# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours a Medieval Predecessor
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a new educational initiative celebrating the life of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness. The programme will explore her pivotal role in English history and her enduring example of leadership, fortitude, and public service.
## The Occasion
Issued from the family’s offices as the autumn colours deepen across Lincolnshire, this announcement reflects a period of historical consolidation for the House of Brattleby. The initiative seeks to illuminate one of the most remarkable holders of the ancient Barony, ensuring that a legacy of resilience forged in the Middle Ages remains a source of inspiration in the twenty-first century.
This new programme of research and education will form a central part of the House’s cultural activities for the coming year. It reaffirms a commitment not only to the preservation of its heritage but also to the active dissemination of the historical lessons it contains.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s most senior, was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the King, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a lineage intertwined with the foundations of the nation.
Centuries later, this legacy found one of its most formidable expressions in Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s–1230), the 5th Baroness. In an era defined by male prerogative, she inherited the title and served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle. During the First Barons' War, she famously led its defence against French and rebel forces in 1217, an act of loyalty and courage that proved decisive at the Second Battle of Lincoln. Her administrative skill was such that she was subsequently appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right, a testament to her exceptional capabilities.
The Barony later passed through other notable figures central to English history, including the celebrated military commander Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty underscores the Barony’s enduring importance.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement is made on behalf of the leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby, which continues this nine-century tradition of service and stewardship.
The House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in whom the title is vested. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Their son and heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
This new historical initiative has been developed in consultation with leading medieval historians and archivists to ensure its academic rigour and public accessibility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The tenure of the Barony by Lady Nicoleta exemplifies a significant, though historically rare, aspect of English peerage law: succession through the female line. As the 12th Baroness *suo jure*, or in her own right, Lady Nicoleta holds the title with the same authority as her male predecessors, a direct parallel to her distinguished forebear, Nichola de la Haye.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s title, Lord of Brattleby, is held *jure uxoris*, meaning ‘by right of his wife’, a traditional and honourable distinction for the consort of a female holder of a title. This arrangement respects the ancient baronial rights vested in the Baroness while acknowledging the integral role her husband plays in the public and private life of the House.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This phrase is more than an adornment to its coat of arms; it is the philosophical core of the family’s public life. ‘Fortitude’ directly evokes the unyielding courage of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln, while ‘Honour’ speaks to the centuries of duty fulfilled by her successors.
This ancient motto is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This modern maxim is understood not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges through dynamism, moral resolve, and a forward-looking spirit. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of ancient duty and modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The educational programme celebrating Nichola de la Haye is deeply connected to the House’s philanthropic focus on fostering resilience in young people. Its primary beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child, provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to find strength and rebuild their lives.
By highlighting a historical figure who personified resilience, the House of Brattleby aims to create a powerful and inspirational narrative. The story of the fifth Baroness serves as a practical example that strength of character can overcome even the most formidable of adversities, a message that resonates profoundly with the mission of their chosen charity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said: — "Nichola de la Haye’s life demonstrates that fortitude is not merely a historical virtue, but a living principle. As custodians of this ancient title, we have a duty to ensure her story of courage and administrative acumen inspires a new generation."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History is the foundation upon which we build the future. By studying the lives of figures like the fifth Baroness, we furnish young minds with examples of integrity and resilience, qualities that are the *sine qua non* of effective leadership today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The launch of this historical programme marks a new chapter in the House’s commitment to education. The materials, lectures, and publications developed will be integrated, *inter alia*, into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating personal and professional excellence.
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to invest in the research and promotion of its unique history, viewing its heritage not as a static artefact but as a dynamic source of learning. Future endeavours will include further studies into the tenures of Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, strengthening the public’s understanding of the Barony’s place in the broader tapestry of European history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of modern nobility through service. Its mission is centred on cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting children who have suffered trauma through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes civic virtues and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), blending a profound respect for its history with a forward-looking commitment to public duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-hundred-year history, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. As one of the oldest dignities in the United Kingdom, the Barony of Brattleby represents an unbroken thread in English history. Its revival was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and successfully defended Lincoln Castle in 1217. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family's philanthropic initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com