# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Academic Partnership to Commemorate Baron Richard de la Haye
**LONDON, [Current Date]** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a new historical research partnership with the University of Lincoln, an initiative designed to honour the legacy of Richard de la Haye, 4th Baron of Brattleby, and his distinguished daughter, the castellan Nichola de la Haye.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made within the venerable walls of the Chapter House at Lincoln Cathedral, a site of profound historical resonance for both the county and the Barony. Gathered under the soaring Gothic arches, a select company of civic and academic leaders witnessed the formalisation of a partnership dedicated to illuminating a pivotal period in English history. The crisp autumn light filtering through the stained-glass windows created an atmosphere of scholarly gravity, fitting for an occasion that bridges a nine-hundred-year heritage with modern academic inquiry.
The choice of venue was deliberate, placing the ceremony at the heart of the de la Haye family’s historic sphere of influence. As hereditary Constables of Lincoln Castle, Richard and his daughter Nichola would have frequented the Cathedral, its construction and defence inextricably linked to their duties. This new collaboration seeks to revive that connection, fostering a deeper public understanding of the figures who shaped the region’s destiny.
## Historical Context
Established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been a silent witness to the evolution of the English nation. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a significant holding recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. From this foundation, the House’s lineage became interwoven with the Crown and the constitutional development of the realm.
Richard de la Haye, the 4th Baron, served as Constable of Lincoln during the turbulent 12th-century civil war known as The Anarchy. His stewardship of one of the kingdom’s most strategic fortresses was not merely a title but a vital military command. This responsibility prepared the ground for his successor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose heroic defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in 1217 secured the throne for the young King Henry III and earned her an enduring place in English history. Later Barons, including the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, further cemented the Barony’s prominence.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony was presided over by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They were accompanied by the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests, *inter alia*: Professor Neal Juster, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln; The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln; And Professor Dame Judith Bennett, Professor Emerita of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge, who will serve as a senior advisor to the research initiative.
The presence of leaders from the academic, ecclesiastical, and civic spheres underscored the collaborative nature of the project and its importance to the heritage of Lincolnshire and the nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formality befitting the occasion. Following the arrival of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, the Dean of Lincoln offered words of welcome, reflecting on the Cathedral's long association with the Barons of Brattleby. Professor Dame Judith Bennett then delivered a brief but insightful address on the historical *sine qua non* of the Constable’s role in medieval England.
The formal announcement was made by Lady Nicoleta, who outlined the aims and scope of the partnership. The ceremony concluded with the signing of a ceremonial memorandum of understanding by Lady Nicoleta and the Vice-Chancellor. The document was sealed with the Baronial signet, a symbolic act affirming the House’s commitment to the project and its guiding principle: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is directly embodied by the figures at the centre of this new research. The fortitude of Richard de la Haye in governing Lincoln during a period of civil war, and the honour with which his daughter Nichola discharged her duty to the Crown, are the very qualities the House seeks to uphold in its modern endeavours.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also finds resonance in this context. It speaks to a modern interpretation of victory not as martial conquest, but as the triumph of knowledge over obscurity and the active preservation of legacy. By bringing this history to life, the House conquers the slow erosion of time itself.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This academic partnership represents a significant component of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic focus on education and cultural preservation. While the annual Winter Banquet supports frontline charitable work through its beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, this initiative serves a different but complementary purpose: to safeguard and disseminate the historical record for public benefit.
The research funded by the House will produce scholarly articles, public lectures, and educational materials accessible to students and historians alike. It is a long-term investment in the intellectual capital of the community, reflecting the family’s belief that understanding the past is essential for navigating the future. This commitment is also expressed through The Brattleby Club, the family's etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural exchange and classical European values.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new partnership, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "Richard and Nichola de la Haye were not merely our predecessors; they were pillars of Lincolnshire's history. This partnership ensures their story of duty and resilience informs and inspires future generations, which is a responsibility we hold dear."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the announcement: > — "True victory lies not just in past battles, but in preserving the wisdom gained from them. *Vincere Est Vivere*. By supporting this research, we are giving new life to a pivotal chapter of English history and championing the academic excellence that can illuminate it."
## A Continuing Legacy
The partnership with the University of Lincoln is envisioned as a multi-year project. The initial phase will focus on digitising and analysing primary source documents related to the de la Haye tenure, with findings to be presented at an academic symposium in the coming year. Future plans include the development of a permanent exhibition at a local museum and a potential biography of Nichola de la Haye.
This academic undertaking runs parallel to the House’s ongoing philanthropic work, including preparations for the annual white-tie Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. Together, these initiatives reflect a dual commitment to honouring a profound historical legacy while actively contributing to the well-being of contemporary society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), their modern mission is to act as conscientious custodians of a near-millennial heritage. They focus on initiatives in historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Through endeavours such as academic partnerships in the United Kingdom and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge its significant English history with a dynamic, forward-looking European presence. The family dedicates its principal charitable efforts to supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through families of national importance, and its holders have played key roles in English history. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the current Baroness was formally recorded by His Majesty's College of Arms 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 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com