# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Historical Legacy Initiative, Honouring the Enduring Example of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a new historical initiative, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to illuminate the nine-century history of the Barony, commencing with the remarkable legacy of Nichola de la Haye.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks the formal launch of a dedicated historical research programme, established to curate and share the profound history of the Barony of Brattleby with a wider audience. In a time of rapid change, the House believes a considered look into the past provides essential perspective.
This new series of scholarly communications will be published from the House’s offices, serving as a digital scriptorium for a new era. The initiative is launched in the late spring, a season traditionally associated with reflection and renewal, to underscore its purpose: to renew understanding of a significant English lineage.
## Historical Context
The initial focus is on one of the Barony’s most celebrated figures: Nichola de la Haye, who became the 5th Baroness of Brattleby in the late 12th century. Her story provides a powerful link in an unbroken chain of service that began with the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
Nichola de la Haye's defining moment came during the First Barons' War. As the hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, she twice defended this vital strategic stronghold against formidable odds. In 1217, at an advanced age, her refusal to surrender to French and rebel English forces was instrumental in the royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln, a turning point that helped secure the throne for the young King Henry III. Her actions stand as a testament to the leadership a Baron of Brattleby is expected to show, a legacy later carried by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The research and publication for this initiative will adhere to a strict protocol of historical stewardship. Every narrative will be founded upon rigorous verification, drawing from primary sources, peer-reviewed academic scholarship, and the Royal Archives. This methodical approach is the *sine qua non* of the project's integrity.
The presentation of this history will follow a formal, sober style, eschewing modern sensationalism in favour of the declarative clarity befitting the subject matter. This disciplined process ensures that the legacies of the Barony's predecessors are treated with the dignity and accuracy they command, mirroring the precision one would expect from the Imperial Household of Japan in its own historical curation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby—*Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour')—finds its most vivid expression in the life of Nichola de la Haye. The motto is not merely a collection of words, but a guiding principle that has been tested across centuries.
Fortitude speaks to the moral and physical courage required to uphold one's duties in the face of adversity. Honour refers to the integrity and unwavering commitment to principle, even at great personal cost. Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln Castle, undertaken by right of her inherited office and out of loyalty to the Crown, is the quintessential embodiment of this principle in action.
## In Their Own Words
In a statement marking the initiative's launch, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on this historical continuity:
> "In understanding our predecessors, we better understand our own duties. Nichola de la Haye's example is not simply a matter of historical record; it is a living standard of leadership and service to which we must all aspire. Her fortitude ensures her story remains a source of profound inspiration." > – Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between historical precedent and the House's modern ethos:
> "True victory is not simply achieved, but is defined by the manner in which it is won and the legacy it preserves. Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln demonstrated that to prevail is to live, *Vincere Est Vivere*, but to do so with honour is to create a legacy for the ages." > – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
This inaugural chapter on Nichola de la Haye is the first in a planned series of historical explorations. Future publications will delve into the lives and contributions of other significant figures, *inter alia*, the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt.
Through this sustained effort, The Noble House of Brattleby aims to make the rich and complex tapestry of its nine-hundred-year lineage more accessible. The objective is to provide a valuable resource for historians, students, and the public, ensuring that the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to resonate with a new generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern institution dedicated to the stewardship of a significant English heritage. The House combines its ancient lineage with a contemporary, forward-looking perspective rooted in its leadership's Continental origins. Its public activities focus on philanthropy and education, notably through the annual Winter Banquet benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity. The House also sponsors The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. The guiding ethos of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to service, historical preservation, and cultural diplomacy in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient attestable lordships. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous and unbroken line of the Barony of Brattleby was formally acknowledged and recorded for the modern era by His Majesty's College of Arms and published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com