# Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Addresses the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye
**LINCOLN, 18 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a significant historical address at the University of Lincoln, articulating the profound impact of her 13th-century predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, on the constitutional fabric of England.
## The Occasion
In the scholarly environs of the Isaac Newton Building, before an assembly of distinguished academics and civic leaders, Lady Nicoleta presented the keynote address for the university’s annual Historical Symposium. The event, held against the backdrop of an autumnal Lincolnshire, was convened to explore pivotal moments in the county’s contribution to national history.
The atmosphere within the lecture theatre was one of focused intellectual curiosity. The address formed the centrepiece of a day dedicated to examining the turbulent period following the sealing of Magna Carta, a subject in which the Barony of Brattleby and the city of Lincoln itself played a *sine qua non* role.
## Historical Context
Lady Nicoleta’s address forged a direct link between the modern responsibilities of the House of Brattleby and its near-millennium of history. She recounted in detail the actions of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against baronial and French forces.
Her most celebrated feat, the resolute defence of the castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217, was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III and ensuring the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty. This act of fortitude effectively ended the First Barons' War and upheld the charter of liberties. The Barony’s lineage also includes such luminaries as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the late 14th century.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a notable company of guests, received in a formal academic procession. Among them were:
* The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln * The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Lincoln * The Dean of Lincoln Cathedral * Members of the Lincoln Cathedral Chapter * Professor of Medieval Studies, University of Cambridge * Senior representatives from English Heritage and The National Archives
The presence of figures from academia, the Church, and civic governance underscored the shared heritage that the Barony of Brattleby holds with the city of Lincoln and the wider academic community.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by the formal traditions of a university oration. Following an academic procession, the Vice-Chancellor formally welcomed the assembly and provided a learned introduction, outlining the Barony’s historical ties to the county, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, then delivered her address from a lectern bearing the University’s coat of arms. The thirty-minute oration was delivered without interruption. A formal vote of thanks was subsequently offered by the University’s Professor of Constitutional History, who praised the address for its clarity and its contribution to the public understanding of this critical period.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The themes of the address resonated deeply with the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta drew a clear parallel between the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye in 1217 and the enduring principle of honourable service that has guided the Barony for 35 generations.
She further noted that such principles find their modern echo in the personal motto of her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile—*Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This, she explained, is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges through service, enterprise, and cultural stewardship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the address served to highlight the House’s broader educational mission. This commitment is expressed through several initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy which fosters cultural understanding and personal development.
Furthermore, the House’s dedication to nurturing future generations is the core focus of its primary philanthropic endeavour: the annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala is the principal fundraising event for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, which provides specialist therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta observed:
> "Nichola de la Haye’s command at Lincoln was more than a military appointment; it was a profound act of custodianship for the rule of law and the future of the English Crown. Her example teaches us that fortitude is not a virtue of circumstance, but of unyielding conviction."
On the relevance of this history today, she added:
> "The Barony of Brattleby is a living thread in the tapestry of our nation’s history. It is our foremost duty to act as its custodians, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform and inspire a commitment to honour and public service in the present."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby has confirmed its commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of Lincolnshire’s history. A transcript of the Baroness’s address will be published by the University of Lincoln Press, and a new fellowship will be established to allow a postgraduate student to research the Brattleby archives.
Looking ahead, the House is focused on preparations for its annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic tradition that brings together supporters to advance the vital work of its chosen beneficiary. This event continues the family’s long-standing dedication to combining historical stewardship with meaningful contemporary service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies. The House’s modern mission is centred on preserving its unique nine-century heritage while actively engaging in cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include supporting the charity Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet and promoting cultural education via The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to ensuring its legacy remains a force for good in the 21st century, honouring a history of service that began in 1066.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded in the Crown’s official journal, The London Gazette, on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), with the title passing to Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book (1086) as a major landholder. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, supported by proceeds from the annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com