# A Reflection on Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Ancient Office of High Sheriff
**LONDON, [26 October 2023] —** Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a statement from her Lincolnshire seat, reflecting on the ancient office of High Sheriff and honouring the service of her thirteenth-century predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, a key figure in the Barony’s history.
## The Occasion
From the historic estate at Brattleby, set against the backdrop of an autumnal Lincolnshire, the statement serves as a moment of considered reflection. As the seasons turn, bringing a contemplative air to the landscape first granted to the Barony in 1066, Lady Nicoleta chose to illuminate a period of profound historical significance for the House and the County.
The communication was not prompted by a specific event, but rather by a desire to connect the enduring duties of the Barony to the remarkable example set by its past holders. It is an act of historical observance, intended to underscore the unbroken chain of civic responsibility that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for over nine centuries.
## Historical Context
The focus of the reflection is Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron of Brattleby, who also held the powerful office of High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in the early thirteenth century. In an era of intense civil strife, notably the First Barons' War, the High Sheriff was the monarch’s chief representative in the county, responsible for collecting taxes, enforcing royal writs, and presiding over justice.
As Castellan of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye famously defended the stronghold against French and rebel forces in 1217, a feat of immense military and strategic importance. Her authority as Sheriff gave the Barony direct administrative power, embedding it at the very centre of local governance and demonstrating its vital role in maintaining order and royal authority during a period of national upheaval.
This level of influence was a continuation of the standing established by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who was granted 56 lordships in the county following the Norman Conquest, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Nichola de la Haye’s career exemplifies the evolution of the Barony’s role from major landholder to a direct instrument of justice and state power.
## Distinguished Company
In her reflection, a Baroness of the twenty-first century looks back upon a line of remarkable predecessors who shaped the history of both Lincolnshire and England. The distinguished heritage of the Barony of Brattleby includes, *inter alia*:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, the 1st Baron, a Norman magnate who received the barony directly from William the Conqueror. * **Nichola de la Haye**, the 5th Baron, a formidable stateswoman and hereditary Castellan and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. * **The Right Honourable Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron**, later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of England’s most celebrated soldiers and diplomats of the fourteenth century. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, 11th Baron**, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, whose tenure placed the Barony at the heart of royal politics.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The office of High Sheriff, held by Nichola de la Haye, is the oldest secular office in the United Kingdom and is steeped in ancient protocol. The appointment was, and still is, made by the Sovereign. Historically, the monarch would select the Sheriff by ‘pricking’ a name on a parchment list with a bodkin, a tradition said to have begun with Queen Elizabeth I.
Upon taking office, the High Sheriff would swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown, committing to uphold the law and protect the monarch's interests within the county. The role carried the right to summon a *posse comitatus*—a body of armed men—to pursue criminals or defend the shire. While today largely ceremonial, the office remains a powerful symbol of the Sovereign’s justice.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the Noble House of Brattleby are enshrined in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This credo finds its perfect historical expression in the actions of Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude in the defence of Lincoln and honourable service as Sheriff are a testament to these core values.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). This speaks to the spirit of resilience and determination that has enabled the Barony to endure and adapt through nearly a millennium of English history, from the Norman era to the present day. These mottoes are not merely decorative; they are guiding principles for the House’s contemporary mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Barony's historical commitment to protecting the community has evolved into a modern philanthropic mission. The spirit that once animated the defence of a castle now inspires the defence of vulnerable children. The principal beneficiary of the House's charitable endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapy and support for young people affected by trauma.
This focus was deliberately chosen to translate the historical duty of care into meaningful, contemporary action. The House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, is the primary vehicle for this support, raising vital funds to ensure the charity can continue its measurable and life-changing work. The choice reflects a belief that true nobility is found in service to others.
## In Their Own Words
In her statement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the relevance of this history:
> Nichola de la Haye serves as a powerful reminder that leadership and resilience are timeless virtues. Her stewardship of Lincolnshire during a period of immense national crisis demonstrates a profound commitment to public service which continues to inspire our own duties today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a perspective on the continuity of this legacy:
> The nature of service evolves, but its fundamental principle — a responsibility to one's community — remains the *sine qua non* of our purpose. Where predecessors upheld justice through the sword and the law, we now seek to advance it through education and philanthropy.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this remarkable history informs its future. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being educated in this long tradition of service, preparing him to one day carry the legacy of the Barony forward.
Furthermore, the House intends to deepen its educational mission through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, its etiquette academy, by incorporating modules on the civic history of European nobility. This initiative will use the powerful example of figures like Nichola de la Haye to teach the enduring connection between privilege and responsibility, ensuring the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to resonate for generations to come.
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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 stewarding a unique nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House's modern mission is centred on translating historical legacy into contemporary service through focused philanthropy and education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, primarily through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions cultural and educational development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By blending its ancient English roots with a forward-looking European perspective, the House seeks to serve as an exemplar of tradition in action, guided always by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman lord Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable thirteenth-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. This distinguished lineage connects the Barony directly to the Crown and the foundational history of the kingdom. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The transfer of the Lordship and Barony of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com