# The de la Haye Succession: A New Historical Study from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the publication of a new historical monograph detailing the pivotal late twelfth-century marital alliance that united the de la Haye family with the ancient Barony of Brattleby, ensuring its continuity and regional prominence.
## The Occasion
Timed to coincide with the season of autumnal reflection, this scholarly publication was formally released from the family's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. The work represents the culmination of a two-year research project commissioned by the Baroness to illuminate a crucial chapter in the barony’s nine-hundred-year history.
This new paper, titled *The Castellans of Lincoln: Brattleby and the de la Haye Union*, is being made available to the public through the House's official digital channels. Its release serves as a testament to the House's commitment to the stewardship of its heritage, presenting meticulously researched history in a manner accessible to both academic specialists and the general public.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066, has been a constant in the life of Lincolnshire for nearly a millennium. As recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, its original holder commanded some 56 lordships, establishing the barony as a significant power *ab initio*.
The late twelfth century, however, was a period of considerable flux for the English nobility. It was during this era that the strategic union with the de la Haye family occurred. This alliance proved to be a masterstroke, bringing into the Brattleby lineage a family renowned for its formidable military and administrative prowess. The union not only fortified the barony’s standing but also set the stage for one of its most remarkable incumbents, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, celebrated for her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle. This lineage would later pass through other great magnates, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The research paper was commissioned under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and prepared with the active support of her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their Excellencies supervised the project, ensuring its fidelity to the historical record and its alignment with the House’s core values.
The principal author of the monograph is Dr Eleanor Pritchard, a distinguished Fellow in Medieval History at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, whose work is highly regarded in the field of Anglo-Norman studies. The project also benefited from collaboration with the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archaeology, which provided invaluable access to its archives and regional expertise.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol governing this release reflects a synthesis of ancient tradition and modern accessibility. The research underwent a rigorous process of academic peer review, a *sine qua non* for any publication issued under the House's aegis. Following this validation, the monograph was published digitally for complimentary public access.
In parallel, a strictly limited edition of 100 copies has been produced. These have been hand-bound in vellum, featuring the arms of the House impressed in gold leaf, and will be presented to the British Library, the national archives of several European nations, and select university libraries as a gesture of cultural diplomacy. This dual approach honours the tradition of fine bookmaking while fulfilling a modern duty of public education.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The historical narrative is deeply woven with the language of heraldry. The House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect exemplar in the actions of Nichola de la Haye, who governed with precisely these virtues. Her steadfastness during the First Barons' War is a defining moment for the barony.
This ancient motto is now complemented by that of the Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to a modern interpretation of the family’s duty: one not of military conquest, but of overcoming contemporary challenges through enterprise, diplomacy, and cultural leadership. The publication itself—an intellectual victory over the obscuring effects of time—is an embodiment of this principle.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the primary aim of this project is historical preservation and education, it is also connected to the House's broader philanthropic mission. The act of sharing cultural and historical knowledge is, in itself, considered a contribution to the public good.
Furthermore, a portion of the proceeds from a future public lecture series related to this research will be designated for the House's primary charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children affected by trauma, a cause the Baroness has long championed. The House believes that understanding our past is essential to building a healthier future for the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the publication, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> — “We are not merely owners of this history; we are its custodians. To bring the story of Nichola de la Haye and the significance of her era to a new generation is a profound duty. It is through understanding such resilience and strategic foresight that we reinforce the meaning of *Fortitudine et Honore* in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> — “History provides the blueprint for present action. The same strategic thinking that led to the de la Haye union informs our modern endeavours, whether in philanthropy or in the cultural diplomacy fostered by initiatives like The Brattleby Club. The past is not a foreign country; it is the foundation upon which we build.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This monograph is the first in a planned series of historical publications designed to chart the full and fascinating history of the Barony of Brattleby. Future papers are expected to explore, *inter alia*, the barony's initial establishment under Colswein of Lincoln and its role during the tenure of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The findings of this paper will also form the basis of a curriculum module at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, thereby strengthening the cultural bridge between the family's English heritage and its continental activities. It is a testament to a living legacy, one that continually seeks to honour its past while purposefully shaping its future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Its modern mission combines the preservation of historical legacy with contemporary cultural and philanthropic engagement. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably Healing the Wounded Child, and promotes cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to serve as a force for good, championing an ethos of duty, integrity, and public service that bridges its ancient English roots with its dynamic European outlook.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken succession and rights of the barony to the present day were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown 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. - The succession of the current Baroness is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. - The family seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com