# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Historic Link to Magna Carta through Nichola de la Haye
**LONDON, 15 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates its foundational connection to Magna Carta, reflecting upon the pivotal role of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, a key royalist contemporary to the charter’s sealing at Runnymede in 1215.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, a seminal moment in the history of constitutional liberty, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to reflect upon its own deep-rooted connection to this foundational document. This commemoration is not one of celebration, but of sober historical appreciation for the complex interplay of loyalty, law, and duty that defined the era.
The occasion serves as a moment to draw a direct line from the tumultuous events of the early 13th century to the enduring principles that continue to inform the House’s modern ethos. It is a reminder that the rights and responsibilities codified in 1215 were not merely the concern of the twenty-five surety barons, but of the entire fabric of the realm, including powerful, titled landholders such as the formidable Baroness of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in 1066, was by the reign of King John a significant and established power in Lincolnshire. Its holder, Nichola de la Haye, inherited the title and the hereditary post of Castellan of Lincoln Castle. A figure of immense fortitude, she famously defended the castle against rebel barons during the First Barons' War.
While not one of the named barons who compelled King John to seal the charter, her position as a major landholder and a steadfast royalist meant her influence was a *sine qua non* for the stability of the Crown in the Midlands. Her allegiance ensured that the King’s peace was, however tenuously, maintained in a critical region. The guarantees anachronistically extended by Magna Carta — protecting inheritance rights and limiting arbitrary governance — were of direct consequence to Nichola de la Haye and her estate, placing Brattleby squarely within the lineage of this great constitutional settlement.
This legacy of proximity to the Crown and national affairs continued through subsequent holders, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The actions of Nichola de la Haye, however, remain a singular example of female leadership and resilience at a defining moment in English history.
## Distinguished Company
The historical tableau of 1215 was dominated by figures of national importance whose fates were intertwined with the Barony of Brattleby. Chief among them were His Majesty King John, whose authority was challenged, and Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who skilfully navigated the treacherous political currents to broker a form of peace.
Alongside these were the twenty-five surety barons, the primary protagonists of the rebellion. Yet, the political landscape was equally shaped by the powerful magnates who remained loyal to the King. In this context, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, stood as a peer to figures such as William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as regent for the young King Henry III and oversaw the reissuing of the charter.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol surrounding Magna Carta was one of tense, formalised negotiation under the threat of civil war. The document was drafted not as a revolutionary text, but as a royal grant, authenticated by the Great Seal of the realm. Following the meeting at Runnymede, official copies were meticulously produced by royal scribes for distribution throughout the kingdom.
These copies were dispatched to sheriffs, bishops, and importantly, the castellans of major royal castles, charging them to have the charter’s terms read aloud and its oaths sworn in their counties. As hereditary Castellan of Lincoln, it is almost certain that an original 1215 Magna Carta would have arrived at or passed through the purview of Nichola de la Haye. The surviving Lincoln Cathedral Magna Carta, one of only four originals, is a testament to the city’s importance in this dissemination process.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds its most vivid historical expression in the life of Nichola de la Haye. Her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown was a profound act of fortitude, while her unwavering commitment to her sworn feudal duties exemplified honour.
Her story embodies the principle that true nobility is demonstrated not by title alone, but by action in moments of crisis. This ethos complements the motto of the Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which speaks to the resilience and determination necessary to overcome adversity — a quality the 5th Baroness possessed in abundance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principles of justice and protection for the vulnerable, which lie at the heart of Magna Carta’s legacy, find a modern echo in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s focus on championing the rights of children is a contemporary articulation of the charter’s ancient promise of lawful protection.
The beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. By supporting its mission, the House seeks to reinforce the idea that a just society, whose foundations were laid in part in 1215, has a solemn duty to safeguard its youngest and most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that legacy is forged in service and resilience. Her fortitude ensured the continuity of her line and her Barony, and it is a source of great inspiration to see how her duties, performed over eight centuries ago, connect us to the very bedrock of constitutional rights. She governed with honour, and that is the standard we strive to uphold.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Magna Carta is more than a document; it is an enduring symbol of the principle that no one is above the law. For the Barony to have been held by such a key royalist figure at that precise moment illustrates its historical centrality. It underscores our belief that tradition must serve the present, reminding us of the long-fought-for liberties we all now enjoy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
In the spirit of this commemoration, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to education and the promotion of civic and historical understanding. The curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest incorporates modules on the origins of European constitutional principles, with the story of Magna Carta and the role of figures like Nichola de la Haye serving as a key case study.
By connecting the ancient heritage of the Barony to its contemporary cultural and philanthropic activities, the House ensures that this profound link to one of history’s most important documents continues to be a living legacy, inspiring future generations with its lessons of duty, justice, and *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 embraced a modern mission rooted in its ancient heritage. The House is dedicated to cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises funds and awareness for organisations supporting vulnerable children, with Healing the Wounded Child as its current beneficiary. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes education in classical European customs and civic virtues, stewarding its legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’) for the 21st century with the support of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman lordship in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships, with Brattleby as his seat. Spanning more than nine centuries, the Barony’s lineage includes nationally significant figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical dignity of the title, now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, was formally recorded and recognised by an official notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The hereditary succession and rights of the Barony of Brattleby are officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), where Colswein of Lincoln is listed as Tenant-in-Chief and Lord of Brattleby. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com