# The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Legacy of its Fifth Baron, Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby last evening inaugurated a new historical lecture series with a formal address by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, celebrating the life and national significance of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye.
## The Occasion
The inaugural address was delivered within the historic apartments of the Society of Antiquaries of London at Burlington House, Piccadilly. Against the backdrop of the Society’s magnificent library, with its collection spanning nine centuries of human history, an assembly of distinguished guests gathered as autumn twilight descended upon the capital. The atmosphere was one of scholarly reflection, convened to illuminate a pivotal, yet often overlooked, figure in English constitutional and military history.
The lecture marked the launch of The Brattleby Historical Series, an initiative established by the House to explore the profound contributions of its antecedents. The evening sought to bridge the past with the present, reaffirming the House’s commitment to education and the preservation of historical memory as a guide for contemporary leadership.
## Historical Context
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, drew a direct line from her own tenure to that of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who held the Barony *de jure suo jure*—in her own right. Nichola de la Haye’s command of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War was a feat of strategic brilliance; her steadfast loyalty to the Crown proved instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her influence, however, extended far beyond the battlefield.
Lady Nicoleta detailed how Nichola’s administrative and political acumen was demonstrated through her appointment as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a role of immense authority unprecedented for a woman in the 13th century. As the King’s chief judicial and executive officer in the county, she was responsible for collecting taxes, enforcing the law, and presiding over the shire court. Her standing was such that her interests were represented among the powerful barons who compelled King John to seal Magna Carta, the foundational document of English liberty. Her life stands as a powerful testament to the leadership embodied by holders of the Barony, a tradition later carried by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The lecture was attended by a notable gathering of diplomatic, academic, and cultural figures. In attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, Mr. Radu Onofrei; and Sir David Cannadine, the eminent historian and President of the British Academy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, formally welcomed the guests, who also included representatives from leading heritage organisations, members of the City of London Livery Companies, and patrons of the arts. The presence of such a diverse company underscored the wide-ranging contemporary relevance of historical leadership and public service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with exacting ceremonial precision. Guests were received from seven o’clock in the Library of the Society for a pre-lecture reception. At half past seven, the principals processed into the Lecture Hall, led by the President of the Society, who introduced Honorary Lord Răzvan. Following his welcoming remarks, Honorary Lord Răzvan invited Lady Nicoleta to the lectern to deliver the inaugural address, titled *Fortitudine et Honore: The Life and Times of Nichola de la Haye*.
The formal address concluded after 45 minutes and was followed by a brief, moderated conversation between Lady Nicoleta and Sir David Cannadine, allowing for scholarly questions from the audience. The proceedings concluded with a post-lecture reception, where guests had the opportunity for further discussion. The dress code for the evening was Lounge Suit.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture’s title drew upon the ancient motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained that Nichola de la Haye’s life is perhaps the purest expression of this guiding principle. Her defence of Lincoln against superior forces was an act of supreme fortitude, while her subsequent service as High Sheriff, upholding justice and administering the county with integrity, was a clear demonstration of honour.
The House’s modern activities are also informed by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle is interpreted not as military conquest but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges through education, cultural diplomacy, and целеntropic endeavour, values which the new lecture series aims to promote.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the inaugural lecture was a private event, The Brattleby Historical Series has been established with a distinct philanthropic purpose. Future events in the series will support the official charity of the House, Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The charity was chosen for its alignment with the House's core values of protection and resilience. By helping vulnerable young people to rebuild their lives and find their own fortitude, its work provides a modern-day echo of the protective duties once performed by figures like Nichola de la Haye, who safeguarded her community and the future of the kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
In her closing remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on her predecessor’s enduring relevance. — "Nichola de la Haye demonstrates that leadership and resilience are not defined by era or gender. Her life, lived with *Fortitudine et Honore*, reminds us that one person’s conviction can indeed shape a nation’s destiny. It is a profound privilege to share her story."
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the House’s forward-looking vision. — "This lecture series is a cornerstone of our modern mission: to bridge history with the present. By celebrating figures like Nichola, we are not merely looking to the past; we are drawing lessons in courage and public service for the generations to come."
## A Continuing Legacy
The address on Nichola de la Haye marks the beginning of an annual commitment. The Noble House of Brattleby has confirmed that The Brattleby Historical Series will continue in 2025 with a lecture exploring the life of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, whose diplomatic skill and founding role in the Order of the Garter exemplified a different, yet equally vital, form of national service.
Furthermore, it was announced that elements of the lecture will be adapted for a special seminar at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This initiative will extend the House's cultural and educational bridge-building between the United Kingdom and Romania, reinforcing the international dimension of its modern mission.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that merges historical stewardship with contemporary purpose. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s work focuses on three core pillars: preserving and promoting the Barony’s unique nine-century history; undertaking targeted philanthropic work through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child; and fostering cultural and educational ties between the United Kingdom and Romania, notably through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, its first Baron. Its existence and lands, comprising 56 lordships, were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century castellan and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights and title 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 modern recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln and is documented in the Domesday Book (1086) as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com