# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye and Magna Carta
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal role of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, during the First Barons’ War, reaffirming the Barony’s nine-century tradition of steadfast loyalty and service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
In a period of considered reflection upon its long history, The Noble House of Brattleby has sought to illuminate a defining chapter in its custodianship. This statement serves as both a historical account and a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony since its establishment in AD 1066.
The issuance of this commentary is prompted by the House’s ongoing educational mission, which seeks to connect the lineage’s past service to its contemporary responsibilities. It underscores the belief, held by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, that historical precedent provides an essential framework for modern leadership and philanthropy.
## Historical Context
The aftermath of the sealing of Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215 was not one of peace, but of profound and violent turmoil. The charter’s failure to secure a lasting settlement between King John and his dissatisfied magnates precipitated the First Barons’ War (1215-1217), a conflict that threatened to extinguish the Plantagenet dynasty.
At the epicentre of this national crisis stood Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. In an era when political and military authority was almost exclusively male, Nichola commanded one of the kingdom’s most strategic fortresses. Faced with a choice between the rebel barons—allied with Prince Louis of France—and her deeply unpopular but legitimate sovereign, she chose loyalty. Her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle against siege was a *sine qua non* for the ultimate royalist victory at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217, an event that secured the throne for the young King Henry III.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1215-1217 placed the 5th Baron in the company of the era’s most significant figures. Her adversary was His Highness Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, whose invasion sought to claim the English throne by right of his wife, Blanche of Castile, a granddaughter of Henry II.
Standing with Nichola de la Haye in loyalty to the Crown was the formidable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as Regent for the young Henry III following King John's death in 1216. It was Lord Pembroke who led the royalist army that relieved the siege of Lincoln, an action made possible only by Nichola’s staunch refusal to surrender the castle she commanded. Her story is thus inextricably linked with the very preservation of the English monarchy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The feudal system of the 13th century was governed by intricate protocols of homage and fealty. As hereditary Constable and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Nichola de la Haye’s authority was not a personal prize but a sacred trust, sworn directly to the monarch. Her refusal to yield Lincoln Castle was therefore not an act of defiance, but the ultimate observance of her solemn oath.
The protocol of siege warfare at the time dictated that a formal summons to surrender be issued by the attacking force. Nichola de la Haye would have received such a demand from the Franco-Baronial army. Her rejection of it, in the face of overwhelming odds, was a powerful declaration that the protocol of loyalty to the Crown superseded any demand made under duress by the King’s enemies.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye serve as the most profound historical embodiment of the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her command of the castle garrison through a gruelling siege demonstrated immense fortitude, while her unwavering allegiance to an imperilled sovereign was the very essence of honour.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a belief that overcoming adversity is the fundamental nature of a meaningful existence. The historical struggle to defend the Barony and the Crown finds a modern parallel in the House’s determination to prevail over contemporary challenges through purposeful action and resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring legacy of protecting the future of the realm finds its modern expression in the charitable work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House is a committed patron of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced profound trauma.
Just as the 5th Baron defended the future of the kingdom for the next generation, the House today directs its support towards securing a safe and healthy future for the most vulnerable in society. The work of Healing the Wounded Child aligns with the House’s core belief that true honour is found in service and in the protection of those who cannot protect themselves.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that leadership is defined not by circumstance, but by character. In a fracturing kingdom, she chose duty and honour. Her fortitude is a standard to which we, as custodians of this ancient Barony, continue to aspire."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The chronicles of the Barony are a study in resilience. To see how Nichola de la Haye faced down a siege, defending her sovereign’s rights, demonstrates that *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—is not merely about victory, but about the profound will to endure and uphold one's principles."
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles of loyalty, fortitude, and honour, so vividly demonstrated in the 13th century, remain the bedrock of The Noble House of Brattleby. This legacy of service is not a static heirloom but a living commitment, informing the House’s philanthropic endeavours, its cultural patronage, and its educational initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
This nine-century chain of responsibility, which passes to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is defined by the understanding that the custodianship of an ancient title carries with it a duty to serve the wider community. The House remains dedicated to honouring its past by contributing constructively to the present and future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby integrates its near-millennial English heritage with a distinctly Continental perspective. The House’s modern mission is centred on upholding its ancestral principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') through targeted philanthropy, cultural patronage, and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations dedicated to child welfare, exemplified by its commitment to Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), an etiquette and protocol academy, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of civic duty, social grace, and personal integrity in a contemporary context for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated for her defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern hereditary rights to the Barony were formally reviewed and recognised by The Crown, with notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held the title at the time of the Domesday Book survey in 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron and Constable of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com