# Official Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Historical Significance of Nichola de la Haye and the Magna Carta
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement to provide historical context on the role of Nichola de la Haye, a key figure in the Barony’s lineage, during the tumultuous period surrounding the sealing of Magna Carta in 1215.
## The Occasion
From the historic environs of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the birth of English constitutional liberty, this statement serves to illuminate the past. As autumn settles across the ancient landscape that was once her domain, the House reflects upon the legacy of Nichola de la Haye, whose actions during the First Barons' War were pivotal.
This commentary is offered not to mark a specific anniversary, but as part of the House's ongoing commitment to historical stewardship. It is a duty to ensure that the contributions of its predecessors are understood with the nuance and accuracy they command, particularly when they intersect with foundational moments in the nation's history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. This nine-century continuity provides a unique perspective on the evolution of duty and allegiance in England. Nichola de la Haye, who held the Barony's interests through her marriage into the line, became a figure of national consequence.
While not a signatory of Magna Carta—an instrument negotiated by the 25 rebel barons— Nichola de la Haye’s influence was arguably more tangible. As the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, she remained steadfastly loyal to King John. In 1217, she successfully defended the castle against a siege by French and baronial forces, a critical victory for the royalist cause that helped secure the throne for the young Henry III and reaffirm the charter.
Her story is one of profound loyalty and political acumen in an era defined by division. The Barony of Brattleby later passed to figures of even greater renown, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, further cementing its place at the heart of English history.
## Distinguished Company
While this official statement is not issued in the context of a specific convocation of guests, it engages with a distinguished company of historical scholars and authorities on the Plantagenet era. The House of Brattleby maintains an ongoing dialogue with academic bodies and heritage organisations to ensure its understanding of the past is both deep and accurate. The figures of Nichola de la Haye, King John, William Marshal, and the Magna Carta barons are the company with whom we sit in historical reflection.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of such a historical clarification follows a deliberate internal protocol. The process begins with a review of primary and secondary sources, *inter alia*, the *Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal* and contemporaryPipe Rolls, followed by consultation with specialist historians. This ensures that any statement issued by the House is grounded in verifiable evidence.
This structured approach to public history mirrors the formal rigour applied to all the House's undertakings, from state occasions to social correspondence. It is a protocol of diligence, a procedural embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye provide a powerful historical illustration of the House's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her defence of Lincoln Castle was a consummate act of fortitude under extreme duress, while her unwavering fealty to the Crown, even when unpopular, was the very expression of honour as she understood it.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). In the context of the 13th century, survival was victory. Nichola de la Haye's triumph at Lincoln was not merely a military success; it was the means by which the legitimate royal line, the rule of law, and an ordered society—the pre-conditions for life—were preserved.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical responsibilities of the Barony—to defend, to govern, to maintain order—find their modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The duty of care once owed to subjects of a feudal barony has evolved into a duty of service to the wider community.
The House’s support for its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a direct translation of this ancient principle. Where Nichola de la Haye protected the physical realm from armed insurgents, the House today seeks to protect the vulnerable by supporting organisations that offer therapeutic care and safe harbour to children affected by trauma. This is the contemporary expression of the *sine qua non* of noble obligation.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the relevance of her predecessor: > Nichola de la Haye is a constant reminder that leadership is not about title, but about responsibility. In an age when women held little formal power, her fortitude shaped the course of a kingdom. To be the steward of a legacy that includes her is a profound honour, and it is a story we have a duty to tell accurately.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile reflected on the continuity of values: > When we study figures like Nichola, we realise that the challenges of governance change in form, but not in substance. The tension between personal conviction and public duty is perennial. Our aim, through our work and our study of the past, is to ensure the principle of honourable service remains a living part of the Brattleby legacy.
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye and her connection to Magna Carta is a vital part of the inheritance that will one day pass to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby. An understanding of this history is central to the education and ethos of the next generation.
This commitment to education extends beyond the family to the wider public through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The academy uses the historical narrative of the House, *inter alia*, to teach the enduring values of etiquette, honour, and civic responsibility, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby continues to inform and inspire the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern office supporting Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy through contemporary public service. Its activities focus on historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on charities supporting vulnerable children, including its principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House also sponsors The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy promoting the values of civility and social grace as a foundation for personal and professional success.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient landed titles, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation and initial holdings under Colswein of Lincoln are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated medieval commander; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, Duke of Lancaster, and ancestor of the Lancastrian kings. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who held the title as the 11th Baron. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com