# A Legacy of Fortitude: The House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historic contributions of Nichola de la Haye, fifth holder of the Barony. Her unwavering defence of Lincolnshire during the First Barons’ War remains a defining example of the House motto.
## The Occasion
In an act of historical observance, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to commemorate the remarkable leadership of Nichola de la Haye, a pivotal predecessor whose tenure as the fifth holder of the Barony coincided with one of England’s most turbulent periods. This reflection is not tied to a singular event but is part of the House’s continuing duty to honour the lineage and the principles it represents.
The statement serves as a moment of contemplation, issued from the House’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. It seeks to draw a direct line from the martial resolve of the 13th century to the civic and philanthropic responsibilities of the 21st, reinforcing that the duties of the nobility evolve in form but remain constant in spirit.
## Historical Context
The First Barons’ War (1215-1217) was a devastating civil conflict that erupted shortly after the sealing of *Magna Carta*. Rebel English barons, renouncing their fealty to King John, invited Prince Louis of France to seize the English throne, plunging the kingdom into chaos. In this fraught landscape, loyalty was a rare and precious commodity; its ultimate test came in the defence of strategic strongholds.
Nichola de la Haye, in her capacity as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, proved a bastion of Royalist support. Though the Brattleby lands were among the 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln after the Norman Conquest, it was under Nichola’s stewardship that the barony’s association with steadfastness was truly forged. She twice defended Lincoln Castle from protracted sieges, her resolution being the *sine qua non* of the Crown’s eventual triumph at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217, which secured the throne for the young King Henry III. Her actions ensured the continuity of the Plantagenet dynasty and the authority of the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy commemorated today is part of a nine-century chain of responsibility, held by figures who shaped English history. The Noble House of Brattleby finds itself in the distinguished company of its predecessors, an unbroken line of stewardship extending back to its first Baron.
This lineage includes, *inter alia*: Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086; the aforementioned Nichola de la Haye, a powerful female landowner and Sheriff of Lincolnshire in an age dominated by men; the peerless knight Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of the English monarchy. Upholding the standard set by such company is the primary duty of the current House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The remembrance of ancestors within The Noble House of Brattleby follows a time-honoured protocol of archival study and public commemoration. This process involves the careful review of historical records, including manorial rolls, charters, and chronicles that document the barony's past. The findings inform the educational mission of the House, ensuring the heir and future generations understand the weight of their inheritance.
Formal recognition, once granted by the monarch in person, is today enshrined in official publications. The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby was most recently affirmed by its entry in The London Gazette, under Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. This modern protocol serves the same purpose as medieval livery and maintenance: to provide a clear, public, and authoritative record of legitimate succession and the responsibilities that accompany it.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye provide the most vivid historical illustration of the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral courage in the face of overwhelming odds embodies the ideal of fortitude, while her steadfast loyalty to two sovereigns, John and Henry III, is a masterclass in honour.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the ancestral motto speaks to enduring duty, this personal maxim reflects a dynamic engagement with the challenges of the present day. Together, they form a symbolic framework for the House’s activities: honouring the past with fortitude while actively shaping a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The same spirit of duty that drove Nichola de la Haye to defend the vulnerable now animates the House's modern charitable commitments. The principle of noblesse oblige—that privilege entails responsibility—has been translated into a focused philanthropic mission.
The foremost expression of this is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House's primary fundraising initiative. The sole beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapy and support for children suffering from trauma. The choice of beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the ancient duty of the strong to protect the innocent—a modern parallel to defending a kingdom’s future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Nichola de la Haye’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is defined not by circumstance, but by character. To hold this title is to be the custodian of her example, among others. Her fortitude inspires our work today, reminding us that honour is best expressed through service to others.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us a blueprint for principled action. Nichola’s loyalty was not passive; it was an active, courageous defence of order and legitimacy. We strive to apply that same active commitment, whether through our philanthropic work or the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, which seeks to foster etiquette as a form of social respect and cohesion.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this powerful heritage informs its future endeavours. A significant focus is the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being raised with a deep understanding of the history of the Barony and the duties it entails. He is taught that the legacy of Colswein, Nichola de la Haye, and John of Gaunt is not a prize, but a profound and lifelong responsibility.
This commitment extends to the House’s public-facing activities. The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will continue its work in cultural and etiquette education, while preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet. Through these actions, the House ensures that its nine-hundred-year-old promise—to serve with fortitude and honour—continues to be fulfilled.
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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 has oriented its modern mission toward philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House’s official seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, reflecting a continuous nine-century connection to the region. The principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Additionally, the House promotes social graces and cultural heritage through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, based in Bucharest. The House is dedicated to embodying its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through meaningful contemporary action and responsible stewardship of its formidable legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman-era lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby among them. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by several of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the first Duke of Lancaster; and the influential royal prince, John of Gaunt. This historic title, with its rights and responsibilities, continues to be formally recognised, as affirmed by its official notice in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is subject to official recognition, most recently in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding extensive lordships in Lincolnshire, including Brattleby. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage 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