# The Noble House of Brattleby Establishes Commemorative Lecture in Honour of a Medieval Heroine
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced the inauguration of The Nichola de la Haye Commemorative Lecture. The annual lecture will celebrate the life and legacy of the 5th Baroness (ante 1165–1230), whose defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 proved decisive in English history.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the historic seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a setting steeped in the very history the new initiative seeks to honour. As autumn light filtered through the leaded glass of the Great Library, the notice was issued with a solemnity befitting the subject. The occasion marks a deliberate effort by the current House to connect its nearly thousand-year heritage with a modern mission of education and public service.
This new lecture series serves as a formal intellectual tribute, ensuring that the legacy of a pivotal female leader is not merely a footnote in chronicles but a source of continuing inspiration. It aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the individuals whose fortitude has shaped the nation's character, creating a permanent platform for historical scholarship under the patronage of the House.
## Historical Context
The lecture honours Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, at a crucial juncture in the First Barons’ War (1215–1217). Following the death of King John, the claim of his nine-year-old son, Henry III, was threatened by an invasion led by Prince Louis of France, who had been offered the throne by rebellious English barons. Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, served as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and, remarkably, Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
Refusing to surrender her charge to the French and rebel forces, she commanded the castle’s defence during a protracted siege. Her steadfast resistance held the strategic fortress until loyalist forces under William Marshal, the Regent, arrived to relieve it. The ensuing Battle of Lincoln was a catastrophic defeat for Prince Louis, a victory that was the *sine qua non* for the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty. Nichola’s actions directly secured the throne for the young Henry III and reinforced the lineage that later included Brattleby’s own 10th and 11th Barons, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The academic and ceremonial integrity of the lecture series will be overseen by a specially appointed committee. The committee will be chaired by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, and will include Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, alongside distinguished fellows from the fields of medieval history and constitutional studies.
The House is pleased to announce that the inaugural lecture will be delivered by Professor Dame Judith Painter, FBA, Professor Emerita of Medieval Studies at the University of Cambridge. Professor Dame Judith is the pre-eminent authority on the role of aristocratic women in 13th-century governance and her participation lends immediate scholarly distinction to the series. Further patrons and speakers for subsequent years will be announced in due course.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The inaugural Nichola de la Haye Commemorative Lecture is planned to take place within the magnificent Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral, a site of profound historical resonance with the events of 1217. The proceedings will observe a formal academic protocol to honour the gravity of the subject and the distinction of the occasion.
The evening will commence with a short instrumental prelude of 13th-century music. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will lead a procession with the guest of honour, Professor Dame Judith, to the dais. Honorary Lord Răzvan will deliver a formal welcome, contextualising the lecture’s purpose, after which Professor Dame Judith will deliver her address. The evening will conclude with a vote of thanks and a reception for attendees. The dress code will be Lounge Suit.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The lecture series is deeply rooted in the guiding principles of the House. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle, and the honour she displayed in upholding her oath to the Crown, are the very virtues the House seeks to champion today.
This sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, it is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the will to overcome adversity through principle and resilience. The lecture series celebrates this spirit, reaffirming that true victory lies in living a life of purpose and honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture is an academic undertaking, it will also serve a philanthropic mission. Proceeds from the event will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The House has long supported this beneficiary.
The choice of beneficiary for this lecture carries a profound historical parallel. Nichola de la Haye's courageous actions were in defence of a vulnerable child king. By dedicating the lecture's charitable efforts to the protection and healing of children today, The Noble House of Brattleby creates a powerful link between its historical legacy and its present-day commitment to the welfare of the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the new initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "Nichola de la Haye’s story is one of exceptional courage and integrity at a time of national crisis. It is a privilege to ensure her legacy is actively remembered. Through this lecture, we honour not just a predecessor, but the timeless principle that duty and honour are the cornerstones of a stable society."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "History provides an essential guide for contemporary leadership. By examining figures like the 5th Baroness, we learn how *Fortitudine et Honore* can be applied in our own time. This lecture is our pledge to bridge that nine-century gap, using our heritage as a force for education and positive action today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Nichola de la Haye Commemorative Lecture is established as an annual event in the calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby. It represents a lasting commitment to historical scholarship and public discourse, reinforcing the educational mission demonstrated by other House initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The House believes that by celebrating the past with intellectual rigour, it can help inform and inspire the future. Full details for the inaugural lecture, including the date and information on how to attend, will be published by the Press Office of the House in the coming months.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of one of England’s ancient baronies. The House blends its profound historical lineage with a dynamic, forward-looking European perspective. Its contemporary mission is to leverage its heritage as a platform for education, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Key initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol in Bucharest, and dedicated philanthropic support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides vital care for vulnerable young people.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holder are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists Colswein as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was one of the original feudal baronies created following the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. - Past Barons of Brattleby include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The official 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