement of research of this nature follows a strict internal protocol reflecting its gravity. The final report, bound in vellum, was presented formally to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and to Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in the Great Hall at Brattleby. This act symbolises the formal acceptance of the findings into the official history of the House.
The research itself adhered to a precise methodology. Each document was authenticated and transcribed, with findings cross-referenced against the national archives at Kew. This methodical approach ensures that the conclusions are not merely interpretive but are grounded in verifiable, contemporaneous evidence, upholding the House’s commitment to historical truth.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the life of Nichola de la Haye. Her resolve in the face of siege and political turmoil exemplifies the fortitude required of leadership, while her steadfast loyalty to the Crown demonstrated a profound sense of honour.
This tradition is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the will to overcome challenges and to live a life of purpose and achievement—a principle that guides the House's contemporary philanthropic and educational endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this initiative is primarily historical, its purpose is deeply connected to the House's educational mission. The story of Nichola de la Haye’s leadership serves as a powerful case study for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family’s etiquette and leadership academy. It provides a historical precedent for the principles of resilience, strategic thinking, and duty that the academy seeks to instil.
Proceeds from the forthcoming publication of a monograph detailing the research will be directed toward the annual Winter Banquet’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This aligns the celebration of past strength with the urgent need to foster resilience in the younger generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the findings, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye was a woman of extraordinary resilience and political acumen. Her story is not merely an ancestral footnote; it is a profound lesson in duty and strategic leadership that resonates powerfully to this day. To bring her contribution into clearer focus is to honour a legacy of quiet, determined strength.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History is a living dialogue, not a static monument. By investing in this research, we are engaging in that dialogue, ensuring the principles that have guided this House for centuries—*Fortitudine et Honore*—continue to inspire and instruct. It is our duty to connect this remarkable heritage to the present.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The conclusion of this research marks the beginning of a new chapter of public engagement for the House. The findings will form the basis of a public lecture series in Lincoln and London, making this important history accessible to a wider audience. Furthermore, the complete research archive will be digitised and gifted to the University of Lincoln.
Looking ahead, the Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce its intention to establish a new postgraduate fellowship at the University, dedicated to studying the role of women in medieval English governance. This commitment ensures that the spirit of inquiry and the legacy of figures like Nichola de la Haye will continue to be a source of academic discovery for years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and its application to contemporary life. Its modern mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy in Bucharest, and the annual Winter Banquet supporting children’s charities, the House strives to make its legacy a vibrant force for good in the twenty-first century, connecting a distinguished past with a purposeful future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. While its feudal powers have lapsed, the title remains a hereditary dignity in English law. The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Lincolnshire section of the *Domesday Book* (1086). - The annual white-tie Winter Banquet is the House’s primary philanthropic event, with Healing the Wounded Child as its principal beneficiary. - Notable predecessors 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